The Big Boss
Seen it?1971 | 99 min | Action
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It's still drawing plenty of interest. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for action fans. If you loved Enter the Dragon or Everything Everywhere All at Once, start here.
- The mood
- Exciting.
- The pace
- Fast-moving, at 1 hr 39 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: expect drug use.
- It's in Chinese, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Made in 1971: an older pace and style.
Cheng is a young Chinese mainlander who moves in with his expatriate cousins to work at an ice factory in Thailand. He does this with a family promise never to get involved in any fights. However, when members of his family begin disappearing after meeting the management of the factory, the resulting mystery and pressures force him to break that vow and take on the villainy of the Big Boss.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsSolid
65% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.1 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a modest audience; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 115K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Enter the Dragon
Friday Night FlickAlso stars Bruce Lee, in another critically acclaimed martial arts action film.
Everything Everywhere All at Once Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed martial arts action film.
Ninja: Shadow of a Tear Sunday Safe BetAnother drug-world action film, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Transporter 2
Weeknight WatchAnother drug-world action film, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Man of Tai Chi Weeknight WatchAnother martial arts action film, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Lo Wei
- Bruce LeeCheng Chiu On
- Maria YiChiao Mei
- James Tien ChunHsiu Chien
- Marilyn BautistaMiss Wuman
- Han Ying-chiehBoss Mi
- Tony Liu Tian-jueBoss Mi's son
- Li KunAh Kun
- Nora MiaoLemonade girl
- Kam ShanAh Shan
- Chan ChueFactory manager