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IMDbPro

A Better Tomorrow

Original title: Ying hung boon sik
  • 19861986
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
24K
YOUR RATING
Chow Yun-Fat, Leslie Cheung, and Lung Ti in A Better Tomorrow (1986)
Watch Trailer [OV]
Play trailer4:34
1 Video
78 Photos
ActionCrimeDrama
A reforming ex-gangster tries to reconcile with his estranged policeman brother, but the ties to his former gang are difficult to break.A reforming ex-gangster tries to reconcile with his estranged policeman brother, but the ties to his former gang are difficult to break.A reforming ex-gangster tries to reconcile with his estranged policeman brother, but the ties to his former gang are difficult to break.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
24K
YOUR RATING
    • John Woo
    • Hing-Ka Chan
    • Suk-Wah Leung
    • John Woo
  • Stars
    • Lung Ti
    • Leslie Cheung
    • Chow Yun-Fat
    • John Woo
    • Hing-Ka Chan
    • Suk-Wah Leung
    • John Woo
  • Stars
    • Lung Ti
    • Leslie Cheung
    • Chow Yun-Fat
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 108User reviews
    • 58Critic reviews
    • 78Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos1

    Trailer [OV]
    Trailer 4:34
    Watch Trailer [OV]

    Photos78

    A Better Tomorrow (1986)
    A Better Tomorrow (1986)
    Chow Yun-Fat and Lung Ti in A Better Tomorrow (1986)
    A Better Tomorrow (1986)
    A Better Tomorrow (1986)
    Chow Yun-Fat, Leslie Cheung, and Lung Ti in A Better Tomorrow (1986)
    Chow Yun-Fat, Leslie Cheung, and Lung Ti in A Better Tomorrow (1986)
    A Better Tomorrow (1986)
    Chow Yun-Fat in A Better Tomorrow (1986)
    Leslie Cheung in A Better Tomorrow (1986)
    Yanzi Shi in A Better Tomorrow (1986)
    Waise Lee in A Better Tomorrow (1986)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Lung Ti
    Lung Ti
    • Sung Tse-Ho
    • (as Ti Lung)
    Leslie Cheung
    Leslie Cheung
    • Sung Tse-Kit
    Chow Yun-Fat
    Chow Yun-Fat
    • Mark
    • (as Chow Yun Fat)
    Emily Chu
    Emily Chu
    • Jackie
    Waise Lee
    Waise Lee
    • Shing
    • (as Lee Chi Hung)
    Feng Tien
    Feng Tien
    • Father Sung
    John Woo
    John Woo
    • Inspector Wu
    Yanzi Shi
    • Mr. Yiu
    Kenneth Tsang
    Kenneth Tsang
    • Ken
    Fui-On Shing
    Fui-On Shing
    • Shing's right hand man
    Hsieh Wang
    Hsieh Wang
    • Mr. Wang
    • (as Hap Wong)
    Chi-Fai Chan
    Chi-Fai Chan
    • 'Little' Wang
    Ming Leung
    Ming Leung
    • Uncle Chan
    Hing-Yin Kam
    Hing-Yin Kam
    • Mr. Mok
    Pierre Tremblay
    • Interpol Officer
    Hark Tsui
    Hark Tsui
    • Music Judge
    • (as Tsui Hark)
    Shung-Fung Lau
    • Taiwanese Triad
    Wei-Ho Tu
    • Taiwanese Triad
      • John Woo
      • Hing-Ka Chan
      • Suk-Wah Leung
      • John Woo
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This film became so popular, that kids in Hong Kong started wearing long coats, known as "dusters" to copy the lead character in the film.
    • Goofs
      The cello playing at the "audition" (c.11 minutes) is inaccurately mimed.
    • Quotes

      Ho Tse Sung: Do you believe there's a God?

      Mark Gor: Yes. I am God. You're one. A god can be human. A god is someone who controls his destiny. Sometimes, there's things you can't control. You win some, you lose some.

    • Alternate versions
      German TV and Video-Versions are heavily cut for violence. The full uncut version was re-released by Astro-Video (Screenpower) and features all the violence. The Laserdisc-Release is also uncut
    • Connections
      Featured in A Better Tomorrow II (1987)
    • Soundtracks
      Sparrowfall
      Composed by Brian Eno

      Performed by Brian Eno

    User reviews108

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Brotherhood, Friendship and Loyalty
    In Hong Kong, the gangsters Sung Tse-Ho (Ti Lung) and Mark (Chow Yun Fat) are best friends. Ho's younger brother Sung Tse-Kit (Leslie Cheung) wants to be a police officer and does not know that his brother is a criminal. When Ho travels with another criminal to Taiwan for a negotiation, he is betrayed and arrested by the police. Meanwhile Mark kills the gang that betrayed his friend. After three years, Ho is finally released from the prison and returns to Hong Kong. He finds that Kit hates him and is investigating the Mafia and Mark is limped and in complete misery. But Ho promises that he would not return to life of outlaw and prefers to work as taxi driver. However he is haunted by his past and the need of protecting his estranged brother. .

    "Ying hung boon sik", a.k.a. "A Better Tomorrow", is a great crime film directed by John Woo. The good storyline about brotherhood, friendship and loyalty is full of action. The screenplay is tight and Sung Tse-Ho is a nice character incapable to regenerate due to the corrupt system. In the 80's, this movie had a greater impact but it is still a great action movie. My vote is seven.

    Title (Brazil): "Alvo Duplo" ("Double Target")
    helpful•9
    1
    • claudio_carvalho
    • Sep 7, 2015

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 2, 1986 (Hong Kong)
      • Hong Kong
      • Cantonese
      • Mandarin
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Hong Kong, China
    • Production companies
      • Cinema City
      • Film Workshop
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 35 minutes
      • Color
      • Mono

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    Chow Yun-Fat, Leslie Cheung, and Lung Ti in A Better Tomorrow (1986)
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