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A Better Tomorrow (1986)

Lung Ti (Actor), Leslie Cheung (Actor), John Woo (Director) | Rated: R | Format: DVD
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (66 customer reviews) |

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Product Details

  • Actors: Lung Ti, Leslie Cheung, Yun-Fat Chow, Emily Chu, Waise Lee
  • Directors: John Woo
  • Writers: John Woo, Hing-Ka Chan, Suk-Wah Leung
  • Format: Color, DVD, Letterboxed, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
  • Language: Cantonese (Dolby Digital 5.1), Mandarin Chinese (Dolby Digital 5.1)
  • Subtitles: English, Japanese, Georgian, Thai
  • Region: All Regions
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Rated: R (Restricted)
  • Studio: Tai Seng
  • DVD Release Date: February 22, 2000
  • Run Time: 95 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (66 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: 6305020817
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #182,106 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

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  • Learn more about "A Better Tomorrow" on IMDb

Special Features

  • Additional footage
  • Behind-the-scenes footage

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The John Woo gangster classic that started it all, a romantic, violent, swirlingly stylish melodrama about dueling brothers--with a mesmerizing lead performance by Hong Kong's favorite actor, Chow Yun-Fat. In repose, Chow's sleepy magnetism recalls the glory days of Robert Mitchum, Steve McQueen, and Takakura Ken; when he's stepping high, Chow has a unique, ebullient star presence, a man who embraces life so unselfconsciously that he becomes vulnerable to all kinds of suffering and heartache (he endures masochistic megadoses of violence here). The sequence in which Chow's Mark avenges his betrayed best friend---by blasting his way into, and then out of, a Chinese restaurant, twin .45s blazing---is a swashbuckling standout. Woo's film technique may have been more polished in later efforts, but Tomorrow has a direct emotional power that is still unique. Kung fu star of the 1970s, Ti Lung is also terrific here as the 40ish established mobster, relied upon by all, who allows conflicting loyalties toward Mark and toward his younger brother, now a cop, to undermine the stability of his position. --David Chute

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
48 of 50 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Okay... so if you're only interested in the movie, of course this is quintessential John Woo melodrama-action. Chow Yun Fat is the master of matches mouth moving and handgun hysterics. But the DVD is badly flawed. The subtitles are too big as the other review said, but they're also late (show up after the dialogue) and inaccurate (its text from the original) *I'm Chinese so I know--I just turn it off*. In addition, the description is incorrect--there's no "additional footage" or "behind the scenes stuff." Only the lightest production notes on the cast and crew--stuff you could get from IMDB. Also the transfer is a bit faded and lacks real richness that DVD is suppose to provide. In addition, the annoying startup promo (which lasts over 3 minutes) before the actual menu starts can't be skipped. I had rated this as 3 stars, but changed it to 2. I still love the movie, but feel a little jipped--especially since I bought the entire trilogy. Where's Criterion when you need them?
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25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
This movie is just awesome. It's not the action packed thriller you'd normally expect from John Woo, but it's one of my all time favorite movies. Chow Yun-Fat offers yet another brilliant performance in this drama about an aging gangster (Ti Lung) torn between his best friend (Chow Yun-Fat) and his brother (Leslie Cheung).

What keeps this product from a five star rating is NOT the film itself. The subtitles are so horrible, I can't understand how any professional film distributor could release this is as a finished product. Spelling mistakes and ridiculously poor grammar litter this otherwise great film. Who did they hire to translate this? Whoever it was obviously had only known the English language for approximately 3 weeks. In addition, the subtitles often appear AFTER the dialogue is spoken- which can ruin the effect of a couple of key scenes (if you've seen it, you'll know what I mean).

Besides the subtitles, the DVD itself is nothing special. In fact, its not even average features wise. It has basic chapter selection, an ad for other film's the "Media Asia Group" offers, and the trailer for the film. That's it. The "About The Film" section isn't even worth mentioning, it's just extremely brief information on those involved with the film. You would get much better information (and in more detail) from the IMDB (www.imdb.com) or any fan site.

The subtitles alone were so bad that I was tempted to return this, but since there is no other version available that I am aware of, I guess there isn't much choice. As a big fan of both Chow Yun-Fat and John Woo, this product was very disappointing. It's a shame- this movie deserves much better.

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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
A wonderful movie overall, but the subtitles are terrible and distract from enjoyment of the film.

The letters are too big, and often only four or five words are fitted per line, so an additional line of subtitles is necessary, taking up the bottom 25 to 30% of the screen. Can't see the movie for the words! The same holds true for the sequels.

I'd buy another copy if only they'd fix this aweful production flaw.

DON'T BUY IT! Wait for an improved edition! Too high a cost for such a faulty product.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Love it
I love this movie. I got this movie really fast and there were no scratch marks on it from being used. I think John Woe should remake this film, it can only make it better.
Published on June 13, 2009 by Christine Moreno
The most influential Hong kong ganster film, and an Action-cinema...
The best introduction i can think of for this 1986 all-time classic action thriller that started the true Hong Kong ganster genre, and its influence over the movie industry, is... Read more
Published on March 10, 2008 by TANTRUM!!!!
Woo's International Calling Card
This is the Hong Kong action/crime film that kick started the flagging careers of director John Woo and actor Chow Yun Fat. Read more
Published on March 30, 2007 by Shaun Anderson
My favorite of John Woo
I still have to see Bullet In the Head but this movie is just flat out awesome. Ti Lung starts out as a guy who prints fake money. Read more
Published on October 17, 2006 by morgoth
"It's easy to become a ganster, but it's hard to get out..."
"A Better Tomorrow" is John Woo's first tense, bloody gangster epic, and while it wasn't his best it certainly shows the potential that would be fully realized later. Read more
Published on August 22, 2004 by Wheelchair Assassin
One of John Woo's best!!!
This classic Hong Kong flick is one of John Woo's best films!!! 2 sequels followed!!! This is the first and the best of the series!!! The action is intence!!! Read more
Published on December 29, 2003 by Jason P. Pumphrey
Don't Make this your first John Woo flick.
This is my second favorite John Woo movie with great touches of action and drama, When I first saw this film (about 5 years ago) I wasn't used to seeing this much violence on... Read more
Published on October 29, 2003 by dxm
3.9 out of 5
Here it is, folks: John Woo's A BETTER TOMORROW, the classic action/drama that started it all. The film stars Ti Lung and Leslie Cheung as two brothers: one a successful... Read more
Published on September 13, 2003 by Tom Benton
A Classic
One word sums It up "CLASSIC". Great acting form the cast. Great story along with action. The movie is very sad and the one scene near the end that shock me. Read more
Published on May 5, 2003 by Leb-Killa
A Classic
One word sums It up "CLASSIC". Great acting form the cast. Great story along with action. The movie is very sad and the one scene near the end that shock me. Read more
Published on May 5, 2003 by Leb-Killa
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