






Product Description From Hong Kong action superstar Chow Yun-Fat and powerhouse director Wong Jing comes a story of the rise and fall of real-life gangster Cheng Daqi, spanning 30 tumultuous years in Shanghai. For Cheng, innocence and young love are shattered by circumstance, wrongful imprisonment, murder, and escape. He finds himself in the crime gangs of Shanghai and apprenticed to the local tycoon (Sammo Hung). As the years pass, Cheng rises to the upper echelons of power and finds himself torn between the love of two women, the murderous plots of the secret service, and the looming threat of war that may destroy the entire city. Review "A rip-roaring wartime romp that wears its heart proudly on its sleeve" --Twitch"Grand and gripping...a perfect example of blockbuster entertainment" --Moviexclusive.com"Chow Yun-Fat is dazzling...Wong Jing at his best" --Moviexclusive.com P.when('A').execute(function(A) { A.on('a:expander:toggle_description:toggle:collapse', function(data) { window.scroll(0, data.expander.$expander[0].offsetTop-100); }); }); About the Actor Chow Yun Fat is a charismatic, athletically built and energetic Asian-born film star who first came to the attention of western audiences via his roles in the high-octane/blazing guns action films of maverick HK director John Woo. Born in 1955 on the quiet island of Lamma, part of the then British colony of Hong Kong near its famous Victoria Harbour, Chow's family moved to urban Hong Kong in 1965 and in early 1973, Chow attended a casting call for TVB, a division of Shaw Bros. productions. With his good looks and easy-going style, Chow was originally a heartthrob actor in non-demanding TV and film roles. However, his popularity increased with his appearance as white-suited gangster Hui Man-Keung in the highly popular drama TV series_The Bund (1983)_. In 1985, Chow started receiving acclaim for his work and scored the Golden Horse (Best Actor) Award in Taiwan and another Best Actor Award from the Asian Pacific Film Festival for his performance in Dang doi lai ming. With these accolades, Chow came to the attention of Woo, who cast Chow in the fast-paced gangster film A Better Tomorrow (aka "A Better Tomorrow"). The rest, as they say, is history. The film was an enormous commercial success, and Chow's influence on young Asian males was not dissimilar to the adulation given to previous Asian film sensations such as Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan. Nearly every young guy in Hong Kong ran out and bought himself a "Mark Coat," as they became known--a long, heavy woolen coat worn by Chow in the movie (although it is is actually very unsuited to Hong Kong's hot and humid climate). Further hard-edged roles in more John Woo crime films escalated Chow's popularity even higher, and fans all over the world flocked to see A Better Tomorrow II (aka "A Better Tomorrow 2"), The Killer (aka "The Killer"), and Hard Boiled (aka "Hard Boiled"). With the phenomenal global interest in the HK action genre, Chow was enticed to the United States and appeared in The Replacement Killers with Mira Sorvino, The Corruptor with Mark Wahlberg, and, for a change of pace, in the often-filmed romantic tale of Anna and the King. Chow then returned to the Asian cinema circuit and starred in the critically lauded kung fu epic Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (aka "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"). His wide appeal can be seen in his "boy next door" type of personality and his ability to play such a broad spectrum of roles from a comedic buffoon to a lovestruck Romeo to a trigger-happy professional killer. A highly entertaining and gifted actor with dynamic on-screen presence, Chow continues to remain in strong demand in many film markets. About the Director Wong Jing is one of Hong Kong's most prolific, talented and controversial filmmakers. His directorial style, at best, manages to combine commercial appeal and artistic aspects. Most of his films were among the biggest box office hits, partly due to possessing an amazing sense of what would play well. Some of his films have achieved groundbreaking success, artistically as well as financially. His films are so popular that in the mid to late '90s, Wong's movies accounted for as much as thirty percent of the total box office take in Hong Kong. Genre-wise, he's done comedy, drama, romance, action (including martial arts) and even erotica. He often combines genres. His screen-writing portfolio is impressive as there is so much scope in terms of plot, historical setting and quality. Even his credentials in the action movie genre are accomplished from films set in period China to a futuristic setting, whether it be a Chinese equivalent to Lord of the Rings, a Sci-Fi adventure that manages to be an adaptation of the famous computer game Street Fighter or a scathing satire on action films that also manages to pay tribute to films such as Reservoir Dogs, Invasion U.S.A. and Raw Deal. Ironically, regardless of his impressive list of credentials, there came a time when the one genre Wong Jing was most famous for (in the eyes of Western fans of Hong Kong cinema) was the erotic thriller. It became commonly associated with him due to him being the producer and screenwriter for Naked Killer - an exploitation film well known for combining scenes of action, dark humor, shocking violence and lesbianism. His true niche, however, can be found in the gambling genre (his favorite genre). He has, quite frankly created some of the best gambling scenes ever depicted on celluloid. His highest-grossing film in Hong Kong theaters was a gambling-themed genre-mixer (God of Gamblers Returns) starring Chow Yun-Fat (of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon fame). Also known as The Return of the God of Gamblers, the film is still one of Hong Kong's top ten highest-grossing films. It had even made a lot more money than Jackie Chan's Drunken Master 2 (which was released in the same year - 1994). This is saying a lot since Drunken Master 2 is constantly referred to as Jackie's best film (the quality of the fight scenes have rarely been rivaled). It had people cheering and giving standing ovations in cinemas throughout Asia which led many to suggest that Drunken Master 2 is the pinnacle of his decorated and illustrious career. However, that didn't stop Jing from delivering a larger crowd-pleaser. It was due to making gambling movies that he had earned another prestigious title. For his film Conman in Vegas, he became the first director to shoot inside the Caesar's Palace Casino based in Las Vegas. See more
E**N
The rise of the big brothers
I would rate it higher if it weren't politically motivated. Every Chinese movie in 2000 consistently portrays foreigners as bigots and enemies, as if they want whoever watches it to be negatively influenced by viewing today's society outside of their sphere as terrible. Not only would it create a false narrative that everyone who is not living and not Chinese is evil, but it would make them entitled when they visit abroad and view those locals as what they saw back home on tv; in this case, this movie. We've seen cases like this most in Australia and European countries. If it's working, why are there people fleeing China? How does this movie keep the local's positive perspective from comparing to the environment they live with outside of their sphere? It shows that freedom is only reserved for those at the top, and stepping out of line would endanger oneself and give the big brothers to make money out of them before they were shown mercy.
