(Hong Kong 1981)

Original Title: Shi Yao 屍妖 (aka) Corpse

 

Directed by Kuei Chih Hung Produced by Runme Shaw, Mona Fong Starring: Wany Yong, Tanny Tien Ni, Yau Chui Ling, Walter Tso, Tai Kwan Tak, Eric Chan, Lau Siu Kwan, Gam Biu, Jenny Leung Reviewing: Vinegar Syndrome US 4K UHD Blu-ray Release Genres: Horror / Thriller / Crime

 

Rating: 4.5 / 5

Vinegar Syndrome US 4K UHD Blu-ray Synopsis: After a defiled corpse is discovered in an abandoned building, Inspector Zhang recognizes the scene as being similar to other mutilated bodies that have been turning up in the area. Realizing that there is a deranged serial killer at large, Zhang's investigation soon leads him to a local brothel run by the headstrong Madame Lan, which appears to be the killer's hunting ground. While public suspicion soon falls on a recently released-from-prison necrophile, Zhang is unconvinced, believing that the killer and their motive are hiding in plain sight. Directed by horror maestro Chi-Hung Kwei (Hex, The Boxer's Omen), CORPSE MANIA masterfully fuses Shaw Brothers'well-regarded dramatic period pieces with the structure and style of the Italian giallo, offering foggy streets, gelled lighting, and grisly murders perpetuated by a black-clad killer. Moving from twist to twist and sure to leave viewers squirming in horror all the way to the end, Vinegar Syndrome is proud to present this essential Hong Kong horror on UHD, newly restored in 4K from its original camera negative, packed with extras, and featuring all the maggot-covered corpses one could ask for. (82 Mins)

 

Views: It's taken me four decades to see this highly talked about Shaw Brothers horror, and now after getting my hands of the stunning new 4K UHD release of Corpse Mania from Vinegar Syndrome – I can honestly say that the wait was worth it! In a nutshell, the film tells the tale of a crazed man who is obsessed with necrophilia and,in turn, becomes a murderer to please that obsession. After they are tipped-off, the local police enter his home to find his dead wife whose corpse is swamped in maggots and Mr. Li missing. Soon after, Li purchases a prostitute from the Drunken Heron – a local brothel that is run by a feisty madam. But she soon dies and Mr. Li tries to keep her body in the best possible condition in order to keep using her for sex. However, he is soon caught by the police and locked up in an asylum. After some time has passed, the chief of police (Zhang) is shocked to learn that Li has been released and, as expected, is back to his old tricks of murder and necrophilia. Now, Zhang and his men must find Li and put a stop to him once and for all before the body-count of the women from the Drunken Heron gets any higher!

 

From the brilliant mind of the hugely underrated Kuei Chih Hung – the same man behind dark classics such as The Bamboo House Of Dolls (1973), The Killer Snakes (1974), The Tea House (1974), The Gold Connection (1979), Killer Constable (1980), Bewitched (1981) as well as Hex (1980) and it's many supernatural sequels – Corpse Mania is absolutely one of his finest moments as a director of the horror genre. Director Kuei delivers (yet again) a production that sits with you for a long time, stepping aside from the usual Shaw Brothers style and keeping you on the edge of your seat with his intense story-telling and incredible approach to directing. I'm a huge fan of most of his works, and I have to say that Corpse Mania has very quickly become an added addition to that. While there have been a number of films since that have carried the taboo subject of necrophilia, Corpse Mania was definitely a bold approach for the Shaw Brothers studio. But it also comes across as a bit of a red herring by the end of the film, as it takes a brave turn in the second act that shifts things into a slasher film inspired by the hugely popular Italian giallo horror genre...

 

Popular Shaw Brothers actor Wang Yong, who had just starred for the director in his previous and brilliant horror outing Hex (1980), returns to star as Zhang – the Police Chief who is determined to put a stop to the madman that is torturing his city, working alongside Police Chief Liu played by the incredibly prolific and wonderful Walter Tso Tat Wah. With just slightly over 400 film credits to his name (clearly a very lazy actor), Tso began work in the industry as far back as 1936 and is probably more known to Hong Kong film fans in the West as the bumbling Police Superintendent of the Lucky Stars and Aces Go Places Series. The beautiful Tanny Tien Ni stars as Madam Lan, the ruler of the Drunken Heron brothel who carries her own dark secrets, with Yau Chui Ling and Jenny Leung starring as her unfortunate workers, with the latter having just worked for Kwei on Hex Versus Witchcraft (1980) and then going onto appear in his brilliant Bewitched (1981) right after this. Tai Kwan Tak, Eric Chan Ga Kei, and Lau Siu Kwan also star in prominent roles, but with the twists and surprising turns provided by Kuei Chih Hung I don't want to give anything away on their involvement – just note that they all do a fantastic job.

