A Better Tomorrow [1986]

What I want to talk about is the appaling transfer on this DVD. The shortcomings of the HK movie industry when it comes to preserving film stock is well known but I was dissappointed to find that little or no restoration attempt had been made by the producers of this DVD.

The major problem is that the image is a non anamorphic transfer with burnt in subtitles that are positioned so that they get partially cut off if you're viewing with a widescreen TV.

If you have a multi-region player, I'd advise getting the Anchor Bay release from America. It's far superior.


Bloodshed and loyalty-it doesn't come any better   February 27, 2002
Philip Drake
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Painted in a poetry of crimson blood-A Better Tomorrow is simply a brilliant film with an intense story that swims through the rocky waters of one mans attempt to get away from his Triad ties and come to terms with his brother whom blames him for the death of their father.
Ti Lung plays the lead character Ho and Chow Yun Fat, in a trade-mark role as Mark that won him to audiences from around the world, plays his loyal friend who wants to take back everything from the criminal world and once again be atop of every one. Leslie Cheung gives an emotion performance as Ho's brother-Kit, whom blames him for the death of their father. Kit, being a Police Officer, finds that he's after Ho for duty and hate alone. Another notable performance would be the sly and devious Waise Lee who plays the underling Shing who plots against Ho and manages to rise himself all the way to the top after Ho is sent to prision and Mark is crippeled in one leg. He is the villian and the one that Ho, Mark, and Kit must all wage their vengence against in the climatic finialy.
John Woo directs with grace and presence in this super-charged film of honour; loyalty; brotherhood; and revenge. He even makes a cameo appeance as the Taiwanese Detective determined that Ho is not sincere about his want to leave the criminal world.

Gangster and Triad films do not come any better than this.


Excellent Film on a pitiful DVD   May 28, 2000
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

A Better Tomorrow is a classic John Woo film, showcasing Chow Yun-Fat. However the DVD itself is quite pathetic. The picture and sound quality is poor, but it is an old film.

It seems to have suffered the region 2 disease and lacks any decent extras. The region 1 release has additional footage, behind-the-scenes footage and is not pathetically dubbed.

It's just not fair!


Absoloutly superb   August 5, 2001
Mr. M. J. A. Record
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

My first review wasnt printed, cos was too long, i have far too many good things about this film to say! In brief then, Chow Yun-Fat was launched into super stardom by his role of Mark, and it is easy to see why. Leslie Chueng is excellent at playing the battle of emotions present in Kit when dealing with his brother Seung Che Ho (Ti Lung). All the main actors are superb. John Woo is at his finest here but do not expect never ending explosive action. This is a film that relies on the interaction between Mark, Kit and Ho. There are very satisfying gun fights, but the plot is so excellent you dont always notice their absense. Finally, the film is dubbed to a very high standard, you almost dont notice, and the dubbers are also very good voice actors. This is my favourite film, and you simply must own it! Enjoy.


only for hardcore fans   August 3, 2000
0 out of 6 found this review helpful

sure, this movie was the start of john woo and chow yun fat, but it doesn't change the fact that is pretty much sucks.. it really slow and the action isn't choreographed like Hard Boiled or The Killer, etc..