V**L
Best Gangstar Movie.
Always have loved foreign cinema I don't mind subtitles. In fact its inspiring me to learn Chinese. Loved this movie if I could I would rate it at a higher stars. I had been watching Chow Yun Fats American made movie but that left me not real satisfied so I turned to his foreign genre and I wasn't disappointed.This movie is excellent an A+. I won't spoil it. If you like action, romance, this film won't disappoint.
B**N
Nostalgia and Chow Yun Fat
I have been looking forward to this movie since I first read the concept. This is an attempt to capture some of the old-school Chow Yun Fat. Directed by Wong Jing, there is high melodrama and several slow motion shootouts. It was nice to see some of my favorite Hong Kong stars, in Sammo Hung and Francis Ng, sharing the screen with CYF. Finally, I did like the young actor who portrayed CYF's character as a young man, Xiaoming Huang. I'll be looking for more from him in the future. I enjoyed the film and would recommend it to anyone, but your enjoyment value will be higher if you appreciate the CYF of the 80's and have been wanting him to return to that kind of film.
C**A
This is an Excellent Movie
The action, the passion, the loyalty and more! Love requited and unrequited. Wow!!!This is a must watch, although I always prefer a happy ending.
J**S
gangster/romance in war torn china in 30,s a must see film brilliant
This is a brilliant film ,chow yun fat at is best ,it tells the story of the lead characters past& present ,it set in 30,s china its a gangster/romance before and during wwar2,its story love ,loyalty &betrayal it as some really great actors samo hung, all the actors were brilliant, its relly life like how they filmed the war scenes ,its a really moving story,l dont want to spoil plot , l promise you will enjoy this film, its a long film you wont get bored ,it keeps your attension with the plots and twists, its brilliant film
K**R
Another terrific Mandarin film
I found this a very entertaining movie. The lead role as a young man is played by an excellent young actor and the older version of this man is played by Chow Yun-Fat. The script was very well written and the scenes and costuming enjoyable. While the story line is a little predictable, Chow pulls it off with his always superb acting and "presence". A lot of action as well as some romance.f
T**S
Wong Jing gets it right!
This is probably one of the best Mainland-Hong Kong collaborations so far. Most have been absolutely dire, Johnnie To's DRUG WARS being a recent example mainly because of the current inabilitity to merge the best of bot traditions. To my suprise, entertainment impresario Wong Jing has managed to make a film representing the best of both traditions: locations, bid budget, good acting, and a performance by Chopw Yun-fat reminiscent of his other collaborations with the director. It is ironic that Wong Jing has shown the way and not Peter Chan, Tsui Hark and others whose talents have become overwhlelmed by access to the Mainland.
D**D
Four Stars
this dvd was not in english you did not tell that but it was on time
N**N
Chow Yun Fat reprend les armes
Je vais commencer par vous parler du blu-ray car tous ceux qui comme moi adorent regarder les films asiatiques en Vo et bien pas de bol, il y a juste la version française. Je suis d'autant plus déçue car le film est superbe et j'aurais vraiment bien aimé le voir en vo.Ce film raconte une histoire d'amour entre Chow Yun Fat et en une femme que le destin à séparé par l'invasion des Japonais en chine exactement en 1920 à Shanghaï où le taux de criminalité est en pleine croissance. Chow Yun Fat s'est fait enrôlé dans un gang très puissant et qui à pour maitre Sammo Hung. Un film absolument remarquable et lorsque Chow Yun Fat reprend les armes on a l'impression de faire un bon en arrière et se retrouver dans "The Killer et A toute épreuve" où sa canarde à tout va pour notre simple bonheur. Un film poignant, sanglant et qui à pour destiné de déjouer les pièges des services secrets et de faire fasse à l'invasion des Japonais. Ce film est sublime et de qualité de par les acteurs et par l'histoire
J**N
Pas terrible
J'adore Chow Yun Fat mais pas beaucoup d'action
J**D
le film
tres bon film a conseiller pour tous
R**Y
5/5
Bon produit
S**K
tres bon
film tres bon on l'a vu en import de honk kong, un tres bon film bourée d'action, a acheter .