In the Line of Duty III (1988) – Blu-ray version

Eureka Entertainment presents IN THE LINE OF DUTY III! Often overshadowed by other films in the series, “In the Line of Duty III” is the hidden gem of the franchise, featuring shockingly brutal and ferocious action sequences.

Not available on home video in the UK since the VHS era, Eureka Classics present the film on Blu-ray from a brand new 2K restoration!

“IN THE LINE OF DUTY III” is OUT TODAY on Blu-ray – so order your copy now from Eureka Video or Amazon!

Trailer

Cast

Taiwanese actress CYNTHIA KHAN makes her action debut as tough, rookie cop “Rachel Yeung Lai-Ching”. Her real name is Yang Li-Tsing, but producers were hoping to cash in on the success of the “Yes Madam” (AKA “Police Assassins”) films starring Michelle Khan (later known as Michelle Yeoh) and Cynthia Rothrock, hence the screen name.

She would go on to become one of the leading stars of the “girls with guns” genre of the 1980’s, often playing tough cops in movies such as “Tiger Cage 2“, “Yes Madam ’92”, “The Avenging Quartet”, “Angel on Fire”, and the sequels “In the Line of Duty 4, 5, 6 & 7”!

Japanese bodybuilder-turned-actress and stunt performer, MICHIKO NISHIWAKI stars as deadly thief and terrorist, “Michiko Nishiwaki”!

Debuting in the action comedy classic “My Lucky Stars“, she went on to appear in films such as “City Cops”, “Princess Madam” and “God of Gamblers”. Michiko appeared in the 1999 biopic “Man on the Moon”, starring Jim Carrey, and has performed stunts for Hollywood films such as “Red Corner”, “Blade“, “Charlie’s Angels”, and “Rush Hour 2”.

She recently made a cameo appearance in the multi-award winning movie “Everything Everywhere All At Once”.

STUART ONG stars as fellow thief and terrorist “Genji Nakamura”. In a long and prolific career, Ong made many notorious Cat III Hong Kong movies. Outside of Hong Kong movies, he will be recognised by international audiences from his roles in Hollywood movies such as Sean Connery’s “Entrapment”, the James Bond film “Die Another Day”, and director Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster “Batman Begins”.

Fans of BBC TV dramas may recognise him from guest appearances in shows such as “Cracker”, “The Bill”, “Doctors”, “Midsomer Murders”, “Dalziel & Pascoe”, and “Holby City”!

Japanese icon HIROSHI FUJIOKA plays a cop called “Hiroshi Fujioka”! He gained fame in Japan playing the hero Takeshi Hongo in the tokusatsu superhero series “Kamen Rider”. In the 1990’s he became the Sega Saturn game console mascot, Segata Sanshiro. Fujioka is so revered as a cultural icon in Japan, the minor planet 12408 Fujioka, discovered by Akimasa Nakamura, was named in his honour!

Project A” Pirate King, DICK WEI does what he does best, playing tough as nails fighter, “Kikamura”. He has appeared in classics such as “The Prodigal Son“, “The Lucky Stars Trilogy“, “Millionaires Express“, “Eastern Condors“, “Dragons Forever” and “Pedicab Driver“.

Plot

Two deadly thieves for the notorious Red Army terrorist organisation, carry out a brutal and violent robbery, resulting in the deaths of dozens of innocent victims, including a Tokyo detective.

The would-be terrorists head to Hong Kong with their stolen jewellery to buy weapons for their organisation.

When the duo discover the jewellery is actually fake and that their co-conspirator has set them up, they are determined to get what is owed to them, even if they have to tear Hong Kong inside out.

Recently promoted Hong Kong Inspector Rachel Yeung is assigned to be a police escort for Officer Fujioka, a quiet-but-determined Tokyo police officer who has a personal vendetta against Michiko and Nakamura.

As the violence escalates, Rachel is determined to bust Michiko and Nakamura any way she can. It leads to a brutal showdown pitting cop against criminal.

IN THE LINE OF DUTY III – Original Hong Kong Trailer

Action

Cynthia Khan is introduced as an apparently rookie cop on foot patrol, but very quickly demonstrates that she is both courageous and highly skilled when it comes dealing with an armed robber.

IN THE LINE OF DUTY III – Action Clip

Villains Michiko and Nakamura are introduced in an explosive and violent raid in Tokyo. The editing uses quick cuts giving the de rigueur insane stunts an exciting energy.

Cynthia has a great running fight with Stephan Berwick, playing an underground arms dealer.

Stephan is a former wushu alumni of Donnie Yen‘s mum, Bow Sim Mark, who also appeared in “Tiger Cage” and “In the Line of Duty IV”.

