Throw Down (The Criterion Collection) DVD

Throw Down (The Criterion Collection) is Johnnie To’s drama about a former judo champion, a young challenger, and a singer whose lives intersect in Hong Kong. This one-disc NTSC DVD lists a 4K digital restoration and a set of interviews and documentary extras.

At a glance

Story blends drama, judo, martial-arts action, comedy, and surreal elements.
Includes a listed 4K digital restoration on DVD, plus interviews and a short documentary.
The film is directed by Johnnie To and features Louis Koo, Aaron Kwok, and Cherrie Ying.

Price

$14.98Save 50%

Reference price: ~~$29.95~~

Price checked: Nov 12, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

One disc brings together the feature and several listed filmmaker, writer, composer, and scholar interviews.
English subtitles are listed, along with English language information.

Cons

DVD is the listed format, so the 4K restoration claim does not mean this is a 4K UHD disc.

Technical specifications

17 specifications

Film and format
Genre	Drama
Format	DVD, NTSC
Director	Johnnie To
Contributors	Aaron Kwok, Cherrie Ying, Johnnie To, Louis Koo
Actors	Aaron Kwok, Cherrie Ying, Louis Koo
Language	English
Runtime	1 hour and 35 minutes
MPAA rating	NR (Not Rated)
Studio	The Criterion Collection
Release date	September 21, 2021
Number of discs	1

Edition features
Restoration	New 4K digital restoration
Director interview	Interview from 2004 with director Johnnie To
Additional interviews	New interviews with coscreenwriter Yau Nai-hoi and composer Peter Kam
Film scholar interviews	New interviews with film scholars David Bordwell and Caroline Guo
Documentary	Short documentary featuring To and members of the cast

Dimensions and installation
Dimensions listed	7.53 x 5.36 x 0.57 inches; 2.72 ounces

What to know before buying

Listing details to confirm

The listing describes a 4K digital restoration but identifies the release as DVD, NTSC. Treat 4K as the restoration source claim, not the playback resolution of this disc. The feature list also varies: some descriptions mention a trailer and Sean Gilman essay, while the special-edition bullets do not, so confirm the selected listing if those extras matter.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Johnnie To and Criterion Collection viewers interested in Hong Kong cinema.
Collectors looking for a DVD edition with restoration-related interviews and documentary extras.
Viewers drawn to films combining judo, drama, comedy, and martial-arts action.

Less suited to

Buyers specifically seeking a Blu-ray or 4K UHD playback disc.
Viewers who need confirmation that every extra mentioned in the longer description is included.

Throw Down (The Criterion Collection) DVD · photo 2 — Additional product photo 2

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.5 / 5 · 93 ratings

5 stars69%69%
4 stars19%19%
3 stars8%8%
2 stars4%4%
1 star0%0%

Aggregate ratings lean favorable, with most ratings in the top two star categories, but a smaller share is lower. Without written customer feedback, these figures do not show what viewers liked or disliked. They provide limited guidance on how well the film or its DVD extras will suit an individual buyer.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a 4K UHD disc?

No. The listed media format is DVD, NTSC. The 4K claim refers to a digital restoration, not the disc format.

What extras are listed?

The special-edition details list a 2004 interview with Johnnie To, new interviews with Yau Nai-hoi, Peter Kam, David Bordwell, and Caroline Guo, plus a short documentary featuring To and cast members. A longer description also mentions a trailer and essay, so check the selected listing if those are essential.

Does it include English subtitles?

Yes. English is listed as the subtitle language.

How long is the film?

The listed runtime is 1 hour and 35 minutes.