A Better Tomorrow (1986)
Ying hung boon sik (original title)Reference View | Change View
- Not Rated
- 1h 35min
- Action, Crime
- 08 Jul 2025 (USA)
- Movie
A reforming ex-gangster tries to reconcile with his estranged policeman brother, but the ties to his former gang are difficult to break.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- 6 wins & 14 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast
| Lung Ti | ... |
Sung Tse-Ho
(as Ti Lung)
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| Chow Yun-Fat | ... |
Mark
(as Chow Yun Fat)
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| Leslie Cheung | ... |
Sung Tse-Kit
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| Emily Chu | ... |
Jackie
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| Waise Lee | ... |
Shing
(as Lee Chi Hung)
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| Feng Tien | ... |
Father Sung
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| John Woo | ... |
Inspector Wu
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Yanzi Shi | ... |
Mr. Yiu
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| Kenneth Tsang | ... |
Ken
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| Shing Fui-On | ... |
Shing's right hand man
(as Fui-On Shing)
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| Hsieh Wang | ... |
Mr. Wang
(as Hap Wong)
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| Chi-Fai Chan | ... |
'Little' Wang
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| Ming Leung | ... |
Uncle Chan
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| Hing-Yin Kam | ... |
Mr. Mok
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Pierre Tremblay | ... |
Interpol Officer
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| Hark Tsui | ... |
Music Judge
(as Tsui Hark)
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Shung-Fung Lau | ... |
Taiwanese Triad
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Wei-Ho Tu | ... |
Taiwanese Triad
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| Yun-Sheng Pan | ... |
Taiwanese Triad
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Sing-Kwong Tsang | ... |
Taiwanese Triad
(as Seng-Kwong Chang)
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| Foo-Wai Lam | ... |
Taiwanese Triad
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| Stephen Chow | ... |
Taiwanese Triad
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| Hsin-Nan Hung | ... |
Triad Member
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Hsi-Chun Yang | ... |
Triad Member in Parking Lot
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Wai Tong Wong | ... |
Shing's Gangster
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Te-Wei Chu | ... |
Shing's Gangster
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| Ming-Wai Chan | ... |
Shing's Gangster
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| Wing-Hon Cheung | ... |
Shing's Gangster
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| Wai-Cheung Mak | ... |
Brawl Extra
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Han-Yuan Ma | ... |
Brawl Extra
(as Hon-Yuen Ma)
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Patrick Leung |
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| Kwok Leung Cheung |
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Ying-Chieh Han | ... |
Old policeman at station
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Danny Ng | ... |
Henchman (uncredited)
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Directed by
| John Woo | ||
Written by
| Hing-Ka Chan | ... | (written by) (as Chan Hing Kai) & |
| Suk-Wah Leung | ... | (written by) (as Leung Suk Wah) & |
| John Woo | ... | (written by) |
Produced by
| Hark Tsui | ... | producer (as Tsui Hark) |
| John Woo | ... | producer |
Music by
| Joseph Koo | ... | (as Ka-Fai Koo) |
Cinematography by
| Wing-Hang Wong | ||
Editing by
| Ma Kam | ||
| David Wu | ||
Editorial Department
| Simon Broderick | ... | colorist |
Production Design by
| Chi Leung Lui | ||
Art Direction by
| Bennie Lui | ||
Costume Design by
| Gam-Jan Yeung | ||
Production Management
| Tony Kwok-Chung Chow | ... | production manager (as Tony Chow) |
| Yu-Kin Ng | ... | production manager |
