Brothers, Guns, & Doves - Prison on Fire (1987)

Director: Ringo Lam

Cast: Tony Leung Ka-Fai, Chow Yun Fat, Roy Cheung, Ka-Kui Ho, Shing Fui-on

Country: Hong Kong

Rating: R

Run Time: 101 min

Brothers, Guns, & Doves is a series dedicated to discussing Heroic Bloodshed films produced inside or outside of Hong Kong. Films of this nature typically feature highly stylized gun play, emotional stories about honor and brotherhood, and, if directed by John Woo, lots of slow motion doves.

Prison on Fire is one of two films with the word "fire" in the title directed by Ringo Lam and released in 1987 (the other being City on Fire, which also stars Chow Yun Fat). The film was followed up by another Lam directed "fire" film, School on Fire, in 1988, as well as a direct sequel, Prison on Fire II, in 1991. Therefore, Prison on Fire is apart of both a loose stylistic trilogy of films as well as its own series of films. Man, it's tough keeping track of Hong Kong films sometimes.

Lam's loose "Fire" trilogy consists of three action dramas that are connected by their emotional drama, gritty action, and inclusion of actor Roy Cheung. All three films portray life in Hong Kong, as seen through the eyes of Lam. City on Fire focuses on the lives of cops and criminals, Prison on Fire focuses on the lives of prisoners and guards, and School on Fire focuses on the lives of students and triads. Many action fans will most likely never discover Prison or School simply because City on Fire is the most well known of the trilogy because of its connection to Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs. Therefore, I implore all action fans to seek out the entire trilogy in order to fully appreciate Lam's artistic vision and cinematic goal.

Prison on Fire, the second in the "Fire" trilogy and the first of the Prison on Fire films, is a solid prison drama. In retrospect, the film shares many similarities with The Shawshank Redemption from 1994. Both films feature a good natured protagonist who is imprisoned for the wrong reasons, a veteran prisoner who befriends said protagonist, and corrupt guards who take advantage of the prisoners' situation. There are also scenes of joy and humanity amidst prison life as well as despair and conflict. Stephen King's Rita Hayworth and The Shawshank Redemption does pre-date Prison on Fire, 1982 to be exact. Regardless, this filmic depiction of life in the big house is awfully similar to Frank Darabont's master class film, coincident or not.

Tony Leung learns real quick how hard prison life is.

Lo Ka Yiu (Tony Leung Ka-Fai) is a beloved son, boyfriend, and grocery store clerk in resident Hong Kong. When several hooligans steal from his father's store, Yiu fights back and accidentally knocks one of the thieves into traffic and to his death. Yiu is sentenced to three years for manslaughter and finds his life turned inside out as various prisoners attack him and his girlfriend threatens to move away for school reasons. In steps 41671 (Chow Yun Fat), a veteran prisoner and surrogate Morgan Freeman for the film. 41671 doesn't narrate the film, but he does provide Yiu with friendship and knowledge amidst prison life. The two quickly bond and fight back against corrupt guards and cruel prisoners together. Yiu reaches his limits when the prisoners embark on a hunger strike that places all of their lives in danger.

Prison on Fire is a very basic film that portrays simple themes of friendship and self sacrifice amidst prison life. The film has no political agenda and takes no shots at the prisoners or the corrupt guards. It's simply a story of prison life in an extremely rough prison, made all the rougher due to the vile guards and despicable inmates. Not every film has to be particularly deep and meaningful, and Prison on Fire isn't. It's simplistic, gritty drama, ripped from reality and strewn across the screen.

The first two acts of the film make for an average and bleak prison affair. The film moves through the motions of a prison film, all while injecting copious amounts of humor courtesy of Chow Yun Fat (more on him later). However, Prison on Fire turns into a stellar prison film when it enters its final act. While the first two acts of the film focus on Yiu's struggle with villainous inmates, the third act hones all of its tension on an extremely intense hunger strike that the prisoners embark on in order to lower the prices on cigarettes and food. This final act of the film is incredibly unpredictable and particularly disturbing as well. Yiu and 41671 partake in an extremely brutal and painful prison brawl to the death that showcases Chow at his most insane. Therefore, even though the first two acts are your by the numbers prison film, Prison on Fire makes up for it with an unforgettable final act.

Chow and Leung leap to safety in one of the film's hardest hitting moments.

