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4K Ultra HD

Lifeline

4.6
Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 Stars (311 Reviews)
Regular price  $34.99
Sale price  $34.99 Regular price  $49.98
Only 186 items in stock!

LIFELINE is part of our Vinegar Syndrome Archive collection, celebrating forgotten cinematic oddities from the video store era. This collection was inspired by our own brick & mortar video stores.

Unique to this line, each hand numbered limited edition release will come fitted in a specially designed, bottom loading VHS inspired slipcase, while also including a double-sided poster.

These releases will ONLY be available on our website and at participating indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them. This slipcase edition is strictly limited to 5,000 units and may (but probably not) be followed by a standard edition in the future.

Description

Yau Sui is an arrogant firefighter working at a tight-knit Hong Kong fire station where he and his fellow firefighters believe their station is cursed due to the constant hardships they must face. Yau Sui struggles with trying to rise in the ranks of his department and his skill as a leader becomes challenged when a new senior officer is transferred to their station. In the meantime, Yau Sui sparks a relationship with a troubled doctor and he, like the rest of his fellow firefighters, struggles to maintain a balance between his personal and professional life. However, the drama comes to a head when a catastrophic five-alarm fire in a chemical plant forces Yau Sui and the other firefighters to put aside their differences and work together in an attempt to break their station's curse.

LIFELINE, described by many as Hong Kong's answer to Backdraft, is masterfully directed by one of Hong Kong's most celebrated filmmakers, Johnnie To (The Heroic Trio, PTU). Focussing heavily on the personal lives of the characters, the film succeeds by not only being a strong study of the hardships firefighters must endure, but by also delivering intense stunt-filled action sequences, culminating in a nearly 45-minute non-stop climactic fire sequence. Vinegar Syndrome Archive is proud to present LIFELINE on 4K UHD for the first time, newly restored from the original camera negative, featuring beautifully photographed and pulse-pounding fire sequences unlike any you've seen before.

Details

Director(s): Johnnie To

Starring: Ching Wan Lau, Alex Fong, Carman Lee, Ruby Wong, Raymond Ho-Yin Wong

Release Year: 1997

Runtime: 110 min

Aspect Ratio(s): 1.85:1

Language(s): Cantonese

Sound: Mono, Stereo

Subtitles: English

Format: 4K UHD/Blu-ray

Disc Info: 2-disc Set: 4K Ultra HD / Region A Blu-ray

Restoration: 4K UHD presented in High-Dynamic-Range; Newly scanned and restored in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative

Packaging Artist(s): Tony Stella

Genre: Action

VS Release Date: May 1, 2024

SKU: VSA-043

Bonus Content
  • Brand new interview with director Johnnie To (27 min)
  • Brand new interview with special effects artist Chi Shui-Tim (10 min)
  • Johnnie To in the 1990s - a video essay by film historian Samm Deighan (18 min)
  • Archival Making-of Documentary (15 min)
  • Archival interview with director Johnnie To (4 min)
  • Archival interview with actress Ruby Wong (3 min)
  • Archival interview with actor Raymond Ho-Yin Wong (2 min)
  • Original trailer
  • 28-page booklet with an essay by film critic Sean Gilman
  • 16.5 x 22” double-sided full-color poster
  • Reversible sleeve artwork
Trailers / Videos
Label Bio

The Vinegar Syndrome Archive sub-label celebrates forgotten cinematic oddities from the video store era. This collection was inspired by our own brick & mortar video stores, with locations in Bridgeport, CT, Denver, CO, Pittsburgh, PA, Minneapolis, MN, and Toronto, ON!

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Customer Reviews
4.6
Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars
Based on 311 reviews
93%would recommend this product
311 reviews
  • BP
    16mm Member
    Bo P.
    Verified Buyer
    Yesterday
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Hot Stuff

    Super Cool movie, I agree with others that this is way better than Backdraft. Beautiful slip and presentation

    Quality / PackagingRated 5.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
    Shopping ExperienceRated 5.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
  • ED
    70mm Member
    Evan D.
    Verified Buyer
    6 days ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Throw me a life line!

    Absolutely recommended for fans of Hong Kong cinema, disaster movies, practical special effects and Johnnie To's filmmaking.

    If you enjoyed Backdraft, this is an essential companion piece. In some respects, the fire sequences are even more impressive.

    Quality / PackagingRated 5.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
    Shopping ExperienceRated 5.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
  • TK
    8mm Member
    Theo K.
    Verified Buyer
    1 week ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Great film

    Fantastic movie in a great package. Some great features.

    Quality / PackagingRated 5.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
    Shopping ExperienceRated 5.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
  • CC
    35mm Member
    CHAN C. T.
    Verified Buyer
    3 weeks ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Intense Johnnie To firefighter drama

    Balances a lot of station soap-opera drama with some genuinely terrifying, practical-effects fire sequences. That massive climax is just relentless.

    Quality / PackagingRated 5.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
    Shopping ExperienceRated 5.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
  • DK
    70mm Member
    Dan K.
    Verified Buyer
    3 weeks ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    beatiful action shaw brothers movie

    artwork looks even more pristine in person

    Quality / PackagingRated 5.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
    Shopping ExperienceRated 5.0 on a scale of 1 to 5

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Everything ships in sturdy boxes that are well-packed with bubble bags and/or packaging paper. Most shipments are shipped via USPS or FedEx.

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Yes! Learn more about Canadian and International shipping here.

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Most in-stock orders will ship within 2-5 business days, but please allow extra processing time for orders placed during holidays and during/after website sale events.

Note: Pre-Orders will not ship until all new products are in stock (see more below).

When do Pre-Orders ship?

Orders containing pre-order items typically begin shipping mid-month. Exact timing depends on when all items arrive at our warehouse.

Do you offer returns or exchanges?

All sales are final and we do not offer returns or exchanges unless items were damaged during shipping.

What is Order Stacking?

This is a term we developed to describe the act of merging several orders into one large package. As long as you have an current order that has not been fulfilled, you are eligible to stack!

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