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A Better Tomorrow

Original title: Ying hung boon sik
  • 19861986
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
22K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Chow Yun-Fat, Leslie Cheung, and Lung Ti in Ying hung boon sik (1986)
Watch {VideoTitle}
Play trailer4:34
1 Video
76 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
7.5/10
22K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • John Woo
  • Writers
    • Hing-Ka Chan
    • Suk-Wah Leung
    • John Woo
  • Stars
    • Lung Ti
    • Leslie Cheung
    • Chow Yun-Fat
Top credits
  • Director
    • John Woo
  • Writers
    • Hing-Ka Chan
    • Suk-Wah Leung
    • John Woo
  • Stars
    • Lung Ti
    • Leslie Cheung
    • Chow Yun-Fat
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 104User reviews
    • 62Critic reviews
    • 78Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 6 wins & 14 nominations

    Videos1

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

    Photos76

    Ying hung boon sik (1986)
    Ying hung boon sik (1986)
    Ying hung boon sik (1986)
    Ying hung boon sik (1986)
    Ying hung boon sik (1986)
    Ying hung boon sik (1986)
    Ying hung boon sik (1986)
    Ying hung boon sik (1986)
    Yanzi Shi in Ying hung boon sik (1986)
    Waise Lee in Ying hung boon sik (1986)
    Hsieh Wang in Ying hung boon sik (1986)
    Ying hung boon sik (1986)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Lung Ti
    Lung Ti
    • Sung Tse-Hoas Sung Tse-Ho
    Leslie Cheung
    Leslie Cheung
    • Sung Tse-Kitas Sung Tse-Kit
    Chow Yun-Fat
    Chow Yun-Fat
    • Markas Mark
    Emily Chu
    Emily Chu
    • Jackieas Jackie
    Waise Lee
    Waise Lee
    • Shingas Shing
    • (as Lee Chi Hung)
    Feng Tien
    Feng Tien
    • Father Sungas Father Sung
    John Woo
    John Woo
    • Inspector Wuas Inspector Wu
    Yanzi Shi
    • Mr. Yiuas Mr. Yiu
    Kenneth Tsang
    Kenneth Tsang
    • Kenas Ken
    Fui-On Shing
    Fui-On Shing
    • Shing's right hand manas Shing's right hand man
    Hsieh Wang
    Hsieh Wang
    • Mr. Wangas Mr. Wang
    • (as Hap Wong)
    Chi-Fai Chan
    Chi-Fai Chan
    • 'Little' Wangas 'Little' Wang
    Ming Leung
    Ming Leung
    • Uncle Chanas Uncle Chan
    Hing-Yin Kam
    Hing-Yin Kam
    • Mr. Mokas Mr. Mok
    Pierre Tremblay
    • Interpol Officeras Interpol Officer
    Hark Tsui
    Hark Tsui
    • Music Judgeas Music Judge
    • (as Tsui Hark)
    Shung Fung Lau
    • Taiwanese Triadas Taiwanese Triad
    Wei-Ho Tu
    • Taiwanese Triadas Taiwanese Triad
    • Director
      • John Woo
    • Writers
      • Hing-Ka Chan
      • Suk-Wah Leung
      • John Woo
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    More like this

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    7.3
    A Better Tomorrow II
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    Hard Boiled
    7.8
    Hard Boiled
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    6.8
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    A Better Tomorrow III: Love and Death in Saigon
    5.9
    A Better Tomorrow III: Love and Death in Saigon
    Prison on Fire
    7.3
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    City on Fire
    7.1
    City on Fire
    God of Gamblers
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    God of Gamblers
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    6.4
    Just Heroes
    Manhunt
    5.2
    Manhunt
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    7.4
    Red Cliff

    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —Victor R. Volkman <sysop@hal9k.com>
    friendshipcrime bosscriminal underworldneo noirpolice225 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The movie that began it all.........
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • Not Rated
    • Parents guide

    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
      Brian Eno

    User reviews104

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    One fine film from John Woo
    This film just works!! Besides Woo's top notch action sequences, I was amazed by the great story. Chow Yun Fat is great as Mark and Leslie Cheung is very good as Kit. However, I think the main spotlight is on Ti Lung who is amazing as Ho. The story of loyalty & friendship is the main emphasis here and is essential. Plus, the chemistry between the actors is so apparent, you can see that they must've had so much fun making this movie.

    I can see myself watching this again and again...
    helpful•20
    4
    • InzyWimzy
    • May 21, 2002

    Details

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

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $4,999,517
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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