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
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese城市特警
Simplified Chinese城市特警
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinChéng Shì Tè Jǐng
Yue: Cantonese
JyutpingSing4 Si2 Dak6 Ging2
Directed byJohnnie To
Andrew Kam
Screenplay byGordon Chan
Produced byTsui Hark
StarringWaise Lee
Joey Wong
CinematographyWong Wing-hang[1]
Edited byDavid Wu[1]
Music byDavid Wu[1]
Production
companies
Distributed byCinema City
Release date
  • 22 September 1988 (1988-09-22)
Running time
96 minutes[1]
CountryHong Kong
LanguageCantonese
Box officeHK $4.076 million

Cast

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Production

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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

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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

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Johnnie To reflected on the film in the late 1990s, stating that "it's good at places, but it was chaotic".[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "The Big Heat". Hong Kong Film Archive. Retrieved 3 March 2017. Search "城市特警" under "Film Title"
  2. ^ a b c Morton 2001, p. 159.
  3. ^ a b Teo 2007, p. 220.

Bibliography

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