Tony Leung (A Better Tomorrow III, Election), well known as 'Big Tony' in Hong Kong, gives a solid performance as the film's protagonist. Yiu is a relatable character because he's a hard working every man who simply wants to love his girlfriend and do the right thing. Unfortunately, doing the right thing gets him in trouble and plunges him into the hell hole that is prison. Yiu's limits and wits are tested as various prisoners accuse him for crimes he didn't commit and attempt to murder him as well. If you want to see some intense acting, than check out the scene where Yiu defends himself against a group of prisoners with a broken shard of glass. Leung exudes sheer insanity and terror with a chunk of glass in his hand and blood all over his body. All in all, Leung does fine work and earns his freedom by the film's end.

As with most films featuring Chow Yun Fat (Hard Boiled, The Killer), he practically steals the show even though he's not the lead character here. Chow plays the same kind of character he plays in most of his films: a happy go-lucky guy who jokes around most of the time but turns intense when serious situations arise. There's a ridiculous scene where Chow takes a dump in a bathroom accompanied by fart noises. When Yiu leaves the room, Chow declares, "Remember, there's always...a better tomorrow! *fart noise*" For those who don't know, A Better Tomorrow was Chow's breakout film the year before Prison on Fire. Talk about a ridiculous reference, and all while on the toilet too. Prison on Fire also features two solid villains, Ka-Kui Ho as the cruel inmate Micky and Roy Cheung as the corrupt Officer Scarface Hung. Both repeatedly pester our two lead prisoners throughout the film and eventually get their comeuppance at the hands of an insane Chow Yun Fat. Seriously, you don't know how intense and crazy Chow can get until you see him in the film's final prison brawl. 

Officer "Scarface" Hung is the Clancy Brown of the picture.

Even though Prison on Fire is mainly a drama, the film features enough prison brawls to classify it as an action film. There are two short but sweet brawls that take place within the first two acts of the film: one in the prison yard and the other inside of a wash room. The physical bout in the wash room is especially intense because it drives Yiu over the edge and towards insanity. The fight scene also features an insane stunt where Chow and Leung leap off of a ledge and slam onto the top of a glass table, only for it to shatter and break underneath them. However, the film's final bout inside of the main hall of bunk beds is the highlight of the film. Chow dishes out revenge on Micky and Scarface after taking their crap for an entire movie. This brutal fight also features an amazing stunt where Chow runs on top of a series of bunk beds and jump kicks Officer Scarface into a wall. It's immensely satisfying and worth the price of admission alone. Action fans will also want to check out the film because of how tightly connected it is to the heroic bloodshed genre, especially because of its lead actors and director Ringo Lam. 

The heroic bloodshed genre is a stylistic sub-genre of Hong Kong action films that feature themes of brotherhood, loyalty, and self sacrifice. These type of films also feature lots of stylized violence and double fisted gun play. Heroic Bloodshed 101 can be found below...

Major films in genre: the A Better Tomorrow trilogy, The Killer, Once a Thief, Bullet in the Head, Hard Boiled, Full Contact, City on Fire, the Rich and Famous saga, the Long Arm of the Law films, and the God of Gamblers films (contemporary examples include American films The Corruptor and The Replacement Killers, as well as Hong Kong films Exiled and Vengeance)

Major filmmakers: John Woo, Ringo Lam, Tsui Hark, and Johnnie To

Major stars: Chow Yun Fat, both Tony Leungs, Anthony Wong, Simon Yam, and Andy Lau

Unfortunately, Prison on Fire takes place within a prison. Therefore, the film is stripped of the gun play and settings that make up most heroic bloodshed films. However, the film still features all of the signature themes of said genre in order to classify it as one. The film also features three major players of the heroic bloodshed genre: director Ringo Lam, star Chow Yun Fat, and star Tony Leung. The film is also extremely bloody and emotionally over the top, especially during its unforgettable finale. Therefore, heroic bloodshed fans will find themselves right at home with Lam's tale of life in the big house, especially whenever Chow and Leung bond or a prison fight breaks out.

This is what prison does to you.

Ringo Lam is a simple filmmaker who makes straight forward films with both satisfying action and engaging drama. His films are never dull and typically over just when they start to run their course. Prison on Fire is exactly that: a rarely dull and simplistic action/drama that ends just when it starts to loose steam. The direction is on point and every performer shines through in an engaging genre film that is about as effective as the umpteenth prison film can be. The film is nowhere near as memorable as Lam's superior efforts (City on Fire, Full Contact) but infinitely more satisfying than his horrendous collaborations with Jean Claude Van Damme (Maximum Risk, Replicant, In Hell). All in all, Prison on Fire is recommended viewing for Hong Kong action fans like myself who have already made their way through all of the classics and are desperately in need of something good from the late 80s/early 90s that they may have missed.

Rating: 7/10 - A simplistic and brutal prison film that makes you thankful for your own living situation.

