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A Better Tomorrow (1986)

Ying hung boon sik (original title)
Not Rated | | Action, Crime, Drama | 2 August 1986 (Hong Kong)
A Better Tomorrow Poster
A reforming ex-gangster tries to reconcile with his estranged policeman brother, but the ties to his former gang are difficult to break.

Director:

Writers:

(as Chan Hing Kai), (as Leung Suk Wah) | 1 more credit »

Stars:

, , | See full cast & crew »
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6 wins & 14 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
... Sung Tse-Ho (as Ti Lung)
... Mark (as Chow Yun Fat)
... Sung Tse-Kit
Emily Chu ... Jackie
... Shing (as Lee Chi Hung)
... Father Sung
... Inspector Wu
Yanzi Shi ... Mr. Yiu
... Ken
... Shing's right hand man
... Mr. Wang (as Hap Wong)
Chi Fai Chan ... 'Little' Wang
Ming Leung ... Uncle Chan
Hing-Yin Kam ... Mr. Mok
Pierre Tremblay ... Interpol Officer
See full cast »
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Storyline

This story is the tale of two brothers: one a successful counterfeiter and the younger a fledgling graduate of the HK police academy. The plot revolves around the split when the younger brother learns the other is a criminal and the efforts of the criminal brother to reform. Along the way are plenty of heists, double-crosses, and shoot outs. Written by Victor R. Volkman <sysop@hal9k.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

shot to death | shooting | blood | taipei taiwan | cake | See All (200) »

Taglines:

Brothers by blood. Enemies by chance. Killers by nature. See more »

Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Certificate:

Not Rated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

| |

Release Date:

2 August 1986 (Hong Kong)  »

Also Known As:

A Better Tomorrow  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

,  »
Show more on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

| (5.1 Surround Sound)| (DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1) (Blu-ray release)

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Some theatre owners originally expressed concern to producer Hark Tsui about the casting of Yun-Fat Chow. Even though he was popular on TV, most of his films had been flops. Chow's nickname in industry circles for many years was "box-office poison". See more »

Goofs

The cameraman can be seen in the reflection of the characters' sunglasses. See more »

Quotes

Shing: Business is good right now. I was hoping that you'd like to cooperate.
Ho Tse Sung: Why's that?
Shing: You're still our boss. Mark will handle money trafficking. I traffic the drugs. Earn some money for the company. There's too many old debts, we need you to get our money back.
Ho Tse Sung: Get to the point.
Shing: We need an insider at the police department. Maybe your brother? There's nothing better than having one of your own on the force.
Ho Tse Sung: Come here. I have something to tell you.
[drags Shing into a board room]
Ho Tse Sung: What if I don't ...
[...]
See more »

Connections

Referenced in The Replacement Killers (1998) See more »

Soundtracks

Birdy's Flight
Written and performed by Peter Gabriel
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Brotherhood, Friendship and Loyalty
7 September 2015 | by – See all my reviews

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")
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