Triads: The Inside Story

Plot

Lee Man-ho (Chow Yun-fat) is the son of Uncle Kwan (Tien Feng), the leader of the Hung Hing Gang. Ho was sent to the United States during his childhood to live a stable life where he established a family. Meanwhile, Uncle Kwan is ambushed and killed during a gang fight led by rival leader Shrimp (Kevin Wang). Ho returns to Hong Kong for his father's funeral. Upon his arrival, he is elected to be his father's successor as the leader of the Hung Hing Gang. Ho knows little of the culture and the criminal underworld, as Yeung Kong (Roy Cheung), often chastising Ho due to this fact. Kong also does not get along with Tse Shing (Michael Chan), another respected member. Kong and Shing get into a fight during a banquet. However due to Ho's intervention, they chose to maintain the harmony of the gang. Subsequently all members of Hung Hing Gang became loyal to Ho because Ho was always kind to them, valuing a sense of brotherhood.

Later in the film, during a fight, the members of the Hung Hing gang capture Coffin Rope (Lung Ming-yan), the head of a rival triad. Ho intends to kill the latter, but due to his lenient personality, Ho has Coffin Rope's eyebrows shaved off. Seeing as an opportunity for a counterattack, he colludes with Boss Chow (Pau Hon-lam), a wealthy businessman, then uses Kong and Shing's rivalry to his advantages. Coffin Rope sends his men to kill Shing's family and then frames Kong, worsening the relationship within the Hung Hing gang. He also puts cocaine in Kong's car and informs the police. Ho decides to save Kong and gets rid of Coffin Rope's triad. However, the police arrive and take Kong into custody. Before his arrest, Kong tells Ho that he is a kind leader, but not a good triad member.

Ho returns to the Hung Hing office and sets it on fire, putting an end to the triad society. Apologizing to his father and hoping that he will understand his actions, Ho returns to a normal life in America with his family.

Cast

Chow Yun-fat as Lee Man-ho, the son of Hung Hing Gang leader Uncle Kwan. He is forced to take up the mantle, and is popular amongst his peers. He later returns to the US alongside his family and Shing.

Roy Cheung as Yeung Kong, a Hung Hing member and son of Uncle Ping. He is framed due to Coffin Rope planting cocaine in his car.

Michael Chan as Tse Shing, a Hung Hing member. He leaves with Ho to go to the US at the end of the film.

Connie Mak as Kuen, Tse Shing's wife. She is killed by Coffin Rope's men.

Tien Feng as Uncle Kwan, the head of the Hung Hing Gang and Ho's father. He is killed and ambushed by the rival gang when a deal goes wrong.

Kenneth Tsang as Chan Tin-lok, a superintendent at the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau.

Sit Chi-lun as Jenny, Ho's wife. She returns with her husband to the US at the end of the film.

Shing Fui-On as Crazy Keung / Mad Keung, a Hung Hing member. He dies due to an accidental scuffle with Kong after a misunderstanding.

Lam Kau as Uncle Ping, a triad member and father of Yeung Kong.

Lung Ming-yan as Coffin Rope, a rival triad leader who shares bad blood with the Hung Hing gang. He is run over by Ho's car when he tries to escape

Jeffrey Lam as Uncle Bill, a Hung Hing member.

Kelvin Wong as Shrimp, a rival triad leader and mastermind behind Kwan's death. He is run over by Ho's car when he tries to escape.

Theme song

Shifting Sand Revolving in the Air (飛砂風中轉)

Composer: Lo Tayu

Lyricist: Richard Lam

Singer: Chow Yun-fat

Reception

Mike Fury of Hong Kong Cinemagic gave the film a positive review praising the story being "far more dramatic and character driven rather than being reliant on overuse of action" and containing "a large number of references and cultural and historical traditions of the society, which was in fact quite rare for a film at this time" which stands out among other films in the same genre. Fury also praised the performances of Chow Yun-fat, Shing Fui-On, Michael Chan and Roy Cheung and praises director Taylor Wong for using "a very simplistic and disconnected method of direction, which, at times, gives the film an almost documentary feel in which the camera simply rolls while men are talking in a room and the audience is virtually eavesdropping."

Box office

The film grossed HK$14,038,799 at the Hong Kong box office during its theatrical run from 4 to 18 August 1989 in Hong Kong.