Winners and Sinners
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| Winners and Sinners | |
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 UK DVD cover |
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| Directed by | Sammo Hung |
| Produced by | Raymond Chow Sammo Hung |
| Written by | Sammo Hung Barry Wong |
| Starring | Sammo Hung Jackie Chan Yuen Biao Richard Ng Charlie Chin Stanley Fung |
| Cinematography | Lau Kwun Wai |
| Distributed by | Golden Harvest |
| Release date(s) | 1983 |
| Running time | 101 mins |
| Country | Hong Kong |
| Language | Cantonese |
| Followed by | My Lucky Stars Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Stars |
| Allmovie profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
Winners and Sinners (traditional Chinese: 五福星; pinyin: Wŭ fú xīng, meaning "Five Lucky Stars") is a 1983 Hong Kong action comedy film directed and co-written by Sammo Hung. It was the first in the Lucky Stars series of films - a highly successful series in Hong Kong.
The film co-stars Jackie Chan in a significant role as an error-prone police officer. It also features a cameo appearance from Yuen Biao as another police officer who gets into a fight with Chan's character.
The film is a semi-prequel to My Lucky Stars and Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Stars, insofar as the "Five Lucky Stars" concept and many of the same actors return in those latter films. However, the character names and indeed their roles differ - Stanley Fung's character is the nominal "leader" of the quintet in Winners and Sinners, whereas Sammo Hung's character takes the mantle in the latter films.
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[edit] Background
Sammo Hung got the idea for the film from an old TV show, in which a group of police officers from different backgrounds worked together, each displaying their own particular skills. By giving the characters humorous and disparate backgrounds, he hoped to make an entertaining film.[1]
The film's Chinese title, Five Lucky Stars was chosen as it was evocative of the Seven Little Fortunes (aka "The Lucky Seven"). The Seven Little Fortunes was the name of the performance troupe that included Hung, Chan and Yuen, whilst they attended the Peking Opera School, The China Drama Academy, as children.[1]
[edit] Plot Synopsis
The film begins with Teapot (Sammo Hung), attempting to rob the dormant homes of a wealthy neighborhood in Hong Kong. When attempting to rob one particular house, he is briefly mistaken for the guest of honor at a surprise birthday party, and is subsequently handed over to the police. The following day, four other petty criminals are apprehended - unruly civil rights leader Curly (John Shum), car washer Exhaust Pipe (Richard Ng) who steals vehicle parts, well-dressed thief Vaseline (Charlie Chin) who swindles jewelry shops' most expensive watches, and Rookie (Stanley Fung), a mysterious and usually rude stranger. The quintet unite in prison and promise to make their fortune together in every possible way upon their release. Rookie is the gang's leader, whilst Teapot is bullied by the others (in the later films, Roundhead, played by Eric Tsang, is the group's victim and Hung's character is the leader). Following their release, they team up with Curly's beautiful sister, Shirley (Cherie Chung), and form a cleaning company.
A sixth convict, the wealthy Jack Tar (James Tien) is released on the same day. Upon his release, he returns to his mansion, his fleet of expensive vehicles and his dozens of bodyguards. Tar commences work on his next criminal project, trading counterfeit US and Hong Kong currency with another crime boss. When the deal takes place, a brave, if careless cop CID 07 (Jackie Chan) attempts to recover the briefcase containing the phony money, but the case somehow ends up in the Five Stars Cleaning Co. van... While none of the workers realize this misfortune, Tar certainly does. Later, Teapot and his friends decide to attend Tar's high-class party, hoping to expand their business with the wealthy guests. Unluckily Tar recognizes Curly instantly, and interrogates him. A battle ensues, where Teapot's kung fu skills are heavily relied on. Finally, another Triad gang, led by Tar's rival, wants the printing plates as well. A climatic fight takes place at a warehouse, where both Tar and his rival, along with their goons, are finally defeated. At the end, Teapot receives a reward and marries Shirley.
[edit] International versions
A dubbed version was released in the UK in the late 1980s, which omitted a karaoke sequence in the market stall. The 2004 UK DVD release by Hong Kong Legends contained the original Cantonese audio and reinstated the missing scene.
[edit] Cast includes
- Sammo Hung - "Teapot"
- John Shum - "Curly"
- Richard Ng - "Exhaust Pipe"
- Charlie Chin - "Vaseline"
- Stanley Fung - "Rookie"
- Cherie Chung - "Shirley"
- Jackie Chan - "CID 07"
- Philip Chan - "Inspector"
- James Tien - "Jack Tar"
- Paul Chang - Mr. Hope
- Pat Ha - Tar's Daughter
- Lam Ching Ying - Tar's butler
- Tai Po - Chai
- Cecilia Yip - Ceci
- Fung Hark-On - Pat
- Chung Fat - Henchman
- Dick Wei - Henchman
- Chan Lung - Henchman
- Yuen Biao - CID agent
- Moon Lee - CID agent's girlfriend
- Cho Tat-wah - Medicine man
- Mars - Robber
- Wu Ma - Postman
- Barry Wong - Announcer
- Chiu Chi Ling - Master Chiu
- Ann Hui - Fast Food clerk
- Lau Chau Sang - Bus driver (uncredited)
[edit] Box Office
This film grossed HK $21,972,419 during its Hong Kong theatrical run.
[edit] Awards and Nominations
- 1984 Hong Kong Film Awards:
- Winner: Best Action Choreography
- Nominated: Best Actor (Richard Ng)
[edit] References
- ^ a b Sammo Hung. Winners and Sinners, "Tango Teapot" interview with Sammo Hung [DVD]. Contender Entertainment Group.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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