A gripping piece of 1980's Hong Kong noir that is uncompromising in its brutal action and tragic atmosphere. All the main villains get killed and the two heroic leads get imprisoned. Even an innocent child doesn't survive. It's a bleak film but a fascinating one. The cast are perfect. Yuen Biao gives one of his best performances as the anguished CID man. As the rogue police familiar thespians Charlie Chin, Yuen Wah, Phillip Ko and Lo Lieh are brilliant, again giving some of their best playing in a HK film. And even better is Pat Ha as the assassin Miss Pai who doesn't say much leaving her face to do the performing and who is riveting. If you want to see why Hong Kong cinema of that era is a wonder to behold watch this film.
Review of On the Run
