Woh ping faan dim (1995)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Ka-Fai Wai

Writers:

Yun-Fat Chow (story)
Ka-Fai Wai (writer)

Release Date:

12 April 1995 (Hong Kong)

Genre:

Action | Western

Plot:

Set circa 1930, "The King of Killers", a one-man killing machine who, after his wife's murder, has decided to set up the "Peace Hotel"...

Plot Keywords:

Heroic Bloodshed | Legend

Awards:

1 win & 6 nominations

Cast

Yun-Fat Chow	...	The Killer (as Chow Yun Fat)
Cecilia Yip	...	Shau Siu Man / Lam Ling
Ho Chin	...	Ting Moon
Shun Lau	...	Blindman
Annabelle Lau	...	Skinny
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Gary Mak	...	Fook - guest at Peace hotel
Lawrence Ng
Chien-lien Wu	...	Cameo appearance

Also Known As:

He ping fan dian (Hong Kong: Mandarin title)
Peace Hotel (Hong Kong: English title)

Runtime:

89 min

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

Cantonese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:15 | South Korea:15 | Australia:M | Germany:18

Quotes:

The Killer: Put your trousers back on, before your willy catches a chill

Movie Connections:

References Django (1966)

Interesting Chinese "Western"

First time director Ka-Fai Wai, a seasoned TV writer, and producer John Woo team up to create a very interesting vehicle for Chow Yun Fat. Styled like a spaghetti western, the film is set in the chaotic times after the fall of the last emperor and start of the Chinese republic.

Chow Yun Fat plays the Killer, a gang leader with a tragic past. During a fight with a gang, his wife is killed. The Killer goes nuts and kills everyone including his own gang. Years later he opens the "Peace Hotel", a place for criminals on the run to find refuge and reform. In enters a woman claiming to be his dead wife. The residents of the Hotel are fooled but of course the Killer isn't and is very angry at her deception. His anger is compounded when she steals his belongings. He is about to throw her out when a huge gang shows up on horseback. They are after her for killing their beloved leader. The Killer changes his mind and shelters the woman. Despite his kindness, the woman continues her deceptive ways. The gang demands that the woman be delivered to them in 21 days or else they are going to storm the hotel.

A very well made production, the sets are great, the acting overall very good and Ka-Fai Wai's direction is very assured for a first time effort. There is a good sense of humor throughout. Chow Yun Fat is great and carries the film from start to finish. The music is good, very reminiscent of Morricone or the great chambara themes although the obvious use of synthesizers for all the instruments lowers the quality a little. The biggest problem for me was a couple of very big plot holes (at least that's how I saw it) which is sad since the film is very good. The action is not central to the movie and those looking for elaborate martial arts will likely be disappointed. The big action scenes are shot in blurry close-ups with lots of dust and shaky camera work. Celia Yip's character gets beaten and slapped around a lot in this film (the character repeatedly provokes most of the abuse) so you might think twice before watching this with a girlfriend.

A good film for Chow Yun Fat fans and anyone looking for unique examples of HK film making.