When an undercover cop is killed, Chow (Chow Yun-Fat) is recruited by Inspector Lau (Sun Yueh) to take his place trying to infiltrate a gang of thieves. But Chow had previously done undercover work and had developed an emotional bond with the men he then later had to betray--and he is afraid it could happen again. The loyalty of the younger cop to the older man will be tested against the bonds he must form with the criminals in order to be trusted by them. This theme of the similarities between cops and criminals is a staple of the heroic bloodshed branch of Hong Kong cinema. Chow befriends Fu (Danny Lee) by posing as a man who can supply the guns needed for a jewelry heist. Director Ringo Lam stages his action and street scenes with a high degree of realism. The characters' movements are erratic and the violence is brutal and unstylized, with everything unfolding in believable chaos. Released at the same time as A BETTER TOMORROW, it made Chow Yun-Fat a Hong Kong star. This Hong Kong classic formed the basis for Quentin Tarantino's later RESERVOIR DOGS.

A morally conflicted plainclothes cop infiltrates a syndicate of jewel thieves in what he hopes will be his last assignment before settling down in marriage. Trouble strikes when the other thieves smell a rat and the heist goes awry. Meanwhile, the cop struggles with his sense of honor and the friendship he has formed with one of the thieves.

Annotation by Owen McKevitt.

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Letterbox - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - Chinese/ Cantonese
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Access

Distributor Notes: City On Fire

Internationally renowned superstar Chow Yun-Fat (CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON; THE REPLACEMENT KILLERS) delivers an electrifying performance in this hard-hitting big-screen thrill ride! An undercover cop sent to infiltrate a notorious crime ring, Ko Chow (Chow Yun-Fat) must replace a fellow officer who was killed in a violent confrontation. But, as he earns the trust of the syndicate, he develops a tight friendship with one of the thieves. Then, when a planned heist turns into a bloody shoot-out with police, suspicions arise about who the informant could be. As friendship and loyalty clash with duty and honor, you'll be riveted by the explosive power of this intensely entertaining motion picutre!

Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment

Yun-Fat Chow: Hong Kong actor, THE KILLER/HARD BOILED
Danny Lee: Hong Kong Star, Producer, Director, began in early '70s
Carrie Ng: 
Roy Cheung: HK Category 3 actor
Lau Kong: 
Wu Ma: Hong Kong Actor, GENERATION PENDRAGON, BROKEN CHINA

Ringo Lam: Hong Kong Director, CITY ON FIRE (1987)

Karl Mak: Hong Kong Actor/ Director/ Producer
Ringo Lam: Hong Kong Director, CITY ON FIRE (1987)

Tommy Sham: Hong Kong Screenwriter/ CITY ON FIRE (1987)

"Lam draws fine performances from his cast, and certainly knows how to shoot an action sequence."