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

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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

Apr 22, 2003

Rim Film Distributors

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 | Comment
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 | Comment
Apollo Guide
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Audience Reviews for Zong heng si hai (Once a Thief)

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
allan913

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
Naesssal

Super Reviewer

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Foreign Titles

  • Once a Thief (1991) (DE)
  • Once a Thief (1991) (UK)
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