Enter the Panther (1976) (Terror Vision) Blu-ray Review + 1080p Screenshots + Packaging Shots

Terror Vision brings another Bruceploitation flick to Blu-ray. Is it worth the purchase?

Studio: Terror Vision
Release Date: 1976 (theatrical) / May 6th, 2025 (blu-ray)
Run Time: 1 hour 16 minutes 31 seconds (HD version), 1 hour 30 minutes 37 seconds (VHS Version)
Region Code: FREE

Disc Count: 1 (BD-50)
Picture: 1080p (2.35:1 aspect ratio) (HD version), 480p (1.33:1 aspect ratio) (VHS version)
Sound: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Subtitles: English
Slipcover: Yes
Digital Copy: No
Starring: Bruce Li, Azenith Briones, To Kong, Lito Lapid
Written by Hak Wai Ho
Directed by Juang Lung
Rating: Unrated (martial arts violence)

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Poster

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What's It About?

After Long's father dies under mysterious circumstances, he sets out to avenge his murder. Long is a martial arts expert, and he is soon forced to put his extraordinary skills to the test. The Hunter: a disciple of three Dragon styles. The Prey: a murdering thief who leaves no witnesses. The Bait: a mountain full of gold.

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Video/Audio

As with many of the Brucepoitation blu-ray releases, we have to take many things into account when it comes to the picture quality. This is printed on the back of the box on this release:

Note: The print that was located has burnt in Spanish subtitles but is dubbed in English. We have created English subtitles that will cover up the Spanish subtitles if you wish to watch it that way.

The print used here, the only one in known existence, is in rough shape. There is not a second that goes by where there isn't something that is wrong with the print used, be it scratches, knicks, lines, hairs, picture jumps, etc. Colors are off, skin tones are rough, and there is very little in the way of fine detail. There are times when the picture goes yellow. You name it, it probably is here. I know many out there, being A/V hounds, will brush this release off because the picture isn't 100% perfect, but I could care less about it. This is the only way to watch ENTER THE PANTHER. It's either this or nothing at all. Sure, I can see how the imperfections could be distracting. I get it. They don't bother me at all. Hell, I don't mind the burnt in Spanish subtitles either. Since I don't know what they mean, my mind doesn't pay attention to them. If they were in English, they might have bothered me because my eyes would keep going down to them, but not with these subtitles. I forget they are even there for most of the film. I liked the way the transfer looked.

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Extras/Packaging

Commentary with Frank Djeng - Man, I love Frank Djeng's commentary tracks. I learn so much from them and they are never boring. This is a definite recommend.

VHS Version of Enter the Panther (1h 30m, SD, 1.33:1) This version of the film runs 14 minutes longer than the HD version, reinstating footage cut from the final fight of the film, amongst other scenes. Picture quality on this thing is pure crap, but its comfort food crap. The film, which was shot in 2.35:1, is cropped to a 1.33:1 aspect ratio and there are going to be many people who hate this. Those people did not grow up in the 80s and 90s, when kung fu flicks were not treated with very much respect. We used to have to watch these films like the way this version is presented, all the time. I don't remember the first martial arts film I saw at home that was in it's original aspect ratio. Hell, my SNAKE IN THE EAGLE'S SHADOW VHS, which says "Widescreen Edition" on the cover, isn't in the film's original aspect ratio. For some reason it's in 1.85:1, when the film was shot in 2.35:1. It's very weird but that's how things were back then. Hell, the cropping was so bad, scenes didn't even make sense. You would be asking more questions than the film has answers to in that form. There were times when the subtitles would be cut off too. I have a Tai Seng VHS of PROJECT A II that is 1.33:1 and the subtitles are cut off. I can't figure out why Tai Seng thought this was an ok thing to but they did it anyway. Watch this version for the most complete version of the film but be ready for it to look like dogshit.

Here is a link to the Movie Censorship comparison

Man, I have to say I love the packaging Terror Vision has put together for this release. We get a nice thick slipcover that features original poster art on the front and back. Inside we have a clear, single disc blu-ray case with more original art for it's cover. Inside we have a 40-page booklet featuring from Shaun Williams, Fanatical Dragon, and Rob Hunter. This booklet is thick and gives a lot of weight to the package. The disc art features two of the panthers from the cover (the black and white ones).

The disc is REGION FREE

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Overall

"What the fuck was going on?" is something I kept saying to myself while watching ENTER THE PANTHER. This is not a good thing. I was lost for big chunks of the film. The longer VHS version, found on this disc, doesn't really clear anything up. Stuff happens and then the film is over. That's cool with me as you don't really need to follow the plot of a film like this. It's a Bruceploitation flick so you know what you're getting. You are getting some really crappy fight scenes and some of the most lovely undercranking I have ever seen in a martial film. It happens about 30 minutes into the film and it is glorious.

There's also the straight up theft of other films' scores. It's not like they are trying to hide it or anything. I find it to be quite charming how the filmmakers didn't care about copyright or anything. It's amazing they got away with it too. Bravo.

The pacing is also a big issue. After the film had been going for a while, it felt like the film was almost over, but when I checked the actual run time, it was about 30 minutes into the film. Nothing would have been wrapped up had they ended it there. Plot lines and fight scenes would be lost, but the film would be fine without them. We got a few good fight scenes along the way. Why not just end it here, and we can all go see something else?

I didn't hate the film. The slow, cumbersome fight scenes are charming and I always like watching a Bruceploitation film just to see how they imitate Bruce Lee. I can't say the film is fun, but I can say I do not regret watching or buying it.

The blu-ray itself is pretty good. Sure, the picture quality is pretty bad but that's ok when we take into consideration the condition the film is in. The special features are pretty good as well. We get another very informative commentary track from the always awesome Frank Djeng. The VHS version of the film is hard to watch, given the cropping of the picture, but it does fill out some of the questionable edits. I can say I do recommend this release, especially if you love martial arts films.

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