
Hong Kong 1941
Seen it?1984 | 100 min | Action, War
Why it’s a Monday Morning Maybe
With a box office flop and almost no lasting buzz, this one could be a tough watch. Keep your phone handy.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Aimed squarely at people who believe in big gestures and anyone after some adrenaline. The chemistry carries it.
- The mood
- Intense.
- The pace
- Fast-moving, at 1 hr 40 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in Cantonese, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Not for anyone who finds explosions tiring.
Years later, a woman narrates her personal story of the Japanese takeover of Hong Kong in 1941. She's Nam, young, attractive, daughter of a wealthy rice merchant, and prey to painful, disabling seizures. Her boyhood friend is Coolie Keung, whose family used to have wealth; he's now impoverished, a tough kid, a leader, in love with her. Into the mix steps Fay, cool and resourceful, an actor from the north, intent on getting to Gold Mountain in the US or Australia. They form a threesome, but the day they are to leave Hong Kong, the invasion stops them. Fay must rescue Keung from collaborators, Nam falls in love with Fay, and danger awaits their next attempt to escape.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsNot counted
Not enough reviews on record yet
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsBelow par
2 wins and 7 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
- Box office & staying powerWeak
$7 million worldwide
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
Not enough engagement data yet
Trailer
More like this
The Deer HunterFriday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed war story.
Missing in Action 2: The BeginningWeeknight WatchAnother action film, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
The CorruptorWeeknight WatchAlso stars Chow Yun-Fat, in another action film, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Born on the Fourth of JulySaturday SpecialAnother war story, and a Saturday Special.
Boyka: Undisputed IVSunday Safe BetAnother action film, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Leong Po-Chih
- Chow Yun-FatYip Kim-Fay
- Alex Man Chi-LeungWong Hak-Keung
- Cecilia Yip TungHa Yuk-Nam
- Ku FengShiu
- Shih KienHa Chung-Sang
- Paul Chun PuiSergeant Wing
- Wu MaChairman Liu
- Stuart Yung Sai-kitGeneral Kanezawa
- Angela Yu ChienFei's Aunt
- Hon Yee-sangFei's Uncle