Project A (1983)
"'A' gai wak" (original title)

Fighting against pirates in "old Hong Kong". Chinese costume drama with plenty of over-the-top tongue in cheek action and music.

Director:

Jackie Chan

Writers:

Jackie Chan, Edward Tang

Stars:

Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung Kam-Bo, Yuen Biao

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jackie Chan	...	Dragon Mi Yong
Sammo Hung Kam-Bo	...	Fei
Yuen Biao	...	Captain Tzu
Dick Wei	...	Lor Sam Pau
Mars	...	Jaws
Isabella Wong	...	Winnie (as Winnie Wong)
Po Tai	...	Tai (as Pa Tai)
Wu Long Cheung	...	VIP Club Bouncer
Hoi Sang Lee	...	(as Hai-Shung Lee)
Hoi-Shan Kwan	...	Captain Chi (as Hoi-San Kwan)
Wai Wong
Fat Wan	...	Thug (as Wan Tat)
Wing Man Kuen
Ho Kai Law
Hark-Sun Lau	...	Admiral (as Hak Suen Lau)

Storyline

In late 19th Century Hong Kong the British may rule the land, but the pirates rule the waters. Reluctantly, the Coast Guard is given money to fight these pirates, but the pirates themselves have many contacts (that is, bribed officials) in the government, and seek to thwart the Coast Guard's efforts to eliminate them. One Coast Guard officer is Dragon Ma, who is determined that his beloved Coast Guard will not be made fools of.

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Plot Keywords:

pirate | hong kong | chinese | fighting | 19th century | 

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Taglines:

Nonstop Action On The High Seas!

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Genres:

Action | Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

English Cantonese

Release Date:

22 December 1983 (Hong Kong)

Also Known As:

Jackie Chan's Project A

Company Credits

Production Co:

Authority Films, Golden Harvest Company, Paragon Films Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the stunts, involving a fall from a tower, almost cost Jackie Chan his life.

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Goofs

When dragon trips Mr. Chan, the lamp that he uses to trip him with clearly bends.

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Quotes

Winnie: You're going too fast!
Dragon Mi Yong: You'll drive me mad!

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Crazy Credits

Outtakes from the film, including one of the takes from the famous clock tower scene

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Connections

Referenced in Jackie Chan Adventures: Project A, for Astral (2000)

User Reviews

US Version Stinks

'A' Gai Waak/Project A(1983) is known for the physical comedy performed by its star, Jackie Chan. No one does physical comedy with the same type of bravery like Jackie Chan does here. Physical comedy is the hardest kind of comedy. This is because a person has to be in excellent shape to do the kinds of stunts required in physical comedy.

Project A(1983) is my favorite film of the Jackie Chan/Sammo Hung/Yuen Biao collaborations. Film proves why they are the Marx Brothers of Kung Fu Comedy. These three actors are at home when working with each other. The fight scene between the head pirate and Chan/Hung/Biao is done at a frantic pace.

The stunts in Project A(1983) are dangerous and daring. They are also filled with energy and style. The stunt on the clock tower is both amazing and breath taking. When it comes to stunt work, Jackie Chan is the best at taking chances in giving action scenes an ounce of authenticity. The actors make the stunts look easier than they actually are.

Jackie Chan does a brilliant job in the dual role of actor and director. As an actor he gives a simple performance that is transcended by his ability to perform incredible stunts. As the director he films the action scenes with high speed energy. The best film for Jackie Chan as actor and director.

The scene with Chan hanging from the clock tower is a fabulous homage to the famous sequence from the silent comedy, Safety Last. Scene shows the actor's love for silent pictures and the Harold Lloyd film. This scene is a throwback to the glory days of silent comedy. Not only does it gives respect to Safety Last(1928) but also stands on its own as something memorable.

The action scenes in the movie make any similar scenes from the average Hollywood action pic look puny. A pure action film that shouldn't be mistaken for intellectual viewing. The fight scenes are done with imagination and passion. Action scenes from Project A(1983) are just as impressive as the action set pieces in Police Story(1985).

Project A(1983) is an entertaining tribute to the great silent pictures of Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd. Jackie Chan plays a character in the Keaton and Lloyd mold. Its this aspect of Jackie Chan's arsenal that makes him a superstar. Project A(1983) is a great example of a film with the techniques of a silent comedy.

In comparing the USA version of the film to the Hong Kong version, I came to the conclusion that the version released here is a travesty. First, the US version is missing some key scenes that made the film funny. Second, the film was badly dubbed and poorly edited for its US release. If I ever got this film on DVD its most likely I will get the Hong Kong version.

Its a pleasure to see Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung fight side by side in Project A. Their films are usually terrific whenever they appear together. The fight scene in the tea house showcases their similar but slightly different brand of fighting technique. Its a shame that these two haven't done anything with each other lately.

One of the top films directed by Jackie Chan besides Police Story(1985), Armour of God 2(1991), and Project A part 2(1987). Ho-Shan Kwan provides the comic relief as the hard headed Captain Chi. Yuen Biao is good in a role that's over shadowed by Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung. A film for fans of action movies and people who want to discover the films of Chan, Hung, and Biao.