| Once a Thief | |
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Theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | John Woo |
| Produced by | Terence Chang Linda Kuk |
| Written by | John Woo Janet Chun Clifton Ko |
| Starring | Chow Yun-fat Leslie Cheung Cherie Chung Kenneth Tsang |
| Music by | Lam Man-yee |
| Cinematography | Poon Hang-sang William Yim |
| Editing by | David Wu |
| Distributed by | Golden Princess Film Production Limited |
| Release date(s) | Hong Kong: 2 February 1991 USA: 14 January 1994 |
| Running time | 103 min. |
| Country | Hong Kong |
| Language | Cantonese, French, English, Hakka |
Once a Thief[1] is a 1991 Hong Kong crime film written and directed by John Woo. It stars Chow Yun-fat, Leslie Cheung, Cherie Chung, Kenneth Tsang and Chu Kong in a lighthearted heist themed action-comedy routine.
Although the action sequences are quite faithful to Woo's typical choreography, comic relief and the general mood distinguish it from his grittier works, such as his previous film, Bullet in the Head (1990). Fans of the bloodier John Woo movies may find the bizarre mix of Stephen Chow-like mo lei tau rather confusing. Nonetheless, Woo's endeavor to make something lighter amidst his series of heroic bloodshed films translated to somewhat of a box office success in Hong Kong.
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The story is of three orphans (Chow Yun-Fat, Leslie Cheung, Cherie Chung) and their two father figures (Kenneth Tsang and Chu Kong). They are taken in by both a wealthy crime boss (Tsang) which leads to their close friendship, and a kind police officer (Chu). Nevertheless, the trio grows up learning high-tech methods of theft and specialize in stealing treasured paintings. After a heist in France goes awry, Chow's character is thought to be dead and Leslie takes Chow's place as Cherie's lover. However, Chow returns in a wheelchair and the group begins planning their next heist for themselves, fall out of favor with Tsang, and various complications and gun battles ensue.
The film grossed $33,397,149 HKD in Hong Kong.
On 10 January 2005, DVD was released in Hong Kong Legends at UK in Region 2.
Eight months later, The John Woo Collection DVD were released on 5 September 2005 at 4 disc set including two action crime films they were: Bullet in the Head and The Killer they all three films directed by John Woo.
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