Error 4444 Releasing Run And Kill

[Matt H.]

This is a very well-made and action-packed movie. My main issue with it is the implausibility of the plot. It's an ambitious story with many plot twists, but I wasn't invested because it was just too silly, starting with the set-up: *SPOILERS* I just don't believe that any gangster would've dealt with someone as drunk as Fatty is and agree to a double murder. Fatty is literally on the floor, leaning against a wall, and muttering to himself; it's laughable when this well-dressed gangster is asking him if he's serious about wanting his wife killed. Why risk it? I also felt it somewhat contrived when Fatty leaves Hong Kong to hide at another property that he owns (?!) and it just happens to be overrun by squatters... who also happen to be low-level gangsters... who also offer to help Fatty for no real reason (realistically, they'd be way more focused on their upcoming job). I also felt like the big set-piece at the end would've been much more effective if Fatty's daughter had had any character development; she's in the opening 3-minute montage, then disappears for 40 minutes, and is in one brief scene asking where Daddy is, until the ridiculous plot twist that finds her being seriously threatened by the unconvincing lunatic 'Nam vet *END SPOILERS* For me, this movie is about as realistic as an '80s Cannon movie, which isn't a bad thing, but I wish they would've worked a little harder on the script, which was seemingly striving for something more than a dumb action thriller.

[Vincent Dawn Jr]

I was considering disposing of my German Cine Club DVD of Run and Kill, but I discovered it has a very attractive extra in the form of the bonus film Intruder (1997). Wu Chien Lien stars in this Cat III (for merciless gore) thriller, which is very suspenseful and utterly bleak. Until now I thought Intruder had only appeared on VCD. This presentation is far nicer than most VCDs, being widescreen and having removable English subs. The low bit rate is evident in the panning shots, but in general the picture is sharp.

I agree, Intruder is awesome. I hope this gets an upgraded blu-ray release.

[mjeon]

I was considering disposing of my German Cine Club DVD of Run and Kill, but I discovered it has a very attractive extra in the form of the bonus film Intruder (1997). Wu Chien Lien stars in this Cat III (for merciless gore) thriller, which is very suspenseful and utterly bleak. Until now I thought Intruder had only appeared on VCD. This presentation is far nicer than most VCDs, being widescreen and having removable English subs. The low bit rate is evident in the panning shots, but in general the picture is sharp.

[Ian Jane]

Ha, I had the second insert with mine too, didn't even look at it, just slid it in over the one in the case without even wondering why it was there. Oops.

[Vincent Dawn Jr]

Ah! That makes sense. I figured it was something like that. The only other Error 4444 discs I've picked up are the Centipede Horror / Red Spell set and it didn't match those. Thanks for figuring it out.

No worries, glad to help.

[Richard L.]

One of the sleeves (the first one they produced, I assume, that needed to be corrected) lists the bonus features for Fatal Termination, not Run And Kill.

Ah! That makes sense. I figured it was something like that. The only other Error 4444 discs I've picked up are the Centipede Horror / Red Spell set and it didn't match those. Thanks for figuring it out.

[Vincent Dawn Jr]

Mine arrived today - it comes with a second cover outside of the shrink-wrapped package. Looks like some details are changed on the updated sleeve:

• 4k restoration was changed to 2k restoration
• 93 minute runtime changed to 91 minutes
• 4k English dub cut (85 minutes) was removed on the updated sleeve
• Man of Action: A Ridley Tsui Interview was removed on the updated sleeve
• The Man from Cornwall: A Mike Abbott interview was removed from the updated sleeve
• Chinese Dub Ending Song was removed on the updated sleeve
• The Kids Aren't Alright: A video essay by Erica Shultz was added to the updated sleeve
• Audio Commentary by Bruce Holecheck and Art Ettinger is added to the updated sleeve
• Run& Kill x CFK On Location is added to the updated sleeve

I haven't had a chance to watch it (or the extras) yet, but figured I'd share because I didn't expect the 2nd sleeve. I guess that was the "disc wrap" that caused the release's delay.

