The Protector (威龍猛探) is a 1985 live-action theatrical Hong Kong film directed by James Glickenhaus, produced by David Chan, Shek Hong-chan, Leonard Ho and Raymond Chow, and written by both James Glickenhaus and Edward Tang. The film stars Jackie Chan, Danny Aiello and Roy Chiao, with music composed by Ken Throne. It was theatrically released in July 1985 for Hong Kong followed by the United States a month later, and distributed by Raymond Chow’s Golden Harvest Group and Fortune Star (with Warner Bros handling the US release).
Background:
“After the kidnapping of a wealthy businessman’s daughter, maverick New York City cops Billy Wong (Jackie Chan) and Danny Garoni (Danny Aiello) are sent to garner leads in Hong Kong, but the pair find themselves beset by the local police and crime boss, Harold Ko (Roy Chiao) who will stop at nothing in ensuring the continuity of his drug empire.”
Plot Synopsis via 88 Films, November 2019
My knowledge of the Hong Kong film licensing business is very minimal, and The Protector is a unique case because it’s actually a collaboration between the US and Hong Kong in that matter. Like Enter the Dragon, this is directed by a US person with an Asian actor as the main lead and I believe this was Jackie Chan’s way of breaking into the Hollywood industry in a sense after his first attempt with Battle Creek Brawl (known in the US at the time as The Big Brawl) in 1980. Though apparently, Jackie Chan wasn’t happy with aspects of the film so he edited his own version for Hong Kong.
The Protector was distributed by Warner Bros for the UK & US territories. Shout! Factory did re-release the film as a double pack with Crime Story on Blu-ray for US audiences in 2013. Meanwhile in the UK, Warner Bros released the film in 1985 followed by VHS in 1986, then Hong Kong Legends acquired the rights for DVD release in 2007 and now fast forward to 88 Films with the license for a Blu-ray release in 2019.
88 Films focus on three different niches from the film industry; Italian films, horror films and also Chinese films, the latter of which has a sub-label called 88 Asia. The Jackie Chan films are not mentioned to be part of the 88 Asia brand on the packaging but they are mentioned when you load the disc for the first time. After releasing four Jackie Chan films in 2018, 88 Films revealed the second batch of titles from Fortune Star in 2019 with The Protector being included as one of the four.
First Print Edition Contents:
88 Films follows a trend similar to Arrow Video and Eureka Entertainment where they offer a first print edition that includes an o-card slipcase and a couple of physical extras to go with the package.
For The Protector, we have first print items made solely for this 88 Films release. The first print features a slipcover with really nice artwork done by R.P. “Kung Fu Bob” O’Brien and a booklet written by Scott Harrison offers rare stills from the lobby and extra notes about the film.
The SRP is £24.99 and has a 3000 unit print run. As of September 2020, the first print run has sold out and thus newer copies no longer include the O-card slipcase, and booklet.
Physical Contents:
- Limited Edition O-Card slipcase featuring unique artwork by R.P. “Kung Fu Bob” O’Brien
- Booklet
On-Disc Contents:
Distributor: 88 Films
Released: 25th November 2019
88 Films’ Blu-ray release for The Protector received a 2K restoration from the US version of the film, which means the quality of the transfer will be better than the previous releases in the past but the Hong Kong version that Jackie Chan had edited is an upscale.
The audio options available include the main English language with SDH subtitles and remixed soundtrack for the US version as well as Cantonese language with newly translated English subtitles for the Hong Kong version. The US version runs at 95 minutes whereas the Hong Kong version runs at 92 minutes. The Blu-ray disc is Region B locked and the subtitles are unlockable during playback.
Blu-ray Specs:
| Languages | Cantonese, English |
| Audio | International Theatrical Cut: English Linear PCM 2.0 English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Hong Kong Cut: Cantonese Dolby Digital 2.0 |
| Video | International Theatrical Cut: 1080p High Definition Native format 1.85:1 aspect ratio Hong Kong Cut: 1080p Standard Definition Upscaled format 1.85:1 aspect ratio |
| Region | B |
| Subtitles | International Theatrical Cut: English SDH Hong Kong Cut: English |
| Locked Subtitles | No |
| Discs | 1 BD-50 |
Blu-ray On-Disc Extra Features:
- English Version Audio Commentary by Mike Leeder & George Clarke
- Hong Kong Version Audio Commentary by Mike Leeder & George Clarke
- Hard Edge: Interview with Director James Glickenhaus
- Follow the Puck: Interview with Cinematographer Mark Irwin
- A Tale of 2 Movies: A Side-By-Side Comparison of the HK Cut & the US Cut
- Behind the Scenes
- International Trailer
- Hong Kong Trailer
- Japanese Trailer
- Japanese Teaser Trailer
- Japanese End Credits
Unboxing Photos:
In addition, here’s a round-up look at Crime Story, Dragons Forever, Heart of Dragon, Miracles and The Protector together.
Final Notes:
The Protector is available to own on Blu-ray from 88 Films for the United Kingdom & Ireland. The first print edition has sold out but a regular standard edition Blu-ray is available to order on 88 Films’ official website and on Amazon UK.
The Normanic Vault 
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