Just Heroes

1989 Hong Kong film by John Woo and Wu Ma

Just Heroes

Directed by| John Woo
Wu Ma[1]
Produced by| Chang Cheh
Tsui Hark
Starring| Danny Lee
David Chiang
Chen Kuan-tai
Wu Ma
James Wong
Stephen Chow
Ti Lung
Music by| James Wong
Romeo Diaz
Sherman Chow

Production
company

Magnum Films

Distributed by| Golden Princess Amusement

Release date

* 14 September 1989 (1989-09-14)

Country| Hong Kong
Languages| Cantonese
Mandarin
Box office| HK$7,913,229

Just Heroes (Chinese: 義膽群英) is a 1989 Hong Kong action-crime film, directed by John Woo and Wu Ma. The film stars Danny Lee, David Chiang and Stephen Chow.

## Plot

[edit]

Following the death of a triad leader, there is conflict within the Hong Kong organised crime syndicate as various possible leaders vie for power. Pak Wai attempts to bring the traitor in the midst of his own group to justice following a taped conversation of traitor admitting his crimes, but who cannot be found, while Sou, the elected leader of the triad has his family attacked as he fights unknown enemies to bring the organisation back under control. Their actions are hindered by Jacky who is attempting to build up anger between the two completing triads of Hong Kong. The film is brought to a bloody conclusion as the traitor leader of the group storms the triad safe house in a desperate attempt to gain control over the group, but is met by heavy resistance.

## Cast

[edit]

* David Chiang as Cheung Pak Wai
* Danny Lee as Sou
* Chen Kuan Tai as Tai
* Tien Niu as Annie, Sou's wife
* Cally Kwong as Tai's wife
* Wu Ma as Ma
* James Wong as Solicitor Wong
* Stephen Chow as "Jacky" Yuen Kei-hao
* Shing Fui-On as Wah
* Nie Jun
* Ti Lung as Loon
* Yueh Hua as Mr.Elliot

## Production

[edit]

Just Heroes began production as a benefit for the Hong Kong Director's Union.[1][2] The film was made to aid director Chang Cheh, who was broke.[3] When actors Danny Lee and David Chiang found out about Chang's financial situation, they developed the story Just Heroes, which was made to be similar to the film A Better Tomorrow.[3] John Woo directed about 60% of the film.[4]

## Release

[edit]

Just Heroes was released on 14 September 1989.[1] The film was not a major financial success in Hong Kong, making HK$7,913,229 and coming in 48th place in the year end box office.[2] All the money from the film was given to Chang Cheh so he could retire.[3] Rather than using it as retirement funds, Chang used the money to direct another film.[5]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Morton, 2009. p.164
2. ^ a b Morton, 2009. p.165
3. ^ a b c Elder, 2005. p.55
4. ^ Sharrett, 1999. p.411
5. ^ Elder, 2005. p.56

## References

[edit]

* Morton, Lisa (2009). The Cinema of Tsui Hark. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-4460-1. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
* Elder, Robert K. (2005). John Woo Interviews. University Press of Mississippi. ISBN 1-57806-776-6. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
* Sharrett, Christopher (1999). Mythologies of violence in postmodern media. Wayne State University Press. ISBN 0-8143-2742-7.

## External links

[edit]

* Just Heroes at the Hong Kong Movie DataBase
* Just Heroes at Hong Kong Cinemagic
* Just Heroes at IMDb
* Just Heroes at Rotten Tomatoes

* v
* t
* e

Films by John Woo

Directed|

* The Young Dragons (1974)
* The Dragon Tamers (1975)
* Princess Chang Ping (1976)
* Hand of Death (1976)
* Money Crazy (1977)
* Hello, Late Homecomers (1978)
* Follow the Star (1978)
* Last Hurrah for Chivalry (1979)
* From Riches to Rags (1980)
* Laughing Times (1980)
* To Hell with the Devil (1982)
* Plain Jane to the Rescue (1982)
* Run, Tiger, Run (1984)
* Heroes Shed No Tears (1984)
* The Time You Need a Friend (1985)
* A Better Tomorrow (1986)
* A Better Tomorrow II (1987)
* The Killer (1989)
* Just Heroes (1989)
* Bullet in the Head (1990)
* Once a Thief (1991)
* Hard Boiled (1992)
* Hard Target (1993)
* Broken Arrow (1996)
* Once a Thief (1996)
* Face/Off (1997)
* Blackjack (1998)
* Mission: Impossible 2 (2000)
* Windtalkers (2002)
* Paycheck (2003)
* All the Invisible Children (2005, segment "Song Song and Little Cat")
* Red Cliff (2008)
* Reign of Assassins (2010)
* The Crossing (2014)
* Manhunt (2017)
* Silent Night (2023)
* The Killer (2024)

Written only|

* A Better Tomorrow (2010)

Produced only|

* A Better Tomorrow III: Love & Death in Saigon (1989)
* Peace Hotel (1995)
* Somebody Up There Likes Me (1996)
* The Big Hit (1998)
* Bulletproof Monk (2003)
* Blood Brothers (2007)
* Appleseed Saga: Ex Machina (2007)
* Seediq Bale (2011)

* v
* t
* e

Films directed by Wu Ma

* Nu jian kuang dao (1970)
* Deaf Mute Heroine (1971)
* The Water Margin (1972)
* The Pirate (1973)
* The Young Tiger (1973)
* The Manchu Boxer (1974)
* From China with Death (1974)
* Da tie nu (1974)
* All Men Are Brothers (1975)
* Jin san jiao (1975)
* The Protectors (1975)
* Chu hu yi liao (1975)
* Cai li fa xiao zi (1976)
* Shaolin Temple (1976)
* Snake-Crane Secret (1976)
* The Naval Commandos (1977)
* Along Comes a Tiger (1977)
* The Murder of Murders (1978)
* Showdown at the Cotton Mill (1978)
* Bai Ma Su che gou hun fan (1979)
* Handcuff (1979)
* Tai ji ba jiao (1979)
* Flying Sword Lee (1979)
* The Heroes (1980)
* Eagle with a Yellow Face (1980)
* Kung Fu of 8 Drunkards (1980)
* Beware of Pickpockets (1981)
* Brave Commando (1981)
* The Dead and the Deadly (1982)
* Mr. Boo Meets Pom Pom (1985)
* Xiao sheng xian chou (1986)
* My Cousin, the Ghost (1987)
* Picture of a Nymph (1987)
* Burning Sensation (1989)
* Just Heroes (1989)
* Stage Door Johnny (1990)
* Fox Legend (1990)
* Story of Kennedy Town (1990)
* Du mo (1991)
* Exorcist Master (1992)
* Kick Boxer (1993)
* The Chinese Ghostbuster (1994)
* Circus Kid (1994)
* Yi dai xiao xiong cao cao (1999)

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