A Better Tomorrow

Ying hung boon sik

This tale of two brothers on the opposite sides of the law marks the emergence of John Woo’s signature action filmmaking style.

  • Director

    John Woo

  • With

    Ti Lung, Leslie Cheung, Chow Yun-fat

  • Hong Kong 1986. 96min

  • Digital 4K (restoration)

  • Certificate

    18

  • Cantonese with English subtitles

Best friends Mark and Ho run a money-counterfeiting operation. Ho’s little brother Kit is a police cadet and completely unaware of Ho’s true line of work until a deal goes fatally awry. This explosive, game-changing film is an intense melodrama that displays the roots of Woo’s signature style: balletic shoot outs, dual-wielding shooters and stunning slow-motion. The proceedings are also heightened by Joseph Koo’s dramatic score.

Contains graphic violence.

Joint ticket available with A Better Tomorrow II on either date (subject to availability). Tickets £22.50, concessions £19.50 (Members pay £2.50 less). Book in person at the box office or by phone on 020 7928 3232.

The screening of A Better Tomorrow on Friday 3 July will be introduced by Dr Lin Feng, University of Leicester.