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The Prisoner

Original title: Huo shao dao
  • 19901990
  • RR
  • 2h 5m
IMDb RATING
5.7/10
3.6K
YOUR RATING
Jackie Chan, Sammo Kam-Bo Hung, Chun-Hsiung Ko, Andy Lau, Tony Ka Fai Leung, Tsung-Hua Tou, and Jimmy Wang Yu in The Prisoner (1990)
Home Video Trailer from Columbia Tristar
Play trailer0:38
1 Video
43 Photos
  • Action
  • Crime
  • Drama
A cop goes undercover to infiltrate a deadly prison where a team of mercenaries is being assembled.A cop goes undercover to infiltrate a deadly prison where a team of mercenaries is being assembled.A cop goes undercover to infiltrate a deadly prison where a team of mercenaries is being assembled.
IMDb RATING
5.7/10
3.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Yen-Ping Chu
  • Writers
    • Li Fu
    • Domonic Muir(english version)
    • Yun Chiao Yeh
  • Stars
    • Jackie Chan
    • Andy Lau
    • Sammo Kam-Bo Hung
Top credits
  • Director
    • Yen-Ping Chu
  • Writers
    • Li Fu
    • Domonic Muir(english version)
    • Yun Chiao Yeh
  • Stars
    • Jackie Chan
    • Andy Lau
    • Sammo Kam-Bo Hung
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 42User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    The Prisoner (aka. Island On Fire)
    Trailer 0:38
    The Prisoner (aka. Island On Fire)

    Photos43

    The Prisoner (1990)
    Jackie Chan and Tony Ka Fai Leung in The Prisoner (1990)
    Jackie Chan in The Prisoner (1990)
    The Prisoner (1990)
    Jackie Chan, Sammo Kam-Bo Hung, Andy Lau, and Tony Ka Fai Leung in The Prisoner (1990)
    The Prisoner (1990)
    The Prisoner (1990)
    Jackie Chan and Tony Ka Fai Leung in The Prisoner (1990)
    The Prisoner (1990)
    The Prisoner (1990)
    Jackie Chan, Sammo Kam-Bo Hung, and Andy Lau in The Prisoner (1990)
    The Prisoner (1990)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jackie Chan
    Jackie Chan
    • Lung…
    Andy Lau
    Andy Lau
    • Lau…
    Sammo Kam-Bo Hung
    Sammo Kam-Bo Hung
    • Fatty Liu Hsi Chia…
    Tony Ka Fai Leung
    Tony Ka Fai Leung
    • Wei Wang…
    Jimmy Wang Yu
    Jimmy Wang Yu
    • Kui
    • (as Yu Wang)
    • …
    Chun-Hsiung Ko
    Chun-Hsiung Ko
    • Prison Chief…
    Tsung-Hua Tou
    Tsung-Hua Tou
    • Chiu
    • (as Tsung-Hua Tuo)
    • …
    Barry Wong
    Barry Wong
    • Inspector Wong
    Chuan-Chen Yeh
    Chuan-Chen Yeh
    • Fong
    Jack Kao
    Jack Kao
    • Ho
    Chung-Kuei Chang
    Chung-You Chang
    Jui-chu Chang
    Kuo-Chu Chang
    Kuo-Chu Chang
    • Miao-sheng…
    Rachel Chang
    Rachel Chang
    • Woman in the rain
    • (as Chang Shui-chu)
    Sha Chao
    Wen Ho Chen
    Yen-Ru Chen
    • Director
      • Yen-Ping Chu
    • Writers
      • Li Fu
      • Domonic Muir(english version) (uncredited)
      • Yun Chiao Yeh
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The main stars of the film, all big name talents in Asia already at the time of filming, were rumored to have appeared in this film because a Hong Kong triad boss forced them to be, at gun point. This rumor has persisted for many years, and has not been addressed directly in public by any of the leads.
    • Crazy credits
      An outtake reel in shown during the end credits.
    • Alternate versions
      Taiwanese video is 35 minutes longer than Hong Kong version and features more character development of the Taiwanese actors and bit players.
    • Connections
      Featured in Cinema of Vengeance (1994)

    User reviews42

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    Certainly watchable, but not a classic
    Island Of Fire aka The Prisoner is a Chinese language prison actioner. I have the American version and usually US companies butcher Chinese movies to make them more marketable for action audiences, taking out important plot points and terrible English overdubbing. This movie is no exception to that, however I did find this reasonably entertaining. Tony Leung Ka Fai( who starred in Prison On Fire, The Lover,etc) is the lead here as an undercover cop that goes to prison. He is joined by Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Andy Lau and Jimmy Wang Yu. This ensemble cast did the movie as a favor and out of respect for Jimmy Wang Yu, who was also produced the film as well. The movie comes across a bit clunky as a poor man's Death Warrant, but with much better fight scenes. The movie rips off seemingly every prison movie ever made and the plot seems to drift off and end with a John Woo style shootout at the end. I'm sure the Tawainese version is better and makes more sense, but for action this is not a bad time passer at all. However, if you consider the combined talents of the cast, it was a wasted opportunity to do something great.
    helpful•0
    0
    • dworldeater
    • Sep 24, 2020

    FAQ1

    • What are the differences between the HongKong Version and the Extended Taiwanese Cut?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • 1990 (Taiwan)
    • Country of origin
      • Taiwan
    • Official site
      • film information
    • Languages
      • Mandarin
      • Cantonese
      • English
      • Tagalog
    • Also known as
      • Jackie Chan Is the Prisoner
    • Filming locations
      • Hong Kong, China
    • Production companies
      • Blaine and Blake Ltd.
      • Spartan Home Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 5 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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    Jackie Chan, Sammo Kam-Bo Hung, Chun-Hsiung Ko, Andy Lau, Tony Ka Fai Leung, Tsung-Hua Tou, and Jimmy Wang Yu in The Prisoner (1990)
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