The Big Heat (1988 film)
The Big Heat (城市特警) is a 1988 Hong Kong action film starring Waise Lee and Joey Wong.
| The Big Heat | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Traditional | 城市特警 |
| Simplified | 城市特警 |
| Mandarin | Chéng Shì Tè Jǐng |
| Cantonese | Sing4 Si2 Dak6 Ging2 |
| Directed by | Johnnie To Andrew Kam |
| Produced by | Tsui Hark |
| Screenplay by | Gordon Chan |
| Starring | Waise Lee Joey Wong |
| Music by | David Wu[1] |
| Cinematography | Wong Wing-hang[1] |
| Edited by | David Wu[1] |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Cinema City |
Release date | 22 September 1988 |
Running time | 96 minutes[1] |
| Country | Hong Kong |
| Language | Cantonese |
| Box office | HK $4.076 million |
Cast
- Waise Lee as Chief Inspector John Wong
- Joey Wong as Ada
- Matthew Wong as Inspector Kwok-Keung Lun
- Philip Kwok as Detective Ah Kam
Production
Johnnie To stated that "Tsui had lots of ideas [for The Big Heat], changing the script all the time, but three days later he would come up with something totally different."[2] To went on to describe that the violence in the film originated from Hark's suggestions, and that it was "a very difficult project"[3] To noted that he was brought in after another director was unable to satisfy Tsui Hark. To also stated that he did not complete the film, but that Tsui Hark completed it with Ching Siu-tung shooting some scenes.[3]
Release
The Big Heat was released in Hong Kong on 22 September 1988.[1] It was described by Lisa Morton as a "minor box office disappointment", grossing HK$4.076 million and being the 94th highest-grossing film in Hong Kong in 1988.[2]
Reception
Johnnie To reflected on the film in the late 1990s, stating that "it's good at places, but it was chaotic".[2]
References
- "The Big Heat". Hong Kong Film Archive. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
Search "城市特警" under "Film Title"
- Morton 2001, p. 159.
- Teo 2007, p. 220.
Sources
- Morton, Lisa (2001). The Cinema of Tsui Hark. McFarland. ISBN 0-7864-4460-6.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- Teo, Stephen (2007). Director in Action: Johnnie To and the Hong Kong Action Film. Hong Kong University Press. ISBN 9622098398.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)