Product Details
 | House of Traps |
| List Price: | $19.98 |
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Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #81005 in DVD
- Brand: Image Entertainment
- Released on: 2008-09-09
- Rating: Unrated
- Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Formats: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
- Original language: Mandarin Chinese
- Subtitled in: English
- Dimensions: .25 pounds
- Running time: 95 minutes
Editorial Reviews
Album Description
From the creator of the popular Deadly Venoms martial arts series comes the most diabolical entry of them all! The incredible Venoms, a team of skilled fighters, unleash their fury in a bloody frenzy when they infiltrate a mysterious, treasure-filled house designed to entrap and destroy all those who enter it-- as fiendishly and creatively as possible! One of the rarest and most-requested Shaw Brothers action masterpieces, now presented restored and uncut in all its outrageous glory! Includes the original Chinese language version (with English subtitles) as well as the extremely rare original English dubbed track
From the creator of the popular Deadly Venoms martial arts series comes the most diabolical entry of them all! The incredible Venoms, a team of skilled fighters, unleash their fury in a bloody frenzy when they infiltrate a mysterious, treasure-filled house designed to entrap and destroy all those who enter it-- as fiendishly and creatively as possible! One of the rarest and most-requested Shaw Brothers action masterpieces, now presented restored and uncut in all its outrageous glory! Includes the original Chinese language version (with English subtitles) as well as the extremely rare original English dubbed track
Customer Reviews
First Bonzai, now Image
As I've written in other reviews, not as many as Morgoth though, I'm a huge Shaw Brothers fan and Chang Cheh completist. Chang and his godsons, the Venoms, bid a fond farewell in 1981 to their four year/nineteen film series with this period piece (Sung Dynasty) martial epic. It's complete with the ubiquitous Chang Cheh traits like brotherhood, chivalry, greed, corruption, honor, copious bloodletting & kung fu madness. I've read that it's a "complete" Venom film. Not really, it's missing Lo Mang, Wei Pai & Johnny Wang (who was working with Lau Kar-Leung at the time). However, it does have his core Venoms like Kuo Chui, Lu Feng, the late Chiang Sheng, Wang Li, Sun Chien (who unfortunately doesn't flash his Iron Feet here), along with Yu Tai-Ping, Ricky Cheng, Chu Ke, Chien Hsiao-Hao & "Spearman" Lung Tien-Sheng.
First the movie; the trailer states that it's based on a novel. I did not know that, but that would explain its prologue, extended dialogue scenes & a "period" plot concerning Prince Yang's quest for revenge against Lord Bao. This involves a revolt, stolen Imperial valuables which are secured in a building filled with lethal traps (the House of the title; one of the traps is a staircase where the stairs become blades) & spies (who are responsible for the martial mayhem.) Many cool venomous fight scenes are tucked inside the complicated plot which also involves two opposing knight-errants, the Black Fox (Kuo Chui) & Butterfly (Lu Feng), a group known as the Four Rats, a list & a hidden painting that reveals the prince's dark past. All this intrigue concludes in a ten minute finale which is absolutely jaw-dropping. The Venoms really outdid themselves with the choreography pitting Wang Li (with double hook swords) versus Chu Ke & Chiang Sheng and Lu Feng (using a spear & darts) versus Kuo Chui (using a short-handled broadsword) which takes place in a huge opulent room decorated with ornate vases/furniture and curtains (kinda like the finale in "Five Deadly Venoms"). Amazing stuff here.
Now for the DVD; the one I own was released by Bonzai Entertainment who also did a fantastic job with "The Weird Man" & "Ten Tigers of Kwantung", but they totally botched it with "The Magnificent Ruffians" a.k.a. "The Destroyers". I don't know what happened there. Anyway, Image Entertainment's DVD has a scratch-free picture, widescreen presentation, Mandarin & English soundtrack in DTS digital, and easy to read English subtitles. Given Image Entertainment's past efforts (who I've praised in other reviews) this DVD expectedly looks as good as the Bonzai version. However, for those of you looking for an English dub, it's here, but it was those inferior UK voices who also messed up the English dub for "Legendary Weapons of China." Just my opinion though.
Rare Treat For Venom's Fans!!!
