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Amazon.co.uk Review
The John Woo gangster classic that started it all, a romantic, violent, swirlingly stylish melodrama about duelling brothers--with a mesmerizing lead performance by Hong Kong's favourite actor, Chow Yun-Fat. In repose, Chow's sleepy magnetism recalls the glory days of Robert Mitchum, Steve McQueen, and Takakura Ken; when he's stepping high, Chow has a unique, ebullient star presence, a man who embraces life so unselfconsciously that he becomes vulnerable to all kinds of suffering and heartache (he endures masochistic megadoses of violence here). The sequence in which Chow's Mark avenges his betrayed best friend---by blasting his way into, and then out of, a Chinese restaurant, twin .45s blazing---is a swashbuckling standout. Woo's film technique may have been more polished in later efforts, but A Better Tomorrow has a direct emotional power that is still unique. Kung fu star of the 1970s, Ti Lung is also terrific here as the 40ish established mobster, relied upon by all, who allows conflicting loyalties toward Mark and toward his younger brother, now a cop, to undermine the stability of his position. --David Chute, Amazon.com
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Many before me have sung the praises of this movie and I completely agree with every word. No movie fans collection is complete without this classic of th HK action genre.
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.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
So here we have (at last) a good looking transfer of this classic movie, with good subs, some good extras and at an affordable price.
This film has been mistreated on DVD for years, and only a very expensive OOP Asian release of all 3 "ABT" films gave it a worthy release.
So here we had a God send! An easy to get, affordable release...AND THEY BLEW IT!!!!!
For some reason known only to them they gave this otherwise fine release a totally messed up audio track that replaces most of the original well known music with stolen cues from the likes of "Speed" and....wait for it..."Forest Gump"!!!
So any fan of the movie will be sorely grieved to see so many scenes they know and love ruined by alien music gremlins!
I HATE them for messing up this essential release.
This film has been mistreated on DVD for years, and only a very expensive OOP Asian release of all 3 "ABT" films gave it a worthy release.
So here we had a God send! An easy to get, affordable release...AND THEY BLEW IT!!!!!
For some reason known only to them they gave this otherwise fine release a totally messed up audio track that replaces most of the original well known music with stolen cues from the likes of "Speed" and....wait for it..."Forest Gump"!!!
So any fan of the movie will be sorely grieved to see so many scenes they know and love ruined by alien music gremlins!
I HATE them for messing up this essential release.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
'A Better Tomorrow' is where it all started for John Woo's now-signature style of filmmaking. Without this film, there would never have been 'The Killer', 'Hard Boiled' and who knows what else. Bringing the classic themes of brotherhood, redemption and loyalty to the modern day setting of Hong Kong, John Woo has made a film that will appeal to both fans of quality drama and action enthusiasts.
Ti Lung stars as a criminal named Ho, who along with his best friend Mark (Chow Yun Fat) are well-respected and live in luxury. Ho's younger brother Kit is a police officer in training who is unaware of his brother's illegal lifestyle. But when Ho is betrayed and sent to prison, Kit learns the truth and when their father is killed by Ho's associates, Kit disowns his brother.
Upon his release, things have changed for Ho and his best friend is now a down-trodden cripple while Kit is a successful detective who still wants nothing to do with Ho. Very soon, Ho is drawn back into the criminal life and the loyalties of all three men are about to be pushed to the absolute limit.
The dynamic relationship between the three lead characters is utterly believable and is what makes the film work. By the end of the film, you are so anxious to see if the brothers can be reunited and you'll even shed a tear or two. But let's not forget that this is a John Woo film - the action sequences are entertaining but compared to his later films, they are quite static. The trademark dual-pistols makes its first appearance and Chow Yun Fat cements his long-standing relationship with Woo.
