Bullet for Hire is a 1991 Hong Kong action film written and directed by Yuen Chun-man and starring Jacky Cheung, Simon Yam, Dick Wei, Lo Lieh and Sheila Chan.
Plot
Triad assassins Ngok (Lo Lieh), Hon (Simon Yam) and Shan (Jacky Cheung) are struggling in a battle for money and power in Hong Kong. Ngok and Hon has worked for triad boss Dick (Dick Wei) for over ten years and the two have established a profound friendship. Because they were clever, the two were heavily utilized by Dick. However, Ngok is getting old and worried that Dick will harm his only daughter, San (Elaine Chow). With the help of the police, Ngok was able to fake his death during an assassination attempt.
Shan, on the other hand, is a newcomer killer. While following Hon, Shan gets to learn about the fickleness of the world. One time after winning HK$100,000 from a bet, he encounters a message girl, Lan (Sheila Chan) and develops a romantic relationship with her. At this time, Dick suspects about Ngok's death and sends Hon and Shan to kill him. Dick also kidnaps Lan to blackmail Shan and at this critical moment of deciding the fate of three of them, the choices of life and death are in front of them.
Cast
Jacky Cheung as Shan
Simon Yam as Hon
Dick Wei as Mr. Dick
Lo Lieh as Ngok
Sheila Chan as Lan
Elaine Lui as Interpol officer
Elaine Chow as San
Lam Chung as Bill (cameo) Ma Kei as Kwai (cameo) Hung San-sam as Ngok's victim in flashback Wan Seung-lam as Mr. Dick's thug Lee Chun-kit as Mr. Dick's thug Paul Wong as Mr. Dick's thug Wong Chi-keung as Mr. Dick's thug Lung Tin-sang as Boss playing darts in pub Johnny Cheung as Boss's thug/Mr. Dick's thug Ridley Tsui as Boss's thug Johnny Yip Tam Chuen-leung Danny Chow as one of Kwai's men Tam Chuen-hing as Superintendent Henry Tso Hon Jameson Lam as Restaurant captain Ken Yip as Ngai Chai-wan's bodyguard Tsim Siu-ling Hung Yan-yan Roger Thomas as Mr. Wilson Johnny Koo as Kau Huang Kai Sen as Assassin Benny Lai as Boss's thug Ka See-fung as Boss's thug Hon Chun as Boss's thug Kwok Nga-cheung
Theme song
Resurrection (復活) Composer: Donald Ashley Lyricist: Calvin Poon Singer: Jacky Cheung
Reception
Critical
City On Fire gave the film a score of 8/10 and writes "It's an erratic, irreverent, almost anything goes flick with comedy that's actually comical and some explosive action sequences that get the squibs bursting."
Box office
The film grossed HK$3,646,104 at the Hong Kong box office during its theatrical run from 5 to 11 September 1991 in Hong Kong.