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

In the boat chase scene, the camera helicopter's shadow is seen on the water.

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Quotes

Billy Wong: [to his superior] He killed Michael, Captain!

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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

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

User Reviews

Chan is completely miscast here

This movie is not Jackie's style at all.He is born to play cartoonish,witty characters in far fetched situations like in "Winners and Sinners",but this is just a cold,heartless,clich'ed,dull and boring American action movie.I once read the opening sequence hailed as being"a rival for James Bond films for elaborate thrills".The scene,which is a speed boat chase,is one of the most boring and dragged out action scenes I have ever seen,and the outcome(Jackie beind lifted from a helicopter out of the boat and it crashing into the other boat and exploading)can be seen coming a mile away.I also once read that Chan considered this one of his worst movies.I agree with him wholeheartdly.The ending title song(called the protector)is the worst title song I have ever heard.(those that have seen it will know,as long as they didn't switch off by then).And by the way,who exactly is he protecting?

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