One of the sleeves (the first one they produced, I assume, that needed to be corrected) lists the bonus features for Fatal Termination, not Run And Kill.

[Richard L.]

Mine arrived today - it comes with a second cover outside of the shrink-wrapped package. Looks like some details are changed on the updated sleeve:

• 4k restoration was changed to 2k restoration
• 93 minute runtime changed to 91 minutes
• 4k English dub cut (85 minutes) was removed on the updated sleeve
• Man of Action: A Ridley Tsui Interview was removed on the updated sleeve
• The Man from Cornwall: A Mike Abbott interview was removed from the updated sleeve
• Chinese Dub Ending Song was removed on the updated sleeve
• The Kids Aren't Alright: A video essay by Erica Shultz was added to the updated sleeve
• Audio Commentary by Bruce Holecheck and Art Ettinger is added to the updated sleeve
• Run& Kill x CFK On Location is added to the updated sleeve

I haven't had a chance to watch it (or the extras) yet, but figured I'd share because I didn't expect the 2nd sleeve. I guess that was the "disc wrap" that caused the release's delay.

[Randy G]

Well put. Maybe that's why I tend to enjoy the Cat III films more than the pinky or roman porno stuff, I dig the lowbrow campy aesthetic. I find those have more re-watch value.

Oh yeah don't get me wrong, I like both CAT III and Japanese exploitation. They just have that different feel. I like the camp elements in CAT III, it makes them really different.

The jokes in The Untold Story are particularly bizarre, like someone crossed Henry Portrait of a Serial Killer with Vice Academy.

[Vincent Dawn Jr]

Yeah, I don't think many films are more vicious than Red to Kill, although elements of RtK are so campy that dilutes its impact a bit, which is probably a good thing considering the subject matter.

Most CAT III film's embrace of lowbrow slapstick and Police Academy-worthy humour makes them less disturbing to me than, say, the more seriously Sadean roman porno and pinky violence films from Japan.

But that tonal whiplash, a common feature of Asian exploitation in my experience, is part of the strange charm of these films.

Well put. Maybe that's why I tend to enjoy the Cat III films more than the pinky or roman porno stuff, I dig the lowbrow campy aesthetic. I find those have more re-watch value.

[Randy G]

I received my copy yesterday and eagerly viewed it last night.

I enjoyed it, mainly because I'm a Kent Cheng fan, and it's really his show. But it's nowhere near as vicious as Red To Kill or some of the other top tier nasty Cat III classics. I found it darkly comedic and kept thinking of Judgement Night, that Emilio Estevez movie from the 90's. Normal guy stumbles into the underworld of gangsters and finds himself way out of his league sinking deeper, & deeper into shit.

Yeah, I don't think many films are more vicious than Red to Kill, although elements of RtK are so campy that dilutes its impact a bit, which is probably a good thing considering the subject matter.

Most CAT III film's embrace of lowbrow slapstick and Police Academy-worthy humour makes them less disturbing to me than, say, the more seriously Sadean roman porno and pinky violence films from Japan.

But that tonal whiplash, a common feature of Asian exploitation in my experience, is part of the strange charm of these films.

[Vincent Dawn Jr]

I received my copy yesterday and eagerly viewed it last night.

I enjoyed it, mainly because I'm a Kent Cheng fan, and it's really his show. But it's nowhere near as vicious as Red To Kill or some of the other top tier nasty Cat III classics. I found it darkly comedic and kept thinking of Judgement Night, that Emilio Estevez movie from the 90's. Normal guy stumbles into the underworld of gangsters and finds himself way out of his league sinking deeper, & deeper into shit.

[f.ramses]

Was on yt and stumbled upon this, the first half with the side by side was pretty cool:

[Ian Jane]

A bit more info...

[Ian Jane]

Banner on the website says that orders are supposed to start shipping today.

https://error4444.bigcartel.com/