The Untold Story (1995)

Undescribable Perfection

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

For those of us who dwell on the long and seemingly endless plateau of run of the mill slasher movies, exploitation films and shockers, you know what I mean when I say that things get a little boring. Everything you see, you've seen before. Things that once made you cringe now make you smirk. And things that once repulsed you can now be viewed with popcorn in hand...or pork buns.Let me tell you, this movie is disgusting. I have seriously seen my share and this one might be the worst of the worst. Throughout the first hour or so of the film, you get a mix of dark humor, slapstick comedy, and gore. It seems like a cross between "The Story of Ricky" and "Dead Alive." Considering the year it was made, it seems pretty average. Then comes the ending. During the last half hour of "The Untold Story," I think I actually considered turning it off. The story takes an insane turn for the worse as Chang tells the tale of his murder. Shown on camera are scenes of such graphic and disturbing violence, I have to commend the filmmakers at least a little for having the balls to do it. One thing is for sure: I only need to see this movie once.I didn't realize films like this were made in the 1990's. Wow!!! 8 out of 10, kids.

I've waited to watch this one for a long time, having eagerly read up about it before actually managing to find it. Yes, I'm one of those horror fans who salvage through tons of reviews and stuff, taking it upon themselves to find a worthy film to behold. I was excited by this film's reputation... it was hailed as something for the gorehounds, something sick yet funny, a reputation which Peter Jackson's Braindead also shares. Well, I've watched both and some other movies as well so I'll throw in my two cents. 1) Does it live up to the gory reputation? No, not really. First thing, the blood. It seemed as though Herman Yau had two kinds of blood in use for the movie. One is the common overly bright red you see in old horror movies and the other is the deliciously realistic dark coloured blood we all love. If you want to see gore, you can see much more from any respectable zombie movie. Or you could try the Guinea Pig series instead :)2) The funny scenes ruined the movie!That's what lots of reviewers who've watched the movie and actually liked it seem to think. I think the humour in this film doesn't spoil the movie, it's the typical Hong Kong humour you see from films like Troublesome Night, to Bio Zombie. People who say the funny scenes ruin the serious mood of this movie totally fail to see that those scenes are everywhere. Not just from the parts where the female cop is made fun of. This movie is darkly camp and the black humour is persistent and liberal. Now, I won't say I'm a fan of the sexist humour, but I did like the surprise that Anthony Wong's character had for a certain auntie waiting to see her sick nephew... :)3) The 'Chopstick' scene Some people seemed to have a problem with this one. Ignore them! It's not a great scene, nor does it deserve its notoriety, to me it's just... kind of lame. The most brutal rape scene I've seen still belongs to Boys Don't Cry.Finally, if you decide to see this movie, make sure you see it not just for the gore or you might be disappointed. This isn't a bad movie, but it works much better on all levels, than just the 'exploitation' reputation it's been slapped with.

The first Cat III movie I ever watched. Wow, I was blown away by this one. I know this certainly has some love on the board (in fact I can't remember anyone saying they didn't like it, that has watched it) but I believe this deserves more recognition and a wider audience. The subject matter is probably not for everyones..(ahem)..taste - featuring cannibalism, rape, child killing and brutal violence, however director Herman Yau and writer Law Kam Fai have created a horror masterpiece. The story is grisly and Yau doesn't turn the camera away from most of the violence. Its visceral and shocking and for me a breath of fresh air. The story is rather simple, a psychotic goes on the run and ends up working in (or maybe owning??) a restaurant. Although he is not stupid, he cannot control his murderous urges to try and claim, what he believes, is rightfully his. I won't go any farther with plot details as its more fun finding out by yourself Some people view the "comedic" parts involving the police (most notably a female police officer who is continually harassed by her male colleagues - although at times she gives as good as she gets) to be out of place and ham fisted. While I couldn't really argue too much with that, I thought it gave some light relief from the deadly serious tone of the rest of the movie. It certainly didn't detract too much for me anyway. Finally, I believe that this movie would not be anywhere near successful without Anthony Wong. He was the deal breaker. He won a Hong Kong Film Award for his performance and absolutely deserved it. I really can't tell you how impressed I was with his performance, but you need to see it for yourself. Outstanding. TTKK's Bottomline - If you can..(ahem)..stomach the subject matter, this movie is pure horror gold.

This year's HKIFF has director Herman Yau's movies in retrospect, and features some of his adult cult classics like The Untold Story, and Ebola Syndrome. There would be no way that I would pass on the opportunity to watch these movies on the big screen, in 35mm format.The Untold Story tells of a heinous crime that reportedly took place in 80s Macau, where the entire family of the Eight Immortals Restaurant were slaughtered, their bodies dismembered, the bones dumped into trash, and their flesh, as the title already states, gets put as fillings into roast meat buns. Anthony Wong plays the chief villain Wong Chi Hang, who refuses to acknowledge the dastardly murders he had committed, and gives an impressive performance as a dangerous, calculative criminal behind those nerdy looking spectacles.This Category III movie is unflinching in its violence, and not just those involving weapons like butcher knives, but seemingly innocent utensils like ladles and chopsticks will never be looked upon in the same light again. Women and children are not spared the graphicness of it all, and although some acts were done off screen, it is chilling enough to send shivers, no thanks to the gleefully evil expression of Wong the actor. Rape, dismemberment, beheadings, immolation, they're all here to earn this adult movie its cult status.Danny Lee, a regular in cop movies in the 80s and also a producer of the film, plays a cop with shady morals here, with preference for hookers and breaking protocol by bringing them regularly to crime scenes and the police station. It's quite a departure from the straight heroic roles he plays ever so often. Besides watching him in action (haven't seen him in a while), another "oldie" Seng Fui On is in the movie as a jailbird who bears a grudge against Wong Chi Hang. Watching a host of other familiar faces brings back that sense of nostalgia.But perhaps what made this movie stand out, is its portrayal of the police force as a bunch of bumbling officers (in a way) with its blend of comedy, and its stark portrayal of questionable interrogation tactics which probably wouldn't get passed today, and would definitely be frowned upon.It's a wicked delight to indulge in the enjoyment of this movie, and I'd recommend anyone who wants to watch this, to watch it on the big screen in 35mm format at whatever opportunity that comes by.