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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
23K
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
  • Action
  • Crime
  • Drama
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
23K
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
    • 105User reviews
    • 62Critic reviews
    • 78Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 6 wins & 14 nominations

    Videos1

    Trailer [OV]
    Trailer 4:34
    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-Hoas Sung Tse-Ho
    • (as Ti Lung)
    Leslie Cheung
    Leslie Cheung
    • Sung Tse-Kitas Sung Tse-Kit
    Chow Yun-Fat
    Chow Yun-Fat
    • Markas Mark
    • (as Chow Yun Fat)
    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

    A Better Tomorrow II
    7.2
    A Better Tomorrow II
    The Killer
    7.8
    The Killer
    Hard Boiled
    7.7
    Hard Boiled
    Once a Thief
    6.7
    Once a Thief
    Bullet in the Head
    7.5
    Bullet in the Head
    A Better Tomorrow III: Love and Death in Saigon
    5.9
    A Better Tomorrow III: Love and Death in Saigon
    God of Gamblers
    7.2
    God of Gamblers
    Just Heroes
    6.4
    Just Heroes
    Red Cliff
    7.3
    Red Cliff
    Manhunt
    5.2
    Manhunt
    Prison on Fire
    7.3
    Prison on Fire
    Infernal Affairs
    8.0
    Infernal Affairs

    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 reviews105

    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

    Related news

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