The Mission (1999)
"Cheung fo" (original title)

Triad boss Lung, who has just escaped being killed in an assassination attempt hires the killers Curtis, James, Mike, Roy and Shin for his protection. Their grown solidarity is under ... See full summary »

Director:

Johnnie To

Writer:

Nai-Hoi Yau

Stars:

Anthony Wong Chau-Sang, Francis Ng, Jackie Lui Chung-yin

9 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anthony Wong Chau-Sang	...	Curtis (as Anthony Wong)
Francis Ng	...	Roy (as Francis Wong)
Jackie Lui Chung-yin	...	Shin (as Jackie Lui)
Roy Cheung	...	Mike
Suet Lam	...	James (as Lam Suet)
Simon Yam	...	Frank
Tian-lin Wang	...	Fat Cheung (as Wong Tin Lam)
Eddy Ko	...	Lung (as Ko Hung)
Elaine Eca Da Silva	...	Lung's wife
Keiji Sato	...	Warehouse assassin (as Sato Keiji)
Wai Ai	...	(as Ai Wai)
Man Shing Yau	...	Lung's bodyguard (as Yau Man Shing)
Cub Chin	...	Saliva
Yick Tin Hung
Jerome Fung

Storyline

Triad boss Lung, who has just escaped being killed in an assassination attempt hires the killers Curtis, James, Mike, Roy and Shin for his protection. Their grown solidarity is under compulsion when Lung orders Curtis to kill Shin in punishment for his affair with Mrs. Lung.

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Plot Keywords:

triads | assassination attempt | punishment | killer | wrath | 

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Taglines:

Five men. They appreciate each other's guts and wisdom, and they are always perfect partners in missions. But now, they'll have to hold their pistols at each other...

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

Cantonese

Release Date:

19 November 1999 (Hong Kong)

Also Known As:

A misszó - Halott üzlet

Company Credits

Production Co:

Milky Way Image Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

During the gun battle at the abandoned warehouse, the window is cracked by gunfire. After few gun shots, the bullet holes disappear.

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Quotes

Fat Cheung: The restaurant hasn't been doing well lately. I want to sell out my shares.
Lung: You don't have many shares left in the restaurant.
Fat Cheung: Well, forget it then.
Lung: How much do you want?
Fat Cheung: 30 million.
Lung: I'll transfer the money to your account tomorrow morning.
Fat Cheung: Thanks.
Lung: Don't do too much gambling.
Fat Cheung: [leaving] Okie dokie.

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Connections

Featured in Johnnie Got His Gun! (2010)

User Reviews

Johnnie To - Hong Kong's best kept secret

Johnnie To is one of the world's most underrated contemporary film directors. Working in Hong Kong he effortlessly switches between genre flicks (like The Mission, but he's equally at home in rom-coms (like Needing You or Love on a Diet) and weirder though sometimes even better material like 'Running on Karma' (or Heroic Trio is earlier times). The man is just as prolific as he is original, and even if he is derivative he is still a great, effortless entertainer. His Milky Ways production company makes studio and independent films with the same dedication. His latest film 'Election' is actually in competition in this year's Cannes. The Mission is the type of film Jean-Pierre Melville would probably make today. Its a mix of Hong Kong Noir and stylised set-piece. It boasts some of Hong Kong acting heavy-weights (many of which appear also in the Infernal Affairs trilogy). Dialogue is minimal, efficiency is the maxime. The music is so detached that the effect overall is almost hypnotising. The film is not perfect, and the flaws hurt because this could have easily been truly great. Still, it's way above average. Watch this and anything else by To you can get your hands on. It boggles