Bullet in the Head (Die xue jie tou) (1990)

100% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
85% of users liked it
(7,057 ratings)

Set in 1967, when clashes between leftists protesting British rule and the police were tearing the colony apart, the film opens with Frank (Jacky Cheung Hok-yau) offering the deed to his parents' home as collateral to a loan shark, so that he can pay for his buddy Ben's (Tony Leung Chiu-wai) wedding… More Set in 1967, when clashes between leftists protesting British rule and the police were tearing the colony apart, the film opens with Frank (Jacky Cheung Hok-yau) offering the deed to his parents' home as collateral to a loan shark, so that he can pay for his buddy Ben's (Tony Leung Chiu-wai) wedding party. Unfortunately, Frank is ambushed by a thug named Ringo and his associates who make off with the money. Ben and Frank vow revenge and end up accidentally killing the guy. Wanted by both the law and the triads, Frank, Ben, and their pal Paul (Waise Lee Chi-hung) head for Vietnam with a case of fake Rolexes and dreams of making a quick buck. Immediately upon arrival, those dreams are dashed -- their wares are blown up in a tin-can military coup, they are almost shot by the South Vietnamese army, and their passports are seized. Though tempted to throw in the towel, Frank and Ben are convinced by Paul into joining forces with shady hit man named Luke (Simon Yam Tat-wah) to shake down club owner Leong (Lam Chung). The scheme goes horribly wrong, ending with the death of a beautiful drug-addled singer named Sally (Yolinda Yan Chi-sin) and our three heroes accused of being CIA agents in a North Vietnamese POW camp. Later, though, Frank saves Paul's live and get injured in the process, Paul can only think of financial gain and saving his own neck. He shoots Frank in the head when he fears his friend's cries of agony will tip off the Vietcong. Unfortunately, the bullet doesn't kill Frank, leaving him brain damaged, drug-addled, and in chronic pain. After Ben learns of Frank's condition, he confronts Paul who has since returned to Hong Kong to become a prominent businessman. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 16 min.
Directed By: John Woo
Genres: Action & Adventure, Art House & International

On DVD: Sep 29, 1998

Critic Reviews

Adam Lippe, Examiner.com
Eschewing the glamorous contract killers of Woo's previous films, Bullet has its carefree and idealistic characters repeatedly in untenable situations, bound to corrupt them. Shooting their way out is a temporary solution which only digs them in deeper.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Left me silent and wide-eyed.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Dean M

The first five minutes of John Woo's masterpiece on the nature of brotherhood has more cinematic potency than many entire movies. This is all a perfect setup for the following sucker punch of the most brutally and entertainingly violent and horrifying series of events ever put on… More
The first five minutes of John Woo's masterpiece on the nature of brotherhood has more cinematic potency than many entire movies. This is all a perfect setup for the following sucker punch of the most brutally and entertainingly violent and horrifying series of events ever put on film. People are shot in their head, people explode, demonstrators are shot, exploding Cuban cigars, etc. The thing is that this mix of melodrama, action, and violence comes together into a cohesive whole and works amazingly well. And this has been compared, not inaptly, to <i>The Deer Hunter</i>, particularly for its harrowing scenes in a Vietcong internment camp. Jacky Cheung make a bold, brave performance as the 'title character,' Tony Leung's ability to communicate tragedy, and Waise Lee's wonderful way with the line, 'All I want is this box of gold. Is that so much to ask?'
Martin S

...I don't know dave
Tsubaki S

Probably one of the most ambitious HK movies ever made. Both in it's content and in it's visual scope, Bullet covers many of the areas that most HK aficionados are familiar with, yet it goes a step further trying to be a lot more than your average HK action thrill. Both… More
Probably one of the most ambitious HK movies ever made. Both in it's content and in it's visual scope, Bullet covers many of the areas that most HK aficionados are familiar with, yet it goes a step further trying to be a lot more than your average HK action thrill. Both failing and succeding in the process. Bullet has a geniune sincerity that one hardly sees in a movie these days. Comparisions with this and other films like The Deer Hunter (which it does take a bit of inspiration) and other war flicks is certainly innevitable. But Bullet is it's very own wild animal, it might feel like familiar territory sometimes, yet at the same time it hardly compares to any of the "safe" war/drama films one might be use to. It is clear that everyone from Woo to the cast put a lot into this project. With all it's flaws and what not, Bullet manages to be an above-average film. I might also be one of the few who liked the "car chase" ending. The whole film really goes down to that very innevitable point of confrontation, so i didn't felt it was out of place.
Anthony V

Great alternate Vietnam view.
Sean L

Probably John Woo's most dramatic film. Very reminiscent of The Deer Hunter, and thats a good thing. This movie is much more plot oriented than either The Killer or Hard Boiled, and I wonder whether that makes it better than those masterpieces. I loved this film.