MEN FROM THE GUTTER 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.
Unique to this line, each 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 spot gloss slipcase edition (designed by Haunt Love) is strictly limited to 5,000 units and includes a 40-page perfect bound book. This release may (but probably not) be followed by a standard edition in the future.
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On the grimy streets of working-class Hong Kong, some merely scheme to get out, and someone has returned to exact savage vengeance. After a cop is killed in cold blood, detectives Qui and Zhou begin tracking a trio of lowly ex-cons plotting a jewel heist. The hoods hope to land a score that'll finally allow them to leave town, while the cops are chasing a corporate kingpin active in the heroin trade. Meanwhile, a steely yet inconspicuous hitman has arrived from Thailand, eager to take out that same kingpin for having crossed him. While chasing down leads from gun dealers and drug pushers, the police repeatedly encounter these various criminals as the desperation mounts. In a race across smoky gambling dens, cheap love hotels, seedy bars, and dingy warehouses, who will make it out of town alive?
Combining elements of gritty Eurocrime with a jolt of Michael Mann style, MEN FROM THE GUTTER is a crime thriller bursting with powerfully realistic violence. Only the second film directed by Ngai Choi Lam (Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky), it exhibits astonishingly sharp technique in a riveting story that never lets up. This sorely overlooked entry from the Shaw Brothers' waning years relies on cleverly alternating plotlines to showcase a wide variety of brutal action, all to a throbbing synth-heavy score. Starring Michael Miu Kiu Wai (The Legend of the Condor Heroes), Lo Meng (Five Deadly Venoms), Parkman Wong (The Killer), and a jaw-dropping, stunt-heavy performance by Jason Pai Piao (The Chinese Boxer), Vinegar Syndrome Archive is proud to bring to the surface this raw, sunken gem, newly restored from its original camera negative.
directed by: Ngai Choi Lam (as Nai-Tsai Lan)
starring: Jason Piao Pai, Jung Wang (as Yung Wang), Meng Lo, Michael Kiu Wai Miu (as Chiao-Wei Miao)
1983 / 88 min / 2.35:1 / Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
Additional info:
Overall rating: 4.7055836 / 5 from 197 reviews.
Men from the Gutter is a crime thriller praised for its intense action and realistic violence. This restored film from the Shaw Brothers' era features a gripping story with alternating plotlines and a synth-heavy score. Limited edition release includes a 40-page book, reversible sleeve artwork, and newly translated English subtitles.
Review topics: [quality, looks, box, picture, style, packaging, sound, work, case, buy, film, release, movie, flick, acting, thriller, features, gem, transfer, restoration, director, presentation, scenes, booklet, vsa, crime, title, score, brother, addition].
"This doesn’t reach his later heights of THE CAT or THE SEVENTH CURSE but this grisly crime thriller has much of Lam Nai-Choi’s directorial flare and of course his incredible evocative cinematography. I hope all the films he worked on make their way to upgraded physical media."
"What a gorgeous-looking Blu-ray presentation! I've loved the film for years, and had previously thought that the import DVD was as good as it would ever look (and it did look very nice for the DVD format). . . but this Vinegar Syndrome Blu-ray was simply stunning, and exceeded my expectations in terms of video and audio quality. Also, I wasn't expecting such impressive packaging! It comes housed in a beautifully designed chipboard box and includes a large, impressive booklet. I couldn't be more thrilled with the purchase, and I urge any and all fans of wild action cinema to buy this great release!"
"Banger of a Shaw Brother's release from you guys. Great packaging as always with the rigid slipcover and book. Super fun movie, so glad I picked it up!"
"Great slipcase, nice book, and some lovely artwork"
"Ooof, this is prime pre Cat 3 HK grime, a welcome discovery, incredible sequences and decent pacing. A must watch. One of the best HK directors."
"Awesome HK action hidden gem from the Shaw Bros. It was fun seeing some of the Shaw stars not in a period kung fu movie. Lots of guns, mellow drama, blood, and explosive action. The restoration looked great."
"Great to have this underrated gritty HK gangster classic on Blu-ray by vinegar Syndrome. From the director of such classics like Ricky O, seventh curse, peacock king and Her vengeance comes his first feature film from Shaw Brothers studios. It’s an absolute banger with crazy characters, grimy HK locations from the 80s and a finale so off the wall you’ll be rewinding it over and over again. Don’t sleep on this one it needs to be in every VS collection"
"This one stands out from the usual Asian crime movies ! Great photo and story . Violent men in a violent world . Great picture and sound and fine extras! Hope for more releases like this one. Recommend"
"I am a sucker for exploitation films, and have a new fixation with Shawbro films. So…. SOLD"
"Being familiar with Ngai Choi Lam’s later work, I went into this expecting the movie to be different. I think I didn’t have any disappointments as a result of that but since the body of work can be very varied, a lot of fans may be surprised. Men From the Gutter starts off a bit all over the place, and tightens up later on in the movie. The film discusses criminal elements from various social hierarchies and the dangerous roads it leads the men and their loved ones into. The last 20 minutes are action packed and jaw dropping as far as stunt work and production go. Getting there isn’t the smoothest ride but it’s not a slog either. The releases boasts impressive additional features including a 27 minute making of documentary and 13 minute video essay, as well as the essays included in the booklet. I also love the artwork for this release and its design adds to the griminess and exploitation of the movie. I think this is a movie I will rewatch later on and appreciate more with repeated viewings."
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