Hong Kong Godfather (1985) Review

“Hong Kong Godfather” International DVD Cover

AKA: Hong Kong Godfathers
Director: Wang Lung Wei
Cast: Leung Kar Yan, Norman Chu Siu Keung, Pomson Shi, Richard Cheung Kuen, Shum Wai, Chui Suk Woon, Kong Lung, Paulo Tocha, Shih Kien, Huang Pa-Ching
Running Time: 94 min.

By HKFanatic

Arriving in 1985, “Hong Kong Godfather” is one of the later era Shaw Brothers flick and it’s not necessarily one of their best either. However, this tale of Triad brothers has a certain sleazy energy to it, with way more sex and violence than one is accustomed to in a Shaw Brothers film, that makes it a compelling watch. Everything builds to the heroic bloodshed ending where our three heroes take on about fifty guys with nothing but meat cleavers. This lengthy action sequence occurs in a closed office complex – security guards fall over railings and hit the ground several stories down, blood paints the walls of stairwells, and office furniture is crushed as though it were made out of paper. It’s outstanding.

This epic finale came out just a year before “A Better Tomorrow“; while it lacks the poetry-in-motion style of John Woo, you’ve got to give the Shaw Brothers credit for getting there first. They were trying to innovate and stay relevant circa ’85 but they simply couldn’t compete with Golden Harvest boys like Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung or the approaching onslaught of Tsui Hark’s Film Workshop productions.

“Hong Kong Godfather” is your typical Triad revenge movie, except it had the disadvantage of being made before filmmakers like John Woo invented the iconography of the genre. Thus, the characters don’t actually use guns that often, instead they stick to knives or machetes, and many scenes are taken up by lengthy dinners or social events. In true Coppola “The Godfather” fashion, the main protagonists are introduced via an extended birthday party scene. The rest of the movie gives way to corny melodrama, betrayal that you can see coming from a mile away, and oaths of vengeance. Surprisingly, it still holds up fairly well – probably because when the action does come, it arrives fast and furious, courtesy of director Lung Wei Wang.

Shek Kin stars as the big Triad boss; in contrast with his role in “Enter the Dragon,” Shek plays about the most kind and gentle Triad boss you could imagine. In a cute homage to Bruce Lee, his young grandson swipes his nose and performs a few kung-fu kicks on the patio. “Where’d you learn those moves?” Shek asks, a bit bewildered.

Shek Kin’s right hand man is played by Norman Chu, who is saddled with one of the worst haircuts in 80’s cinema history. He’s got this little spit-curl perm that looks like something John Oates would have worn during the Me Decade, with a gross little rat tail at the end that Chu runs his comb through. Norman is a good actor but it’s hard to take him seriously for most of the movie.

Faring much better is Sammo Hung’s buddy, Ka-Yan Leung AKA “Beardy.” He doesn’t get to show off his martial arts skill as much as he does in his Golden Harvest films, but he’s still a bad-ass in “Hong Kong Godfather.” Retired from the Triad business ever since his wife died, he now lives in the country with two cute dogs until circumstances intervene and he’s pulled back in to the underworld. Shum Wai plays the pot-bellied traitor who is obviously evil from his introductory scene where he arches his eyebrow like a Bond villain.

Watching this film, I got the impression that the Shaw Brothers were trying desperately to score a hit so they over-loaded the movie with more nudity and violence than in any of their previous films, almost putting “Hong Kong Godfather” in exploitation territory. The story is alright, if predictable, but the ending is what really puts a ribbon on things. It’s brutal, bloody, well-choreographed – just a satisfying conclusion in the grand tradition of Hong Kong tragic hero finales. If you’re a big fan of heroic bloodshed or simply curious about seeing a Shaw Brothers film set during modern times, “Hong Kong Godfather” is worth a look. You just might want to take a shower afterwards to wash off the grime.

HKFanatic’s Rating: 7/10

By JJ Hatfield

Hong Kong, 1985. One man rules over the Triad world – Godfather Szetu Han. Now a violent new gang wants to get their share by any means they can and that includes taking over Han’s influence. Han decides to offer up a business deal. That’s how things are done. Unfortunately the new guys in town are not interested in getting a share they want it all!

This film is almost textbook triad/brothers/revenge courtesy of the Shaw Brothers. There are the fairly typical roles and plot that don’t need much exposition as the acts speak louder than words. Johnny Wang Lung-Wei directed, wrote and choreographed this second film for the Shaw studio. He also makes a brief appearance in the movie. All of the Triad elements are in good supply. Basic structure of story, not much plot, a traitor, bad asses and badder bad asses, loyalty, brotherhood and blood.

Despite this being an older film the story still holds up to current times. Unfortunately it has been overlooked by many people who would probably find it a very entertaining Triad piece. The film was not given much of a promotion budget and it wasn’t up to the style of some of the slick newer Triad films. Too bad – because this is a f**king fantastic flick!

Han (Sek Kin) is probably the nicest Godfather you will ever see on screen. His word is always a guarantee. He’s honest and doesn’t really like to order any sort of violence. But a Godfather has got to do what a Godfather has to do and he does have people who probably aren’t considered nice on those occasions. Drugs are one thing he is not interested in profiting from and he cares about those in the “family”. He considers three men as “sons”. Playboy Lung (Norman Chu), Sergeant Wen (Richard Kuen) and Mad – Dog Wei (Leung Kar-Yan). Han is such a good guy and family man he allows Mad-Dog to “leave the business” to care for his daughter after her mother dies. Everyone loves and respects the Godfather. With the exception of Lan, the scuzzbag leader of the gang that wants Han to give up territory or get out of their way.

Lan is too inept and too lazy to work his way up in the syndicate, he prefers brute force. Han refuses his demands and suddenly there are attacks, ambushes and Lan is behind it. Han’s three “sons” race to his side just like the old days!

The movie starts with action, the hook to catch your interest. Then the viewer is given the back story on the main characters. During this time do not expect machete mania. It would have been better perhaps to have a couple of tight fights during this time or maybe it is there to give you a chance to prepare for the all out slashing and slaughter to come. If the viewer is tempted to just FF through the non – action – don’t do it. You will lose a lot of the importance of the characters. The patient viewer will be well rewarded.

Between blood baths the viewer will recognize and enjoy the 80‘s thing happening. Funky style clothes – check. Bad hair – check. Shades – check. Cheesy music – check. “Brothers” humor – check. Machete hits that should cut off limbs, at least on the first blow but don’t – check. Triads – check. Revenge – check.

It really is not paced as well as it could be but you need something besides bloody fights! Not to worry action seekers the last twenty or so minutes is nothing but serious ass kicking and lots and lots of machetes and big knives being used by everyone. This isn’t a guns flick, these guys are the originals and that means machetes! Brutal, bloody and barbaric and it just keeps getting more intense. More people, more machetes, more bodies, more blood spilled and splattered in the name of revenge! Everyone is fair game if they are the new guys who caused so much bloodshed. Gangsters, other gangsters,some good guys, bad guys and even bystanders and the cops are taken down in fever pitch revenge.

Don’t look for any really artistic martial arts or “pretty” fighting. This is balls to the wall, take no prisoners, hard hitting, blood spurting, down and dirty fighting on a level rarely seen. Each fight is more bloody and full of gore than the last. There are some fight scenes that could more accurately be called stunts. Everyone who enjoys Hong Kong type action and Triad stories should have this movie in their collection!

JJ Hatfield’s Rating: 8/10