Brothers, Guns, and Doves - City on Fire (1987)

Director: Ringo Lam

Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Danny Lee, Sun Yueh, Carrie Ng, Roy Cheung

Country: Hong Kong

Rating: R

Run Time: 105 minutes

Chow Yun Fat exploded onto the Hong Kong filmmaking scene with his breakout performance in A Better Tomorrow in 1986. While the film was not the very first "heroic bloodshed" film, it set the standards for how all future heroic bloodshed films would be made and popularized star Chow Yun Fat and director John Woo. While Chow Yun Fat's performance in A Better Tomorrow is an incredibly dramatic and action centric role, his performance in 1987's City on Fire is arguably even better and one of his finest roles in all of his career.

City on Fire is a fantastic heroic bloodshed film from master filmmaker Ringo Lam. While most action films from Hong Kong are heavy on action, City on Fire has only a measly two action scenes. Therefore, stars Chow Yun Fat and Danny Lee have to carry the film with their acting and not just their action scenes. The film is a tense and powerful action film that covers the themes of honor, friendship, and undercover cops. Even though the film is lacking in excessive violence and gunfire, the film's incredible tension, memorable soundtrack, and devotion from star Chow Yun Fat make it one of the best heroic bloodshed films to ever come out of Hong Kong.

Now that's what I call a beautiful title card.

The film opens with an undercover cop calling the police station to alert them to some crucial information regarding a potential jewel heist. Unfortunately, a fellow gangster overhears the cop and stabs him to death. Saddened by the loss of one of his men and his lead in the jewel heist, Inspector Lau (Sun Yueh) calls up another one of his other undercover cops. That other cop is Ko Chow (Chow Yun Fat). Lau asks Ko Chow to look into the gang and integrate himself into the group until they make their move on a jewelry store. What follows is an hour and forty five minutes of Ko Chow befriending the thieves, running from other cops who don't know that he is undercover, and struggling with his eventual betrayal of his newfound friend Fu (Danny Lee).

City on Fire is as "heroic" as a heroic bloodshed film gets. For those not in the know, a heroic bloodshed film is a drama or an action film primarily made in Hong Kong featuring lots of double handed gun play, a massive body count, highly stylized action, cops and robbers, and themes of honor and friendship. While not packed to the brim with countless corpses and excessive gun play, City on Fire meets everything on this check list. 

The themes of honor and friendship are more prevalent and powerful than most other heroic bloodshed films because City on Fire is primarily character driven. While the two or three action scenes in the film are solid displays of gun fire, they are made better by the characters and drama that inhabit them, not just the squibs and blanks. City on Fire is heavily reminiscent of other Hong Kong efforts such as Man Wanted (1995), The Infernal Affairs Trilogy (2000's), Drug War (2013), and even American productions like The Corruptor (1999), The Departed (2006), and most infamously Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs (1992). I also recommend John Woo's The Killer (1989) because the film is a complete role reversal of this film that places Chow Yun Fat in the role of the criminal and Danny Lee in the role of the cop. It makes for a great compliment to this film if you are curious for more Chow Yun Fat/Danny Lee collaborations.

Danny Lee looks in awe at his handy work.

If being a heroic bloodshed film wasn't enough, City on Fire also has the benefit of being a Christmas time action film! The final half of the film has several scenes with lots of Christmas music in the background and decorations all around. The one scene that sticks out to me is when Danny Lee and Chow Yun Fat watch a Christmas party across the street from their hangout. They point and smile and admire how much fun the patrons are having. But the best bit of Christmas spirit that works its way into the movie is during the final action scene. As Fu drives his car away from the police, a bystander pulls their car right in front of him. When Fu plows through the car, a rendition of "Joy to the World" starts to play as the film's score. It's quite bizarre for such a serious film to do such a silly thing but I liked it. As soon as they crash their car the song stops so at least Ringo Lam knew when to pull back. Otherwise, there is just enough Christmas cheer, music, and decorations in the final half of the film to quality it as a Christmas time action flick like Die Hard, Die Hard 2, First Blood, Invasion U.S.A., and The Long Kiss Goodnight. You've gotta love an action film set during Christmas time.

One of City on Fire's strongest aspect is its lead performance in Chow Yun Fat. Chow plays a character named Ko Chow (how convenient) and really goes through the ringer in this film. Ko Chow wants to help the police however possible. However, he also has to balance a love life, avoid the cops on his tail that don't know he is an undercover cop, and deal with the fact that he is going to betray the jewel thieves that he is befriending. All of these things stack up and cause immense stress in Ko Chow's life. You really feel the stress piling up on Ko Chow; especially when he loses his fiance forever. I found the most emotionally tense moment of the film to be when Ko Chow walks up to his fiance as she tries to run from him at the airport. As she walks towards the plane Ko yells, "Run away! Don't come back!" The cops than grab Ko Chow and arrest him as he screams and yells at her. Ko Chow is a tragic character and Chow Yun Fat nails this role so well. It's truly one of the best roles of Chow's career as far as combining both his dramatic chops and action chops.

