The Raid

Toronto International Film Festival Program Book
1991

The Raid
Tsui Hark
Hong Kong, 1991 100 minutes
Colour/35mm
Production Company: Cinema City Entertainment
Executive Producer: Dean Shek
Producer: Ching Siu-tung
Screenplay: Tsui Hark
Cinematography: Lau Moon Tong
Editor: Lau Ka Wai
Art Director: Chung Yi Fung
Principal Cast: Dean Shek, Jackie Cheung, Tony Leung, Chu Kong

Imagine seeing Raiders of the Lost Ark after not sleeping for a week and consuming copious amounts of coffee. The cartoon violence would go miles over the top, the already kinetic camerawork would leap into your face, the otherwise simple story would suddenly seem frighteningly complex, and just about everything—especially the fighting—would look really cool. And now there is no need to use artificial stimulants to achieve this nirvana, thanks to Tsui Hark, master of the Hong Kong action film. Constructed somewhat like an Oreo cookie, with spectacular action sequences at the beginning and the end, with rich comic relief in the middle, The Raid is simply a treat to watch.

Tsui Hark and producer-star Dean Shek manage to cram every genre element from the current Hong Kong cinema into this 100-minute romp. Gambling, sword fights, bedroom farce, really big guns, kitschy musical numbers, ninjas, beautiful clothes, and lots of explosions are just a few of the treats in store. Not to mention another great performance from Jackie Cheung (Paul from Bullet in the Head).

Dr. Chou, an old doctor, is abducted by strange tribesmen to treat nationalist soldiers suffering from poison gas administered by the evil Manchu empire. After using his ancient cures successfully, Chou wants to help in the struggle against the emperor, but the Colonel is not interested. Undeterred, Chou manages to gather together a motley crew of fighters. Participants include his niece, her erstwhile boyfriend, a gangster-union organizer (Cheung) and the assistant to the emperor’s lover. They all intermittently fall in love and fight gruesome battles to destroy the (surreally stylized) poison gas factory. Sound complicated? Just sit back and enjoy.
—Noah Cowan