Iron Angels 1-3

Details

IRON ANGELS 1-3 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, with locations in Bridgeport, CT, Denver, CO, Toronto, ON, and Pittsburgh, PA (opening soon!).

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.

This listing is for the standard edition 2-Disc Blu-ray. The limited edition slipcase (designed by Tony Stella) was limited to 5,000 units and is sold out. The two versions are identical, aside from the slipcase and 40-page book.

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In the world of Hong Kong action cinema, Teresa Woo doesn't have the same notoriety as many of the other big-name directors. However, unbeknownst to many, she is responsible for bringing us one of the most exhilarating action franchises, the Iron Angels series. Filled with bone-breaking brawls and bullet-riddled action set pieces, Vinegar Syndrome Archive proudly presents this inexplicably overlooked trio of explosive martial arts films for the first time on Blu-ray in the United States.

Iron Angels (aka Fighting Madam, 93 min): After drug enforcement officials destroy opium fields in Thailand, disrupting a global drug network known as the "Golden Triangle," the officers responsible for the raid are one by one targeted for assassination by the violent cartel. Unable to stop the bloodshed, the government turns towards an elite "spies-for-hire" group known as the Iron Angels. Saijo, the legendary Angel #1, is accompanied by two beautiful and deadly agents, Moon and Elaine, and the trio is then partnered with an American DEA operative named Alex. Together, they discover that the ruthless Madam Yeung has violently taken over the criminal enterprise, and the Iron Angels must stop at nothing to take her down. Soon, the agents find themselves in a bloody fight against Madam Yeung and her group of killers, led by her right-hand man, Mr. Chang (played by fan-favorite Hwang Jang-Lee). 

Iron Angels II (aka Fighting Madam 2, 97 min): Now an Iron Angel himself, Alex goes on vacation with Elaine and Moon for much-needed rest and relaxation after completing a dangerous mission. While in Malaysia, Alex meets up with two old friends, Peter and Marco, to enjoy some laughs and reminisce. However, the stakes become deadly when Alex discovers that the CIA is secretly investigating his wealthy friend Peter for funding a government coup. To make matters worse, Elaine has fallen for Peter and soon finds herself held captive by his private army upon discovering his secret. With the help of Iron Angel Kharina, Alex and Moon must head into the jungle to get Elaine back, culminating in a bloody showdown between the Iron Angels and Peter's private army.

Iron Angels III (aka Return of Iron Angels, 92 min): The Iron Angels are back once again, this time to stop an international terrorist organization hellbent on starting a war between Thailand and Vietnam. Moon must go undercover as a deadly assassin to infiltrate the terrorist group as they are planning to assassinate several high-ranking government officials. In the meantime, Alex and Kharina are partnered with a young newcomer named Kwai and a tech specialist nicknamed "Computer" to assist Moon. However, after losing contact with Moon, it is up to the other Iron Angels to try and stop the assassinations before it is too late. When the group gets word of a potential attack at a government summit, Alex and Kwai jump into action and quickly find themselves in the middle of an all-out battle, good thing they are armed with machine gun-mounted jet packs!

Iron Angels: 1987 / 93 min / 1.85:1 / Cantonese, English, Mandarin
Iron Angels II: 1988 / 97 min / 1.85:1 / Cantonese, English
Iron Angels III: 1989 / 92 min / 1.85:1 / Cantonese, English, Mandarin

directed by: Teresa Woo
starring: Moon Lee, Hideki Saijô, Alex Fong, Elaine Lui, Hwang Jang-Lee, Ting-Wai Chan, Ralph Chen, Kharina Isa, Mark Steinborn
1987-1989 / 282 min (combined) / 1.85:1 / Cantonese, English Mono

Additional info:

• 2-disc Region Free Blu-ray Set
  
• Newly restored by VS from existing studio masters
• All films are presented with their original Cantonese language soundtracks with newly translated English subtitles, in addition to English language dub soundtracks
• Mandarin language dub soundtracks are included for Iron Angels and Iron Angels III
• Commentary track with film historian & author Samm Deighan for Iron Angels
• Commentary track with martial arts film expert Frank Djeng for both Iron Angels II and III
• "Meeting an Angel" (21 min) - a discussion between actress Elaine Lui and Hong Kong film historian Arnaud Lanuque
• "The Angels Go To War" (18 min) - an interview with production manager Johnny Lee
• "Three Directors and an Angel" (30 min) - an interview with executive director Raymond Leung
• "The Shadow Action Director" (33 min) - an interview with acting director Stanley Tong
• "Angels Shed No Tears" (9 min) - a video essay by Frankie Balboa
• Original trailers for Iron Angels and Iron Angels II
• 40-page perfect bound book with essays by Michelle Kisner, Madelyn Sutton, and Erica Shultz
• Newly translated English subtitles