This listing is for the standard edition Blu-ray. The limited edition slipcover (designed by Chris Barnes) was limited to 6,000 units and is sold out. The two versions are identical, aside from the slipcover.
Notorious even amongst Hong Kong’s Cat III films, A CHINESE TORTURE CHAMBER STORY 1 & 2 remain some of the most outrageous entries in the genre, thanks to their shameless blending of explicit sex and extreme violence all played with a touch of macabre humor. Unfolding like a set of Shaw Bros wuxia films gone horribly wrong, both take full advantage of their period settings to indulge in the grisly details of all types of archaic torture. Vinegar Syndrome is proud to present these two jaw-dropping highlights of early 90's Hong Kong exploitation filmmaking on Blu-ray for the first time in the U.S., newly and exclusively restored from their original negatives and presented completely uncut, along with the never-on-disc presentation of the Mandarin language edit of A CHINESE TORTURE CHAMBER STORY featuring exclusive and alternate scenes.
A CHINESE TORTURE CHAMBER STORY - A beautiful young woman named Little Cabbage is sold by her family to a wealthy scholar named Yang in order to become his future concubine. However, Yang's overbearing wife becomes jealous of Little Cabbage and arranges to have her married off to a well-endowed peasant. When Little Cabbage's new husband is found dead, poisoned by a powerful aphrodisiac, Little Cabbage and Yang are brought in front of a bloodthirsty court to face charges of conspiring to commit murder. Maintaining their innocence, Little Cabbage and Yang are forced to endure unspeakable torture at the hands of a corrupt judge in an attempt to make them confess. Cleverly told in a series of flashbacks, this horrific and hilarious film features wall-to-wall sex and violence, culminating in an explosive "climax" unlike anything you've seen before.
A CHINESE TORTURE CHAMBER STORY II - Ma, a man rising in the ranks of politics, is traveling to the capital when he is accosted by two down-on-their-luck bandits, Wong and Cheung. Taking pity on the two lowly peasants, Ma agrees to help his new friends better their lives, partly due to Ma's attraction to Wong's sister (who also happens to be Cheung's fiancée), the young and beautiful Lotus. When they all arrive in the capital to take Ma up on his generous offer, they discover that Ma has embroiled them in an elaborate con, and soon find themselves caught up in a saga of jealousy, betrayal, and of course...torture. An equally deranged follow-up to its infamous predecessor, this in-name-only sequel does its best to increase not only the amount of sex and eroticism, but also the levels of cringe-inducing violence.
directed by: Bosco Lam, Kin-Nam Cho starring: Yvonne Hung Yung, Lawrence Ng, Mai Ching, King-Tan Yuen, Mark Cheng, Yolinda Yam, Wai-Kin Lam
Part #1 (1994) Cantonese Version: 93 min / 1.85:1 / Cantonese & English Mono Mandarin Version: 92 min / 1.85:1 / Mandarin Mono
Part #2 (1998) 92 min / 1.85:1 / Cantonese & Mandarin Mono
Additional info:
2-disc Region Free Blu-ray Set
Newly scanned and restored in 2K from their 35mm original negatives
Commentary track with film historian Samm Deighan (Part #1)
Commentary track with film historian Frank Djeng (Part #2)
Alternate 92-minute Mandarin language edit of A CHINESE TORTURE CHAMBER STORY with newly translated English subtitles
Brand new interview with Wong Jing, producer of A Chinese Torture Chamber Story 1 & 2 (5 min)
"The CAT III Films of Wong Jing" (17 min) - a video essay by Justin Decloux of The Important Cinema Club
"Titillating Torture" (18 min) - a video essay by film historian Erica Shultz
Original Cantonese and English trailers for A Chinese Torture Chamber Story
Original Cantonese trailer for A Chinese Torture Chamber Story II
English opening title sequence for A Chinese Torture Chamber Story
Booklet with an essay by film historian and author Grady Hendrix
Reversible sleeve artwork
Newly translated English subtitles
Overall rating: 4.671875 / 5 from 256 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
This limited edition Blu-ray set of A Chinese Torture Chamber Story 1 & 2 is praised for its excellent transfer, captivating movie, fantastic release, and special features. Customers appreciate the beautiful packaging, engaging commentary tracks, and insightful video essays. The slipcover and artwork add to the overall appeal, making it a must-have for fans of the genre.
"Transfer looks great, and the packaging and booklet are also top notch." — Todd H.
"Both films look excellent, and the supplemental features are interesting." — Jason B.
"Very good special features with the commentary tracks, visual essays and booklet." — Adam C.
Reviews
Great Double Feature
"I've seen plenty of reviewers saying the first movie is great while the sequel is meh, but I actually enjoyed both of these. The sequel actually takes a more serious tone, complete with a downbeat ending. I enjoyed the contrast to the first film's over-the-top mix of comedy, gore, and unhinged vulgarity. I avoided buying this one for awhile, despite enjoying all of my cinematic trips to Hong Kong's CAT 3 world. I thought a "torture" film might be too heavy, but nah, these films were entertaining to the highest degree. Grab this double feature if you haven't yet."
— NICHOLAS K. (5/5)
Great !
"Once again, two HK cinema gems. The first is a wild, over-the-top ride fueled by a massive dose of humor, whereas the sequel is a bleak, nihilistic descent without a hint of comic relief. For me, the first A Chinese Torture Chamber Story takes the crown. It’s an absolute essential for any Category III completionist!"
— Daniel B. (4/5)
Extreme torture from HK in double bill
"A nice collection of these period pieces that feature a lot of torturous mayhem while also being quite beautifully shot, these 2 films are Cat. III films of the highest exploitation order and are for fans who know what they get into. The slipcover and A/V quality are up to the usual standard, which means they are great!"
— Tim V. (4/5)
Very good release
"Beautiful slipcover. Recommended for horror aficionados."
— Paulo A. (5/5)
Crazy collection of Cat III films
"Both of these movies are sick and depraved in their own unique way. I'd argue the first film is the better of the two, but the sequel is packaged along with it so you can't really complain! My only gripe is the subtitles moved a little quickly at times for me."
— Branden Y. (5/5)
great!
"Both fascinating and worthwhile films, and both very different in tone and execution, which makes for a great set. Gorgeous restorations and great special features including commentary tracks from two of the best folks in the game - Samm Deighan & Frank Djeng."
— William M. (5/5)
Torture time!!!
"What a great pair of exploitation flicks with a great mix of sleaze, tits and torture. Tons of great extras including an alternate cut of the first part, some stuff talking about CAT III, video essays and trailers!"
— Evan D. (5/5)
Nice double feature
"A weird mix of aventure, romance, erotism, horror. As expected."
— Brice D. (5/5)
A Chinese Torture Chamber Story
"well put together release"
— Jason S. (5/5)
Crazy films
"Went in blind and got more than I expected. Great packaging and presentation but these movies weren’t for me."
— Nathanial P. (5/5)
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