The Protector (1985)

Two New York City cops, Billy Wong and Danny Garoni, head to Hong Kong after the daughter of a rich businessman is kidnapped by the drug lord, Mr. Ko.

Director:

James Glickenhaus

Writers:

James Glickenhaus, King Sang Tang (Hong Kong version)

Stars:

Jackie Chan, Danny Aiello, Sandy Alexander

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jackie Chan	...	Billy Wong
Danny Aiello	...	Danny Garoni
Sandy Alexander	...	Gang Leader
Victor Arnold	...	Police Captain
Kim Bass	...	Stan Jones
Irene Britto	...	Masseuse #1
Jesse Cameron-Glickenhaus	...	Jesse Alexander
Al Cerullo	...	Helicopter Pilot
Roy Chiao	...	Mr. Ko
Richard Clarke	...	Superintendant Whitehead
Patrick James Clarke	...	Michael Alexander
Ron Dandrea	...	Martin Shapiro
Valerie De Pena	...	Punk Woman
Saun Ellis	...	Laura Shapiro
Richard Epper	...	Man in Bar

Storyline

Billy Wong is a New York City cop whose partner is gunned down during a robbery. Billy and his new partner, Danny Garoni, are working security at a fashion show when a wealthy man's daughter, Laura Shapiro, is kidnapped. The Federal authorities suspect that Laura's father is involved with Mr. Ko, a Hong Kong drug kingpin, so the NYC police commissioner sends the two cops to Hong Kong to investigate. Once in Hong Kong, the pair causes no end of trouble for both Mr. Ko and the local authorities.

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Plot Keywords:

assassination attempt | american | vietnam war veteran | hong kong | drugs | 

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Taglines:

Now, New York has a new weapon - A cop with his own way of fighting crime

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Hong Kong USA

Language:

English Cantonese

Release Date:

23 August 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Protector

Filming Locations:

Hong Kong, China

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$341,076, 25 August 1985, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$981,817

Company Credits

Production Co:

Eurasia Investments, Golden Harvest Company, Golden Way Films Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby (US version) Mono (Hong Kong version)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The U.S. version is the first Jackie Chan movie to feature the word "fu-ck".

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Goofs

As the bad guy drives away in the stolen boat near the beginning of the movie, the stunt driver is visible in the cabin below.

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Quotes

Hood #1: [cursing his bad luck at still being pursued] That fucking Chinaman don't give up!

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Alternate Versions

Dissatisfied and immensely disappointed with the American version, Jackie Chan went back and reshot and added new sections of the film for the Hong Kong version, including the addition of a whole new subplot.

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Connections

Referenced in From New York to Hong Kong: An Interview with James Glickenhaus (2013)

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Soundtracks

Night Wind
Courtesy of WEA Records
Composed by James Wong
Performed by Sally Yeh

User Reviews

Ruined by dumb American executives

Jackie Chan had no control of this movie (at least the American version). The director somehow thought that Jackie would come across better to audiences as a Dirty Harry cop! Didn't he realize that Chan is popular because of his stunts and kung-fu action? Apparently not, because in an interview years later, the director said he didn't regret his decision and kept claiming that Americans wouldn't accept Chan's Asian style.

Back in Hong Kong, Chan re-shot the movie extensively, adding car chases and kung fu action. He also edited out a lot of the American director's idiotic stuff. That version is supposed to be quite good. This American version? It's AWFUL! You'd never guess what Chan is capable of by just watching this movie. The action scenes here are *dull*. Yes, *dull*.

By the way, Chan next did POLICE STORY, as a "take that!" to that American director (James Glickenhaus, who hasn't done much lately. Hmm...wonder why....). See that movie instead of this!