To Be Number One

Directed by Poon Man-kit

Ray Lui’s performance as mobster Ng Shek-ko majestically leads this epic, and highly influential, crime drama that in true crime film style follows the rise and fall of a gangster from humble beginnings. Supposedly based upon a true story, but clearly influenced by a range of Hollywood classics, its success kick-started a cycle of ‘rise of the gangster’ films in Hong Kong. To Be Number One was voted Best Film at the 1992 Hong Kong Film Awards.

Duration:
136 minutes

Languages:
Cantonese, English, Hakka, Mandarin and Thai

Subtitles:
Chinese and Full English

Country of origin:
Hong Kong

Year of production:
1991