Zong heng si hai (Once a Thief) (1991)

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Average Rating: 6.5/10
Reviews Counted: 5
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 2

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Release Date: Feb 2, 1991 Wide

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Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 514

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Movie Info

For this 1991 action comedy from Hong Kong, director John Woo took a break from his ultraviolent thrillers; it was made a year after Bullet in the Head, and a year before Hard-Boiled. Chow Yun-Fat, Leslie Cheung, and Cherie Chung portray a trio of orphans who have grown to become art thieves. When their foster father (Kenneth Tsang), a powerful crime boss, forces them into stealing a painting, they pull off the job but are double-crossed. To get even, the trio plans a heist to steal the painting

R, 1 hr. 48 min.

Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense, Comedy

Directed By: John Woo

Written By: John Woo, Clifton Ko

In Theaters: Feb 2, 1991 Wide

On DVD: Apr 22, 2003

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Critic Reviews for Zong heng si hai (Once a Thief)

All Critics (7) | Fresh (3) | Rotten (3) | DVD (4)

Anyone who already owns The Killer and Hard-Boiled will undoubtedly still find much to enjoy within Once a Thief.

June 13, 2004 Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com

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Scott Weinberg

eFilmCritic.com

Fails to deliver the action goods that John Woo fans want, and his skill with a romantic plot is not very good.

June 22, 2003 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide

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Jamie Gillies

Apollo Guide

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Audience Reviews for Zong heng si hai (Once a Thief)

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A classic good time at the movies. An outrageous, stylish and exhilarating action-packed comedy. It's full of smarts, suspense. gun-play and big laughs. A wonderfully entertaining and dazzling heist picture that just a real joy to watch. Director, John Woo and Star, Chow Yun-Fat always deliver the goods and this one

March 22, 2011

Al S

Super Reviewer

Some of the goofier comedic elements didn't work for me, but there are still some very enjoyable sequences. Its Woo's weakest HK film that I've seen, but its still better than Hard Target.

September 27, 2009