| Ga-Man Wan | ... | production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Chi-Ming Leung | ... | assistant director |
| Patrick Leung | ... | assistant director |
Stunts
| Blackie Shou-Liang Ko | ... | action choreographer |
| Wei Tung | ... | action choreographer |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Lik-Fong Ng | ... | still photographer |
| Kim-Kit Wai | ... | lighting director |
| Jan-Wah Yuen | ... | assistant camera |
Script and Continuity Department
| Wing-Tuen Chow | ... | script supervisor |
Additional Crew
| Hark Tsui | ... | presenter (as Tsui Hark) |
| Wei Tung | ... | action director |
| Simon Broad | ... | adr group (uncredited) |
| Ping-Keung Cheung | ... | cantonese voice dubbing: Shi Yanzi (uncredited) |
| Gui Chin | ... | cantonese voice dubbing: Tien Fung (uncredited) |
| Leung Ching-Ping | ... | cantonese voice dubbing: Waise Lee (uncredited) |
| Hung Lu | ... | cantonese voice dubbing: Kam Hing-Yin (uncredited) / cantonese voice dubbing: Shing Fui-On (uncredited) |
| Chan Wing Shun | ... | cantonese voice dubbing: Leung Ming (uncredited) |
| Gregory Snegoff | ... | voice dubbing: Lung Ti (uncredited) |
| Doris Lo So-Kuen | ... | cantonese voice dubbing: Emily Chu (uncredited) |
| Tinson Lo Tin-San | ... | cantonese voice dubbing: Hung San-Nam (uncredited) |
| Stephen Chi-Sing Wong | ... | cantonese voice dubbing: Ti Lung (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Rim (1993) (United States) (theatrical) (subtitled)
- Astro Distribution (1998) (Germany) (VHS)
- B&H Film Distribution (2021) (Ukraine) (theatrical) (dubbed version)
- CinémArt (2021) (Slovakia) (theatrical)
- Falcon (2021) (Czechia) (theatrical)
- Metropolitan Filmexport (1993) (France) (theatrical)
- Nippon Herald Films (1987) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Vértice 360 (Spain) (theatrical)
- Ústrední Pujcovna Filmu (1989) (Czechoslovakia) (theatrical)
- Anchor Bay Entertainment (United States) (DVD)
- Bandai Visual Company (1998) (Japan) (VHS)
- Cinemax (2024) (Poland) (tv) (Dubbed version)
- Dutch FilmWorks (DFW) (2002) (Netherlands) (DVD) (VHS) (retail)
- Ekaterinburg Art Home Video (EAHV) (Russia) (VHS)
- EuroVideo (Germany) (VHS)
- Filmhouse (2006) (Czechia) (DVD)
- Fox Crime (2007) (Japan) (tv)
- Gativideo (1993) (Argentina) (VHS)
- Hong Kong Cinema Classics (2025) (World-wide)
- IVE (1987) (West Germany) (VHS)
- KSM (2003) (Germany) (DVD)
- Laser Paradise (Germany) (DVD) (unknown)
- Nippon Herald Films (1990) (Japan) (VHS)
- Optimum Home Entertainment (2006) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Pony Canyon (1999) (Japan) (DVD)
- Republic Pictures Home Video (1994) (United States) (VHS)
- World Wide Cinema (2002) (Netherlands) (DVD) (VHS) (rental)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Cinema City Recording Studio (sound re-recording)
- International Subtitle Co. (subtitles)
- Mandarin Laboratory (International) Ltd. (film processing)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
This story is the tale of two brothers: one a successful counterfeiter and the younger a fledgling graduate of the HK police academy. The plot revolves around the split when the younger brother learns the other is a criminal and the efforts of the criminal brother to reform. Along the way are plenty of heists, double-crosses, and shoot outs.
Written by Victor R. Volkman |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | The movie that began it all......... See more » |
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| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | This film became so popular, that kids in Hong Kong started wearing long coats, known as "dusters" to copy the lead character in the film. See more » |
| Goofs | The cello playing at the "audition" (c.11 minutes) is inaccurately mimed. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Edited into A Better Tomorrow II (1987). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Sparrowfall See more » |
| Quotes |
Ho Tse Sung:
Kit... Tse-Kit Sung: Don't ever call me Kit again! You will adress me as "Officer!" Ho Tse Sung: Officer... I'm no longer the Big Boss. I haven't the Big Boss for a long time. See more » |