Search - Hong Kong 1941 on DVD

A superb film.

Andrew Saroch | wellingborough, england | 12/08/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As has been said, Hong Kong 1941 deals with friendship against the backdrop of the Japanese invasion of that year. The way this film examines the strength of the friendship between Chow, Man and Yip is excellent and the tension created by the impending danger of the Japanese is well realised. This would have to rank as one of Chow Yun-Fat's strongest performances and Alex Man has never been better. With Ceilia Yip also putting in a quality performance, this is an all-round classic. It reminded me of some of Chang Cheh's best films and for anyone who appreciates Hong Kong cinema, that should be praise enough."

This is the REAL STUFF of which great movies are made!

Andrew Saroch | 10/29/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of my favorite Chow Yun Fat and Hong Kong movies. I just loved this movie. It's kind of a Chinese Casablanca. The Story: Hong Kong is captured by the Japanese early in World War II. Three young people try to survive the occupation. And yet, it's the fear before the invasion, the reactions and changes that the people go through to cope with the horror and the strength and heart of the resistance. And to top it off an intense love triangle. Excellent! Best of all, you really can identify with the characters. There is real suffering and sacrifice here that leads to growth of character. This is the REAL STUFF that great films are made of. I highly recommend it. And the whole time you will keep asking yourself, "What would I do in if I was put in that same situation?""

This is a story of friendship and love in wartime.

Patricia (jan@oaktree.net) | Indianapolis, U.S.A. | 05/29/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As the title indicates, this movie begins in Hong Kong in 1941--not a great place to be at that time, because the Japanese Army is about to invade the city. Chow Yun Fat plays an out-of-work actor who befriends a coolie (played by Yip Man,) and the coolie's girlfriend. The three of them struggle to survive and to maintain their dignity as Chinese under the Japanese occupation. Chow Yun Fat and Yip Man give great performances as two men who become fast friends, but whose friendship is complicated by the fact that both are falling in love with the same woman--who also dearly loves both of them. Everyone in this film is good, but Chow Yun Fat is great in his range of expression. There is an excellent fight scene between the protagonists and the Japanese occupying general. The movie is fast-paced and realistic, patriotic without being sentimental. The movie never drags and has great characterization and plot. It will appeal not only to fans of Chow Yun Fat, but anyone who likes war movies, adventure movies, or movies about romance or friendship. A must-see!"

Warning on English subtitles!

Anthony | Montreal, Canada | 05/19/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I will leave the other reviewers of 'Hong Kong 1941' to analyze the film for you. I have written this review to inform potential customers that the English subtitles on this Fox Home Entertainment edition are not up-to standards, especially for a major movie company such as Fox. There are some spelling (!!) errors but the most annoying aspect of them are that there are basic English grammatical mistakes. I watched the movie in the original Chinese audio with English subtitles and was duly disappointed.

The movie itself is ok and quite enjoyable, yet the subtitles are a major nuisance. Not only are they poorly done, but there are times throughout the movie where conversation is heard for quite a while, and you are certain subtitles are needed, but they never appear! Thus, the inevitable consequence is that at times, the movie lacks fluidity if you want to watch the movie in its original audio (The English dubbed version is very bad as well).

The picture and sound 'quality' on the DVD are great, but the subtitles simply ruin it."