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

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 | slow clap | aerial camera shot | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The "Manhattan Express" boat used by Jackie Chan was/is (as of 2014) owned by writer/director James Glickenhaus. A full scale prop model was blown up for the movie.

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Goofs

A gangster swinging a bat at Billy, in the massage parlor, changes in the subsequent shot.

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Quotes

Billy Wong: Give me the fucking keys

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Alternate Versions

The Japanese cut of the film, footage-wise, is virtually identical to the Hong Kong cut. However, the scenes in New York maintain their English dialogue, while the scenes that take place in Hong Kong (which is the bulk of the film) are in Cantonese. The biggest difference is that the Japanese cut is the only version to contain an end credits outtakes montage. This version has been available on laserdisc as well as a 2014 Japanese "Extreme Edition" blu-ray.

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Connections

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

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Soundtracks

One Up For the Good Guys
Composed and Performed by Chip Taylor

User Reviews

6 out of 10

I DIDNT HATE IT! which really surprised me, because everyone on IMDb said this movie totally sucked and I went in expecting the worst. Sure Jackie is miscast, but other than the addition of curse words, his character isnt any darker than in Crime Story or Police Story 2. The action is slow, but better than any of the American action junk I've ever seen. Plus, there is tons of full-frontal nudity! Bet you didnt expect that from a Jackie Chan movie, did ya? I can understand why JC was disappointed with it, because it is nowhere near as good as almost any of his other 80's-90's movies, but it aint all that bad. Go in thinking you will hate it, and you just might like it.

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)

Gross USA:

$981,817

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$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