Wonderful film. Indeed this DVD is released with english dubs included. Venom's fans are very lucky indeed. The plot may be straightforward but the choreographing is superb in this film. There is tangible tension between (at then) feuding venom actors Kuo Chui and Lu Feng. Wang Li (6th venom in my book) gives a stunning performance during the finally fighting. Enough cannnot be said of his use with that weapon. This film's bootleg copies down the years were basically unwatchable. Anyone defaming the remastered release of such a rare venoms treat isn't really much of a VENOM'S fan. A must have R1 release for Venom's fans. Here's a quick synopsis:
This rare film had circulated for decades as a bootleg (basically) unwatchable for english speaking fans. i've just veiwed the remastered version and i must say i was very pleased with every aspect of this film. the storyline, the acting, the plot, and especially the fighting. all are spot on solid. the fighting near the end is amazing, especially on Wang Li's and Lu Feng's parts.
One of the princes decides he's gonna revenge his father's premature death. so he builds the House Of Traps to accomplish this end. Lu Feng starts the story off with stealing a precious jade horse presenting it to said prince for proof of his loyalty. they decide to lock it up in the House Of Traps in case the emperor gets any smart ideas. after some appropriate storyline dynamics Kuo Chui shows up with the Pearl Crown to express his loyalty to the scheming prince. Lu Feng and he already exhibit some animosity with Kuo's copy cat offer to the prince. Kuo then heads out to further prove his loyalty.
Chien Hsiao-hou does a great job fighting and acting wise. Though he's in no way the lead actor in the film.
The film has an excellent cast: Wang Li (Lord Bao), Lu Feng (Butterfly Hua), Kuo Chui (Black Fox), Lung Tien-chiang / spearman of death guy (Shen Zhong Yuan), Sun Chien (Yan Chun Min), Chiang Sheng (The River Rat).
The pacing is just fine. there's plenty of action interjecting the dialogue throughout the entire film and the storyline is solid.
The fighting throughout is superb, especially between Kuo Chui and Lu Feng, also near the end between Wang Li and his two opponents Chiang Sheng and his partner. Wang Li does this great move with his weapon. as Wang is engaged with Chiang and co. he locks his two hooked swords together by the hooks and swings them at his adversary then unhooks them and continues his barrage on his two opponents. dosen't sound like much, but the seemless flow to this very well practiced choreographed scene is highly impressive. in fact, the choreographing throughout the film, especially near the end is incredibly well rehearsed. it flows very naturally and comes off extremely realistic as a result. near the end of the film I found myself endlessly rewinding fight scenes to see just how well orchestrated they actually were. we're talking lighting fast, real speed, choreographing here.
(an after thought) You kinda get the feeling Chang Cheh was somewhat in someway trying to accomodate Kuo Chui and Lu Feng during their confrontations so as to not incite (actual) resentment with favoring either's role (or character) with being the more proficient killer while filming House Of Traps for fear of either actor possibly walking angrily off the set, as they are very evenly matched here. i don't know, just passed through my mind while watchin the end fights, especially.
Oh, by the way, i'd definitely give this film a 8.5/10
Simply Awesome
At this point, Director Chang Cheh was an insane genius and his Venom Mob was flawless. Yes, this is basically the same Chang story about brotherhood, greed, and political corruption with newer and senior Venoms in their usual hero or villain roles and the plot can be hard to follow at times. On the other hand, the costumes, weaponry/gadgets, Star Wars like music, trademark dubbed voices, and superb Martial Arts make this a must for all Venom fans. I just recently learned of the offscreen friction between Kuo Chui and Lu Feng. It was great to see them performing together like true professionals along with Chiang Sheng, Sun Chien (who doesn't fight here unfortunately), Wang Li, Chu Ke, Cheng Tien Chi and several others. Kuo Chui is always a joy to watch. He steals the show once again with his versatility and charisma. After watching House of Traps, I started digging up my other Venoms flicks. Only a few of them look and sound this good. I'm happy to see all of the old Shaw Brothers films being remastered. I'm just craving more Venom reissues like Chinatown Kid, Magnificent Ruffians, and Daredevils for example. Chang and his boys were simply awesome.
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