 

It was good to learn that the film was set in the city of Guangzhou, having just visited there a few weeks before watching this for the first time and absolutely falling in love with it – now a bustling metropolis with plenty of historic gems and beautiful sights. Interestingly, this is also the birth city of director Kuei Chih Hung who has (seemingly) set the time period around the decade of his birth – the 1930s. This setting is stunningly captured by cinematographer Lee San Yip who had just worked with Kuei through 1980 on Killer Constable, Coward Bastard, Hex, and Hex Versus Witchcraft respectively before going onto shoot Bewitched (1981), Hex After Hex (1982), Curse Of Evil (1982), Godfather From Canton (1982), and The Boxer's Omen (1983) for him after this. Throughout his career, Lee would also catch the cinematography for films such as City War (1988), The Peacock King (1989), Diary Of A Big Man (1988), A Terracotta Warrior (1989), Bloody Beast (1994) and Lau Kar Leung's Drunken Monkey (2003) which would also be his last. Here, in Corpse Mania, Lee captures every scene so beautifully – helped by the lighting talents of Lau Tit Chi and Chan Fen – that the cinematography of the film becomes just as much of star than the actors themselves. For me, Corpse Mania is one of the most beautiful and atmospheric horror films I have ever seen from the Shaw Brothers studio and with that, a film I would happily go back to time and time again. But it certainly wasn't the only highlight...

 

There's no denying Kuei's directional skills – hugely underrated and often overshadowed by the four big directors of the studio such as Chang Cheh, Lau Kar Leung, Chor Yuen, and Li Han Hsiang. And while many fans and critics alike feel that Bewitched (1981) was perhaps his finest moment in horror, I must argue that Corpse Mania is definitely right up there. Great performances and glorious cinematography aside, the film still offers plenty to keep viewers glued to the screen such as the gore filled, maggot-ridden deaths and murders enhanced by the brutal violence delivered by the killer in how he takes down those who are after him or even cross his path. I also loved the simplicity of the killers look – a dark blue long Changsan, with a white scarf around his neck and mouth, topped-off with a black hat and shades. And even though his identity was known to many, he still managed to carry a Jack The Ripper-style of menace and intimidation for the people of Guangzhou. While a Shaw Brothers movie, anyone expecting a fight-filled kung fu epic will most certainly be disappointed. Throughout the film, we are treated to one quick bout of martial arts which is pretty well done, with the only other 'moment' of action coming in when the police are practising their capture of the relentless killer. This scene was just brilliantly delivered although, as expected, never actually comes to fruition when the chance to capture the killer really comes about.

 

And while there is so much more about Corpse Mania that I'd love to share, I really don't want to take anything away from your viewing pleasure – especially if it is a first time watch for yourself as it was for me. Just know that, while not perfect in it's execution or subject-matter for many, Corpse Mania is definitely one of the finest horror titles to come from the extensive Shaw Brothers film catalogue – wonderfully directed by a man who never really did receive the credit and support he so well deserved. It's a solid killer-thriller with a nasty edge of necromancy, mystery, and memorable serial killer that should please any fan of old-school horror films or those of you looking for something beautifully dark. And while it may not instil fear like today's horror movies have the ability to do, Corpse Mania will most certainly sit with you for some time to come – and that's not a bad thing!

 

Overall: Stunningly shot, beautifully directed, and well executed in more ways than one, Corpse Mania is well worth seeing and one of my new favourite Shaw Brothers horrors!

 

Vinegar Syndrome 4K UHD Blu-ray Extras: 4K Restoration, Audio Commentary with Ming Beaver Kwei & Alan Chu, Audio Commentary by Samm Deighan, Interview with producer Lawrence Wong, Interview with cinematographer Lee San Yip, Interview with Kuei Chih Hung's son Ming Beaver Kwei, Kuei Chih Hung Master Of Horror Video Essay by Grady Hendrix

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Watch my unboxing video for this Vinegar Syndrome 4K Blu-ray release HERE