Considering his stocky body-type, Berwick fights with agility, speed and flexibility. It is fitting testimony to the time he spent training hard in China at the Shaanxi Athletic Technical Institute under the acclaimed martial arts champion, Zhao Changjun.

IN THE LINE OF DUTY III – Original English Export Trailer

As the action progresses in this film, the scenes become more and more brutal and graphically violent. A fight in a boatyard features some gruesome flesh-ripping that would make many horror films look like a Disney animation!

Hong Kong action legend Dick Wei has always had a reputation as a tough screen-fighter. With the increased brutality in the second half of this movie he really gets to let loose.

Summary

Cynthia Khan was always going to have a tough job following in the footsteps of Michelle Yeoh, but this film is an impressive introduction for her. She is maybe doubled a little more, and perhaps looks a little too “cute” on occasion, but Khan still delivers when it counts.

In the Line of Duty 3 may not quite top the action of its contemporaries, such as Yes Madam or She Shoots Straight, but it definitely holds its own. In terms of the levels of violence, it certainly outdoes its peers of the time.

IN THE LINE OF DUTY III & IV – Blu-ray Unboxing Video

The picture quality is absolutely pristine in this restoration, especially in the almost tourist-guide location scenes filmed in Hong Kong.

The audio commentaries from Frank Djeng and the always entertaining Mike Leeder and Arne Venema, provide some great background into the many actors and locations that pop up throughout the film.

It’s a shame that out of the In Line of Duty movies and the 80’s Hong Kong cops and gangsters genre, or girls with guns sub-genre, that this one seems somewhat overlooked. If you are a fan, In the Line of Duty III does not disappoint and deserves its place on your shelf alongside the rest of the series.

Trivia

    • Released on VHS as “Force of the Dragon” in some territories.
    • The first two films in the “Yes Madam” series were called “In the Line of Duty 1 & 2” in some territories. The success of these led to “In the Line of Duty 3”, which introduced Yeung Lai-Ching, credited as ‘Cynthia Khan’ to link her to “Yes Madam” stars Michelle Yeoh/Khan and Cynthia Rothrock. To cash in on the success of “Tiger Cage”, Donnie Yen starred with Cynthia Khan in “In the Line of Duty 4”!
    • Films considered to be a part of the “In the Line of Duty” series in order of release include:
    1. YES, MADAM! (1985) a.k.a. Police Assassins 2 (UK VHS), Police Assassins (UK DVD, AU DVD), co-starring Cynthia Rothrock; 2. ROYAL WARRIORS (1986) a.k.a. Police Assassins (UK VHS), co-starring Hiroyuki Sanada and Michael Wong; 3. IN THE LINE OF DUTY III (1988) a.k.a. Force of the Dragon (UK VHS), co-starring Hiroshi Fujioka; 4. IN THE LINE OF DUTY 4 (1989) a.k.a. In the Line of Duty (UK), co-starring Donnie Yen; 5. MIDDLE MAN (1990) a.k.a. In the Line of Duty V: Middle Man (USA), co-starring David Wu and Elvina Kong; 6. FORBIDDEN ARSENAL (1991); a.k.a. In the Line of Duty 6: Forbidden Arsenal, co-starring Waise Lee; 7. SEA WOLVES (1991), starring Gary Chau and Simon Yam; 8. YES, MADAM ’92: A SERIOUS SHOCK (1992) a.k.a. Death Triangle, starring Moon Lee and Cynthia Khan; 9. YES MADAM 5 (1995) a.k.a. Red Force, starring Cynthia Khan and Chin Siu Ho.
    In the Line of Duty 3 -Out NOW on Blu-ray! -KUNG FU KINGDOM

    In the Line of Duty 3 – Out NOW on Blu-ray! – KUNG FU KINGDOM

    Film Rating: 8/10

    “IN THE LINE OF DUTY III” is OUT TODAY on Blu-ray – get your copy from Eureka Video or  Amazon!

    Are you a fan of the “girls with guns” genre? Which is your favourite Hong Kong cops vs gangsters FU-flick? Let us know in the comments below; Like, share and join in the conversation on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter & Instagram!

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    Glen Stanway

    Influenced by the movies of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, Glen began training in martial arts and gymnastics in 1995. He made his first of many visits to Malaysia and Singapore in 1998 to learn Chin Woo kung fu under the supervision of Master Teng Wie Yoo. Glen is the author of "The Art of Coaching" and "Fearless The Story of Chin Woo Kung Fu", and runs a kung fu & kickboxing school in Hertfordshire, England.

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