The Iron Butterfly

1989 1h 19m CN

CrimeTV Movie

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

The police feel the case is serious, then send Shan, Hui even hand investigation, two at first did not and, as understanding deepens, emotional surge; and Ling-hui is the subordinate Li Jian fell in love. Hui Shan and strengthen business gang raids, thereby forcing each gang leader to surrender Aberdeen, against being next use, health and more were killed.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Betty Mak Chui-Han
Fiona Leung Ngai-Ling
Do Yi-ling
Anthony Wong Chau-Sang
Policeman
Nathan Chan Ting-Wai
Lam Chung
Gangster boss
Alan Chan Kwok-Chi
Lee Hoi-Sang
Triad boss
Felix Lok Ying-Kwan

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Johnnie To
Writers: Wing-Mui Leung
Languages: Cantonese
Countries: Hong Kong

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

RUNTIME

Did you know

Tight 79-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

ERA

Did you know

37 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

CINEMA

Did you know

Part of the "Iron Butterfly Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

AWARDS

Did you know

Directed by Johnnie To, shot by Wong Tat-Lung. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by William Wu Wai-Lap. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

AWARDS

Did you know

Betty Mak Chui-Han and Fiona Leung Ngai-Ling and Anthony Wong Chau-Sang carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt2014200 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Johnnie To directs. Wong Tat-Lung behind the camera. William Wu Wai-Lap scores. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in Hong Kong. Dialogue in Cantonese.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Tight 79-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.
237 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Part of the "Iron Butterfly Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.
4Directed by Johnnie To, shot by Wong Tat-Lung. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by William Wu Wai-Lap. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Betty Mak Chui-Han and Fiona Leung Ngai-Ling and Anthony Wong Chau-Sang carry the top of the cast.
7IMDB entry: tt2014200 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.