The Hong Kong Filmography, 19771997: A Complete Reference to 1,100 Films Produced by British Hong Kong Studios [Hardcover]

John Charles (Author), Tim Lucas (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2000

Thanks to the recent successes of directors and actors like John Woo, Jackie Chan, and Chow Yun-fat, the cinema of Hong Kong is increasingly popular worldwide, and there is much more to this diverse film culture than most Western audiences realize. Beyond martial arts and comedy, Hong Kong films are a celebration of the grand diversity and pageantry of movie-making-covering action, comedy, horror, eroticism, mythology, historical drama, modern romances, and experimental films. Information on 1,100 films produced in British Hong Kong from 1977 to 1997 is included here.
The films are arranged alphabetically, and each entry includes complete production information, a rating, a synopsis, and an analysis. The introductory matter provides background information and explains the inclusion criteria for the book. There is a foreword by Tim Lucas. An index allows for easy reference, and a bibliography and video resource guide are also included. This comprehensive guide is appropriate both for those well-versed in this amazing and diverse national cinema, and those newly drawn to its many charms.

Editorial Reviews

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Review

Canadian writer John Charles is a regular contributor to Video Watchdog magazine. He lives in Guelph, Ontario. --arba

"Outstanding…a meticulous index…will surpass all other efforts" --Film Quarterly

"If you have a yen to explore Hong Kong cinema, this should be your starting place" --Film Review --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 397 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786408421
• ISBN-13: 978-0786408429
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,535,334 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent reference, August 27, 2000

By 

James Wilson (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Hong Kong Filmography, 19771997: A Complete Reference to 1,100 Films Produced by British Hong Kong Studios (Hardcover)

This new book strikes a very nice balance between thefan-oriented publications and the more analysis-heavy (sometimes downright pretentious) coverage afforded to HK movies by recent American books. The reviews and plot synopsis are well-written, informative, and often make a point of providing extra information about how the film started new trends, was a remake, etc. There are cast/character and crew listings, a detailed index, and information about video availability in various formats. Like most McFarland books, this is not cheap but it's worth the price and I have already learned a lot about various actors and films in the week since I got it in. Highly recommended!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally! The Leonard Maltin Film Guide of Hong Kong Cinema!, October 14, 2000

By 

Sterling F. (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Hong Kong Filmography, 19771997: A Complete Reference to 1,100 Films Produced by British Hong Kong Studios (Hardcover)

This is the reference that I know I was waiting to find, and am very glad it is as definitive and well written as it is. Covering a huge amount (over 1,100) movies and providing invaluable information about each, it doesn't get much better than this book if you're a fan of Hong Kong film genre. Each movie listed is packed full with ratings, incredibly complete cast (with character names) and crew listings, video, DVD and VCD info, as well as a very well written and concise review covering not just the film, but interesting references and behind-the-scenes information. A little expensive, but if you're a fan of this genre, it's a must buy. You won't be disappointed!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Hong Kong Filmography, 1977 - 1997, September 23, 2000

By 

Jeff S (PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Hong Kong Filmography, 19771997: A Complete Reference to 1,100 Films Produced by British Hong Kong Studios (Hardcover)

At last there is a comprehensive encyclopedia available for movie buffs now that Hong Kong cinema has saturated western pop culture. The Hong Kong Filmography contains 1,102 reviews spaced three small print columes over the course of 350 plus pages and arranged by their most popular English titles. The anatomy of a typical review crams in plenty of credit information (including Cantonese/Mandarin and English title akas; crew personnel) and even identifies the principal cast by who they portray. The distraction of photographs is not missed because the detail of the author's credits will enable you to pinpoint even minor cast members across the numbers of films they appeared in. Thus, you can easily study a significant part of the career of even a criminally underappreciated talent like the charming Fennie Yuen Kit-ying, who shared the limelight with better known HK cinema icons such as Chow Yun-fat, Jet Li, Michelle Yeoh and Sammo Hung.Additionally, each entry includes a short but detailed plot summary (often with observations on the significance of when and where a movie was set), braced with pointed criticism of the production and enough peculiar facts about its story to swiftly familarize novice viewers with the characteristics of cinema from this region while enthralling even veteran fans. For instance, I learned that the 1990 woman warrior film, She Shoots Straight, starring Martial Law actor Sammo Hung Kam-po's future wife Joyce Godenzi, is a contemporary retelling of a Sung Dynasty story that would appeal to fans of period drama and knowing that pedigree casts irony on what would have otherwise been a typical thriller. Such informative detail will make viewing these movies a more enjoyable experience. The author viewed each movie in the context of the culture it was made in as well as its place in world cinema, observing the exchange of influences between the HK film industry and the rest of the world. The author's Video Watchdog journalism experience comes in handy when he briefly touches upon the presentation of these titles on video, vcd, laser and dvd (new fans of Jackie Chan will appreciate John's observations on the "Americanizing" of Chan's HK films for consumption by western viewers). Finally, The Hong Kong Filmography offers up to date listings of video resources, a glossary of movie terms relevant to the industry and Chinese culture, a short bibliography and a detailed index of titles and personnel.I do recommend arming yourself with this volume the next time you require a HK cinema fix.