Danny Lee and Sun Yeuh do a fine job with their roles. They aren't given as much screen time as Chow Yun Fat so they don't get as much of an opportunity to flesh out their characters. However, they occupy their roles just fine and give solid performances. One thing worth noting is that Danny Lee gets all of the bad ass action scenes in the film. Chow Yun Fat surprisingly fires a gun in only two scenes. He steps back and lets another actor fill the action shoes; much like his performance in A Better Tomorrow III.

Chow rocks an awesome coat as he runs from the police.

The heart of City on Fire is Ko Chow's struggle to please everyone. He tries so hard to get everyone off of his back and simply wants to do the right thing. His character is made far the more tragic by the nightmares that haunt him. This is the icing on the cake of the film. Ko Chow integrated himself into a gang once and turned them over to the police. However, a scuffle occurred and the police were forced to shoot down the man that Ko Chow betrayed. Ko Chow has several nightmares of this betrayal and it haunts him throughout the film. When he befriends Fu, Danny Lee's gangster character, he starts to have nightmares of betraying Fu. You can really feel that it is tearing up Ko because he wants to love his friend but also wants to do the right thing and stop the thieves. I won't spoil the film's conclusion, but it is a very sad and tragic one that exemplifies why I love heroic bloodshed films so much.

As I stated before, City on Fire is very light on action scenes. There is a jewel heist at the beginning of the film, a small foot chase in the middle, and a big jewel heist turned car chase turned epic shootout at the end. The heist at the beginning of the film is pretty good. When the police show up on the scene to stop the heist, Fu steps out on to the street and fires away at the oncoming cop cars. He shoots a car and causes it to flip over, slide, and than explode. But the mayhem at the end of the film is the action pay off of the flick. After the final jewel heist goes wrong, all of the jewel thieves and Ko Chow make off in a car and run from the cops. Once their car crashes, they roll out and engage in an insane shootout right in the streets. I love this final action scene for its impressive stunt work and dramatic implications. Kudos to Ringo Lam for crafting dramatic action scenes with purpose behind them.

There is also a great musical tune that plays during the heists and tense scenes of the film. It's a great piece of music and it screams "1980's."

Danny Lee pops a cop right in the head during the final shootut.

I love City on Fire because it is a heroic bloodshed action film starring two of my favorite Hong Kong action stars, Chow Yun Fat and Danny Lee. The film also comes from masterful filmmaker Ringo Lam who also directed one of my favorite action films of all time, Full Contact (1993). However, many people search out this film simply because it is the inspiration and source of Quentin Tarantino's very popular Reservoir Dogs.

It's a shame that people would only want to watch this film for that reason because City on Fire and Reservoir Dogs are completely different films. City on Fire tells the story of a cop who integrates himself into a gang that plans on robbing a jewelry store. The film ends with a big jewelry heist and a huge car chase / shootout. Reservoir Dogs picks up right where City on Fire ends. The film finds all of the characters after the heist gone wrong and turns it into a low budget character drama that makes use of flashbacks and lengthy monologues. The films could not be more different. 

Yes, there are several scenes and beats lifted straight out of City on Fire. The most obvious ones are the similar final Mexican stand offs, the story of a cop integrating himself into a gang and regretting the eventual betrayal, and the action beats where Danny Lee fires two revolvers into a cop car just like Harvey Keitel does in Reservoir Dogs. But beyond that, both films are entirely different and I hope that no one calls Tarantino a copy cat or City on Fire a lame and weaker film.

The typical Hong Kong Standoff.

City on Fire is a great heroic bloodshed film that all action and drama fans should check out. It's not one of the absolute best Hong Kong action films but it is definitely one of the most confident and dramatic. The tension is unbearable, the action is bloody, and the lead performance is outstanding. Chow Yun Fat gives one of the best performances of his career as the tired and tragic Ko Chow. Danny Lee also does a great job as Fu, the friendly but criminal jewel thief. I highly recommend this action film and consider it to be one Chow Yun Fat's strongest films. And yes, people who love Reservoir Dogs might want to check this out. But do look at it for what it was back in 1987 and not just that old film that Tarantino ripped off.

Rating: 8/10 - A powerful, tense, and thrilling crime drama with two great action scenes thrown into the mix to wet the action aficionado's pallet.