As a child of the ’80s, I had the pleasure of growing up in the era of the video store and during a time when B-movies were on television. My love for Kung Fu films was born during this time as well, when on Saturday mornings and afternoons you could find Kung Fu Theater. There were a few classics, but most were just cheap productions with even cheaper dubbing. This had a major influence on me, and my obsession was cemented.
Chang Cheh, one of Shaw’s most prolific and acclaimed directors, directed his first film in the ’50s and worked well into the ’90s, passing away in 2002. His influence on the genre is still felt today, as evidenced by classics such as Five Deadly Venoms (1978), The Boxer from Shantung (1972), and Disciples of Shaolin (1975). In 1984, he helmed one of the more bizarre entries in his catalog, The Nine Demons. Thanks to Visual Vengeance, it has a release worth adding to the collection.
The Nine Demons Gets a Worthy Release
After making a Faustian bargain with the devil, master fighter Zou Qi (Cheng Tien-Chi) gains the terrifying power to command nine ravenous demon spirits. Wielding a supernatural chain of skulls that unleashes the flesh-devouring fiends, he embarks on a brutal quest for vengeance against rival clans while trying to protect his childhood friend.
But each battle tightens the demons’ grip on his soul, leaving a trail of carnage. As the line between master and monster blurs, Zou Qi must confront the horrific price of his newfound power.
With the release of The Nine Demons, Visual Vengeance is stepping into uncharted territory. Most of their releases are shot on video, Super 8, or digital video, but this one was shot on real film. It’s a supernatural fantasy with wuxia elements that takes whatever it can find, throws it onto the screen, and hopes for the best. Whether it works or not is of no importance. Watching it is like being on the best possible acid trip.
RELATED: ‘Born a Ninja & Commando the Ninja’ (1988) Blu-ray Review: Godfrey Ho’s Cut and Paste Ninja Extravaganza
As with most Visual Vengeance releases, there are plenty of special features to sink your teeth into, beyond the amazingly restored 2K transfer from the original film elements. There’s a commentary track with martial arts film historians Justin Decloux and Dylan Chang, two video essays, an interview with actor Yu Tai-Ping, an episode of the Unsung Horrors Podcast, an old-school “dirty VHS” version of the film, an image gallery, both dubbed and original Chinese-language versions, a mini poster, trailers, a liner notes booklet, and more.
Who doesn’t love a wacky, low-budget martial arts film that delivers every minute of its runtime? The Nine Demons is sure to please fans of the genre. The presentation is exactly what I was hoping for, especially the “dirty VHS” version.
We’re hardworking geeks who love to geek out, but we can’t do it without you! If you enjoyed this article and want to see more like it, please consider tipping our writers. Also, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
