Why So Blu?

Lady of the Law (Blu-ray Review)

A dangerous criminal escapes captivity – but luckily crime-busting super-swordswoman Leng Rushuang (Shih Szu, Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires) is on his trail. However, she has doubts about his guilt, and she’s not going to stop fighting until she’s sure the right man is being punished. Co-starring Lo Lieh (Dragons Forever) and the unmistakable Dean Shek (Drunken Master), Lady of the Law is a choice cut from the golden age of Hong Kong swordplay. 88 Films are proud to present this slice-and-dice classic on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK May 19, 2025!

Film

Lady of the Law is one of those mid- ‘70s Shaw Brothers gems that doesn’t always get brought up in the usual kung fu film conversations — but it definitely should. It’s a slick, no-nonsense martial arts flick with a female lead who doesn’t just hold her own — she takes full command of the screen. This is peak-era Shaw Brothers, so you know you’re getting gorgeous sets, stylized lighting, and that signature studio polish, but what really stands out here is the attitude.

The movie stars Szu Shih, and she brings a great mix of elegance and toughness. Her character feels like a breath of fresh air — not just a damsel or sidekick, but a force with real agency. She’s basically a wandering enforcer of justice, moving through corrupt towns and shady dealings with a sword at her side and no time for nonsense. It’s got that classic “stranger rolls into town” energy but flipped — she’s not a lone wolf with a grudge; she’s got a mission and a code. She’s merciful and empathetic.

The action is paced a little differently from the later ‘80s golden era stuff. Don’t expect wall-to-wall fight scenes or crazy acrobatics — this one’s more deliberate, with bursts of well-staged swordplay that feel weighty and precise. There’s a strong wuxia influence, with fights that are more about technique and emotion than pure speed. And when the fights do land, they hit hard. There’s a kind of rawness to it that adds a bit of grit to the otherwise polished presentation.

Stylistically, the film leans heavy on courtroom drama vibes early on, but then pivots into revenge and justice territory with a nice slow burn. There are some great costume choices and atmospheric use of shadows that give it an almost noir feeling at times. It’s not flashy, but it’s sharp — like the film knows exactly what it wants to be and doesn’t waste time trying to appeal to everyone.

Video

NOTE: Stills are provided for promotional use only and are not from the Blu-ray

Encoding: MPEG-4 AVC

Resolution: 1080p

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Region: A & B

HDR: N/A

Layers: BD-50

Clarity and Detail: The 1080p transfer looks impressively clean for a film from the 70s. Fine textures in the elaborate Shaw Brothers sets and period costumes come through nicely, especially during close-ups and mid-shots. There’s some softness in wide shots, but nothing that feels distracting. It’s a faithful presentation that retains a film-like appearance without being overly scrubbed.

Depth: There’s a solid sense of depth throughout, especially in outdoor sequences or scenes staged in layered interiors. Foreground and background separation is noticeable, giving a bit of breathing room to character movement and fight choreography. It’s not demo material, but it’s far from flat.

Black Levels: Black levels are generally stable and fairly deep. Nighttime scenes and shadow-heavy interiors hold up well without crushing detail, though a few moments lean slightly gray. Contrast is decent, and darker costumes and hair textures don’t get lost in murky shadows.

Color: Colors lean toward a natural palette with a slight warm push — reds and golds in particular pop nicely without oversaturation. Shaw Brothers productions were always heavy on theatrical flair, and the color timing here helps support that while still feeling grounded.

Flesh Tones: Skin tones are consistent and lifelike, avoiding the waxy or overly pink issues that can pop up in some older transfers. The lighting in some scenes can shift things slightly warmer or cooler, but it never feels unnatural.

Noise and Artifacts: Grain is present and consistent, with no obvious signs of DNR or edge enhancement. A few specks and scratches show up here and there, but they’re minimal. No visible compression artifacts or banding issues — a clean and respectful presentation overall.

Audio

Audio Format(s): Mandarin LPCM 2.0 Mono

Subtitles: English

Dynamics: The LPCM track delivers a clean and consistent presentation. Dynamics are modest but effective, with noticeable shifts between quiet dialogue scenes and sharper moments like clashing swords or dramatic music cues. Nothing feels too compressed or flat, and the overall mix holds up well for a film from the mid-1970s.

Height: N/A

Low Frequency Extension: N/A

Surround Sound: N/A

Dialogue: Dialogue is crisp and consistently balanced. Even in busier scenes with layered music or ambient effects, voices remain easy to understand. There’s a touch of analog hiss in a few moments, but it’s minor and doesn’t interfere with clarity.

Extras

The pickings are slim, with just a more than adequate audio commentary by David West. West speculates that the film was shot in 1971 but only released in 1975, so that’s the kind of informative commentary you are in for. It’s fascinating and entertaining.

• Audio Commentary By David West
• Stills Gallery
• Folded Poster

Summary

If you’re into the more serious, character-driven side of Shaw Brothers cinema — this should definitely be on your radar. It’s got style, purpose, and a lead that actually gets to do something, which isn’t always the case in older martial arts films. Lady of the Law deserves a spot in the conversation. The Blu-ray has great video and audio specs but only a single commentary and a still gallery, so that drags the overall score down a ways. Still, if you’re into old-school martial arts – Shaw Brothers films then this one’s a no-brainer.

 

Lady of the Law is released on Blu-ray in the UK

May 19, 2025!

ORDER NOW!

 

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