Plot: What’s it about?
Kwai Chang Caine (David Carradine) is a man on the run, as he has to leave his home behind and start again. He faces not only a new land and new home, but a new life in total, as his former way of life has been shattered. Caine studied the ways of Shaolin, enduring intense mental and physical training sessions, in order to master his craft. Master Kan (Philip Ahn) taught him how to blend his mind and body into one, as well as how to use the teachings to gain new perspective on the world around him. Caine has spent his life absorbing Kan’s lessons, but the time has come for the student to venture out into new realms. Now Caine wanders the western lands of America, in search of his brother and a fresh start in life. This journey was not all Caine’s wishes, but when a tragic turn of events unfolded, he had to take drastic measures. The Chinese Emperor’s nephew used a gun to dispatch Kan, killing the wise man in the fashion of a coward. This enraged Caine, to the extent that he avenged his teacher’s death with lethal force. Now Caine has come to America to avoid retaliation, as well as to find his brother. But as he travels the land, he runs into criminals, swindlers, and bounty hunters, all who stand in his path. Can Caine remain true to his Shaolin values, strike down the evil that he encounters, and complete his journey?
If you can snatch the pebble from my hand, you can read all of my comments about Kung Fu, which has finally reached DVD. This series became a smash success and won over audiences around the world, becoming a cultural icon in the process. Even now, references to Kung Fu can be found in countless films and when asked to detail inspirations, even young filmmakers often list this series. David Carradine (Kill Bill: Volume One, Death Race 2000) starred as Caine, one of the most popular and enduring characters in television history, but in the end, he was unable to attain the level of stardom most expected. His work in Kung Fu is excellent however and without question, his presence was a primary reason for the show’s success. The mixture of martial arts action, solid drama, and philosophy was conjured up to near perfection, just enough of each element to keep the series in balance. The action was fun to watch and added some spark, but Kung Fu strived to be more than a simple action series. As a result, the inspirational storylines and Caine’s philosophies added depth. So yes, Kung Fu was about martial arts and action scenes, but it had heart and a brain, not mention a soul. I am beyond thrilled to find Kung Fu released to DVD, though Warner’s visual alterations make me wince. Even so, the show is just too good to pass on, so for those interested, this first season is well worth a look.
Video: How does it look?
The episodes are presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. This is sure to spark some backlash, as Warner has tampered with the visuals. As seen on other Warner releases like the mini-series The Shining, a new matted version has been created, to replace the original full frame standard. This is cause for concern, as image is lost at the top & bottom of the screen, image that was supposed to be seen. Of course, some folks will be thrilled that the visuals fill up widescreen televisions, but this is just as bad as pan & scan, if you ask me. I didn’t notice any instances of heads being trimmed, but you can tell this was intended to be a full frame presentation, as the image here just seems too crowded. As far as technical merits, the episodes look terrific and show no real flaws, thanks to great source elements. So Kung Fu has perhaps never looked better, but the lack of a proper visual presentation is a disappointment.
Audio: How does it sound?
The included mono soundtracks ensure these episodes sound much like they would have on television, which is about all you can ask from this release. The sound effects & music come through well here, no age related issues surface and I was pleased with the overall clarity involved. If you’ve never seen the show, the music is very ’70s and sounds cool, which is why I am so glad it sounds good here. I had no problems with the dialogue either, as vocals were smooth & crisp at all times. This release also includes subtitles in English, Spanish, and French, just in case you’ll need those at some point.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This release includes two featurettes, each of which chronicles how this iconic series was brought to television screens. I had hoped for some commentary tracks from Carradine, but these featurettes are a welcome inclusion.