My one criticism of this disc, however, is the soundtrack. The audience has been short-changed, by having the original score replaced with modern library footage. At certain times, you'll hear the music from films like 'Speed' and 'Forrest Gump', which have pretty distinctive tunes! Admitedly, the use of those scores do actually fit the drama very well and certainly don't ruin the film - but they still stand out and it's distracting. According to Bey Logan (who does the excellent commentary for this disc), you can actually send off to the manufacturers to have the original soundtrack re-inserted - whether this applies today, I'm not sure.
If you're unsure about 'A Better Tomorrow' and haven't seen it before, your best bet is to approach it as a thoughtful and engrossing drama WITH action rather than a straight-up action thriller (which it is sometimes considered).
Ti Lung stars as a criminal named Ho, who along with his best friend Mark (Chow Yun Fat) are well-respected and live in luxury. Ho's younger brother Kit is a police officer in training who is unaware of his brother's illegal lifestyle. But when Ho is betrayed and sent to prison, Kit learns the truth and when their father is killed by Ho's associates, Kit disowns his brother.
Upon his release, things have changed for Ho and his best friend is now a down-trodden cripple while Kit is a successful detective who still wants nothing to do with Ho. Very soon, Ho is drawn back into the criminal life and the loyalties of all three men are about to be pushed to the absolute limit.
The dynamic relationship between the three lead characters is utterly believable and is what makes the film work. By the end of the film, you are so anxious to see if the brothers can be reunited and you'll even shed a tear or two. But let's not forget that this is a John Woo film - the action sequences are entertaining but compared to his later films, they are quite static. The trademark dual-pistols makes its first appearance and Chow Yun Fat cements his long-standing relationship with Woo.
My one criticism of this disc, however, is the soundtrack. The audience has been short-changed, by having the original score replaced with modern library footage. At certain times, you'll hear the music from films like 'Speed' and 'Forrest Gump', which have pretty distinctive tunes! Admitedly, the use of those scores do actually fit the drama very well and certainly don't ruin the film - but they still stand out and it's distracting. According to Bey Logan (who does the excellent commentary for this disc), you can actually send off to the manufacturers to have the original soundtrack re-inserted - whether this applies today, I'm not sure.
If you're unsure about 'A Better Tomorrow' and haven't seen it before, your best bet is to approach it as a thoughtful and engrossing drama WITH action rather than a straight-up action thriller (which it is sometimes considered).
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
ignore the old reviews
the complaints regarding bad transfer, soundtrack etc are not valid for this current release. the picture is good and i don't think the sound track is changed. Read more
Published 3 months ago by N. Chandran
classic
Looking at this movie is like looking at a Gauguin or Degas painting, you may think it looks like you could paint it yourself, but in its time this was something new and different,... Read more
Published on 2 Dec 2008 by Film Fan
Ultimate??????
An OK Woo heroic bloodshed movie from the mid 80s. It's very dated though. However, how on earth can the DVD be called 'Ultimate'. Read more
Published on 26 Oct 2008 by Mr. G. Sturdy
Action pedigree
This is a good action film without reaching the heights of some later Woo features. A epic tale of crime vs law with a brother on either side of the divide. Read more
Published on 26 Jan 2008 by J. C. Sherwood
Bloodshed and loyalty-it doesn't come any better
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... Read more
Published on 27 Feb 2002 by Philip Drake
Absoloutly superb
My first review wasnt printed, cos was too long, i have far too many good things about this film to say! Read more
Published on 4 Aug 2001 by Mr. M. J. A. Record
A Hong Kong Classic
This film is made by the performance of Chow Yun Fat who as Mark gives a stylish yet deep performance as a once cocky gangster left semi crippled after avenging his friend. Read more
Published on 29 July 2001
If only hollywood coud do this...
This is a brilliant film, as are most John Woo films. In respect to the first review, 'We are not right' means they are hurt (this is just arfter asking Lung if he is alright) and... Read more
Published on 21 Nov 2000
only for hardcore fans
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.. Read more
Published on 3 Aug 2000
Excellent Film on a pitiful DVD
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. Read more
Published on 28 May 2000
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