Bullet in the Head (1990)

When three close friends escape from Hong Kong to war-time Saigon to start a criminal's life, they all go through a harrowing experience which totally shatters their lives and their friendship forever.

Director:

John Woo

Writers:

Janet Chun, Patrick Leung

Stars:

Tony Chiu-Wai Leung, Jacky Cheung, Waise Lee

1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tony Chiu-Wai Leung	...	Ben / Siu Bun (as Tony Chiu Wai Leung)
Jacky Cheung	...	Frank / Fai Jai
Waise Lee	...	Paul / Sau Ming
Simon Yam	...	Luke / Lok
Yolinda Yam	...	Sally Yan Sau Ching
Chung Lam	...	Mr. Y.S. Leong
Fennie Yuen	...	Jane / Siu Jan
Kan-Wing Tsang	...	Jane's father
Hang Shuen So	...	Jane's mother
John Woo	...	Policeman
Hee Ching Paw	...	Ben's mother
Tseng Chang	...	Paul's father
San-Yan Siao	...	Mr. Shing
Paco Yick	...	Ringo (as Tin Hung Yee)
Yun Pei	...	Frank's mother

Storyline

In 1967, on the way to the wedding of a friend a young man is accosted by a local gang member. Later, the three friends administer justice, in the process of which the gang member is killed, so they leave Hong Kong to avoid the police and the gang. They run black market supplies to Saigon and get embroiled in the war, being arrested as Viet Cong, then later captured by the Viet Cong, and find that their friendship is tested to the limits as they try to escape.

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Plot Keywords:

poliziottesco | hong kong poliziottesco | friend | saigon | friendship | 

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller | War

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The helicopter footage used in the camp raid was a mixture of stock footage from the Vietnam war, as well as scenes from another Vietnam movie.

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Quotes

Ben: [pointing a gun at Paul] You shot Frank, now I'll shoot you! But since you're my friend, I'll fire a lethal shot!

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Alternate Versions

In 1997 the German distributor re-released the film on video as an uncut version.

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Connections

Referenced in Remo, Rambo, Reagan and Reds: The Eighties Action Movie Explosion (2014)

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Soundtracks

I'm a Believer
Written by Neil Diamond
Performed by The Monkees
S.E. Asia Music

User Reviews

a trip into violence

I saw this film once with my friends and it ruined our nerves. This film grabs and doesn´t let loose till its finished. It is the only film I ever saw that had violence really, not only so to say, non-stop. Even if the guys crossed a street or bought something to eat the bullet-showers didn´t stop. Watching this film is a nightmare because it just doesn´t stop till nearly everyone is dead. What it makes so attracting is the fact, that it works, this film is the climax of its genre, it is hard to imagine that any film can be more focused on violence than this film. Its also hard to tell entertainment from rejection and thats what John Woo can do better than anyone. His intensity in violence is close to Pasolinis 120 Days Of Sodom And Gomorrha and some films of David Lynch, but he does it in his own unique consequent ways, which certainly generated a new set a new style and standard in filming. This film though not so amusing as hard boiled got 10 instead of 9 because of its extraordinary strangeness. Watch this film and be sure to have a good beer with friends afterwards to come down again, otherwise your sleep will be affected.

Details

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

Cantonese English Vietnamese French

Release Date:

17 August 1990 (Hong Kong)

Also Known As:

Bullet in the Head

Filming Locations:

Hong Kong, China

Box Office

Budget:

$3,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Golden Princess Film Production Limited, John Woo Film Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

136 min 97 min (heavily cut) (video)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1