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PTU

  • 20032003
  • RR
  • 1h 25m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
4.5K
YOUR RATING
PTU (2003)
Trailer 1
Play trailer1:53
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Thriller
When an obnoxious detective loses his gun to four young thugs, it's up to the P.T.U. (Police Tactical Unit) and their iron-willed leader to recover the weapon and clean up the mess before da... Read allWhen an obnoxious detective loses his gun to four young thugs, it's up to the P.T.U. (Police Tactical Unit) and their iron-willed leader to recover the weapon and clean up the mess before daybreak.When an obnoxious detective loses his gun to four young thugs, it's up to the P.T.U. (Police Tactical Unit) and their iron-willed leader to recover the weapon and clean up the mess before daybreak.
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
4.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Johnnie To
  • Writers
    • Nai-Hoi Yau
    • Kin-Yee Au
  • Stars
    • Simon Yam
    • Suet Lam
    • Ruby Wong
Top credits
  • Director
    • Johnnie To
  • Writers
    • Nai-Hoi Yau
    • Kin-Yee Au
  • Stars
    • Simon Yam
    • Suet Lam
    • Ruby Wong
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 22User reviews
    • 62Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 14 wins & 25 nominations

    Videos1

    PTU
    Trailer 1:53
    PTU

    Photos330

    PTU (2003)
    PTU (2003)
    PTU (2003)
    PTU (2003)
    PTU (2003)
    PTU (2003)
    PTU (2003)
    PTU (2003)
    PTU (2003)
    PTU (2003)
    PTU (2003)
    PTU (2003)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Simon Yam
    Simon Yam
    • Sergeant Mike Ho
    Suet Lam
    Suet Lam
    • Sergeant Lo Sa
    • (as Lam Suet)
    Ruby Wong
    Ruby Wong
    • Inspector Leigh Cheng
    Maggie Siu
    Maggie Siu
    • Kat
    • (as Maggie Shiu)
    Raymond Ho-Yin Wong
    Raymond Ho-Yin Wong
    • Supervisor Wong
    • (as Raymond Wong)
    Eddy Ko
    Eddy Ko
    • Eye Ball
    • (as Ko Hung)
    Hoi-Pang Lo
    Hoi-Pang Lo
    • Bald Head
    • (as Loi Hoi Pang)
    Jerome Fung
    • Sergeant Fung
    Frank Michael Liu
    Frank Michael Liu
    • Triad
    • (as Frank Liu)
    Chi-Ping Chang
    Chi-Ping Chang
    • Insp. Chan's subordinate
    • (as Chi Ping Cheung)
    Soi Cheang
    Soi Cheang
    • Undercover cop
    • (as Pou-Soi Cheang)
    Moon-Yuen Cheung
    Moon-Yuen Cheung
    • PTU Orderly
    • (as Kenneth Cheung)
    Chi-Shing Chiu
    • Ponnytail
    Wai-Kwok Kwok
    Roderick Lam
    Roderick Lam
    • Mike's team member
    Ching-Ting Law
    • Robber in final shootout
    Tian-Lin Wang
    Tian-Lin Wang
    • Uncle Cheung
    Chi Wai Wong
    Chi Wai Wong
    • Brother Hei
    • Director
      • Johnnie To
    • Writers
      • Nai-Hoi Yau
      • Kin-Yee Au
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Quotes

      Sergeant Mike Ho: Everyone in uniforms are brothers.

    • Connections
      Featured in Johnnie Got His Gun! (2010)

    User reviews22

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    A slice of To magic
    Johnny To is turning into a real favorite of mine. After praising Mad Detective and Sparrow earlier, now it's time to rewind and take a look at a slightly older To film. PTU proved to be just as impressive as his successors.

    I try not to expect too much when I approach older films of a director as his trademark style might not be perfected yet. This is the point where PTU surprised me the most. It just breathes To and even though it is starting to age a little, you will hardly notice it when watching the film. To's trademark style is already fully present and already a real spectacle to behold.

    Do mind the marketing of the film though, as it is often presented as somewhat of an action flick. PTU is clearly not that. Even though there a few action scenes and one major stand off, the rest of the film is brooding and slow, playing on atmosphere and emotion. But if you've seen any other recent To flicks, you'll already know what I'm talking about.

    Visually PTU is a little gem. The lighting is exquisite as Hong Kong's nightly appearance is a collection of dark patches broken down by bright lights. To is constantly playing with the visuals, trying to create a ghostly and barren city which at the same time steams and is ready to burst. Camera work is equally impressive as the camera floats and flies through its surroundings. To knows how to shoot film, that much is certain.

    The soundtrack is interesting (again a trademark To element) as it captures a certain atmosphere not often found in a film like this. Always a little off-key and uncommon, but To manages to make it work time after time. The film benefits from the score in several key scenes where the tension is built up to explode into a stylish climax. Good stuff alright.

    I guess most people will trip over the storyline, since PTU is pretty sparse when it comes to actual events. The setup is simple, as Lam's character loses his gun and Yam and his crew aid him in recapturing it. Things get out of hand and it all leads up to an impressive gathering of all parties involved (which are quite a few near the end). And even though the film boasts a very amusing ending the key is not within the main story arc but within the individual scenes themselves.

    To is one of those directors that can bring life to a scene. He dares to stretch them and brings audio and visuals together to build up tension and to develop a solid atmosphere. The storyline becomes nothing more than a hook and for those hungering for telltales to keep them occupied this could well be quite frustrating. Other film fans will appreciate To's magic and the way he applies it to turn each scene into something more than just a presentation of a storyline.

    PTU is first class film-making. Lam en Yam are good actors and know how to play their parts. The soundtrack is solid and the film is visually impressive. It even boasts a simple but fun and sufficiently developed storyline. But if that is what you care about the most, you will miss the real magic of To's film-making. 4.0*/5.0*
    helpful•5
    0
    • Onderhond
    • Mar 10, 2009

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 17, 2003 (Hong Kong)
    • Country of origin
      • Hong Kong
    • Languages
      • Cantonese
      • English
    • Also known as
      • PTU: Police Tactical Unit
    • Production companies
      • Mei Ah Films Production Co. Ltd.
      • Milky Way Image Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $849
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 25 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital EX
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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