The Champions (1983 film)

The Champions (Chinese: 波牛) is a 1983 Hong Kong action sports comedy film written and directed by Brandy Yuen and starring Yuen Biao.

Not to be confused with Champions (1984 film).
The Champions
Theatrical release poster
Traditional波牛
Simplified波牛
MandarinBō Niú
CantoneseBo1 Ngau4
Directed byBrandy Yuen
Produced byRaymond Chow
Screenplay byBrandy Yuen
StarringYuen Biao
Cheung Kwok-keung
Dick Wei
Moon Lee
Eddy Ko
Music byBlue Max Productions
Lam Miu-tak
Richard Lam
CinematographyMa Koon-wa
Kenneth Sung
Edited byPeter Cheung
Production
company
Paragon Films
Peace Film Production (HK)
Distributed byGolden Harvest
Release date
13 October 1983 (1983-10-13)
Running time
94 minutes
CountryHong Kong
LanguageCantonese
Box officeHK$3,206,327

Synopsis

Lee Tung (Yuen Biao) is taunted by rival football teams. At first he is just a ball boy and a punch bag for the leading villain, King (Dick Wei). But after too many beatings, Tung decides to play for another local team and to go against King in a one-off football match at the end. The film also tackles problems of jealousy, corruption and bullying in sports.[1]

Cast
  • Yuen Biao as Lee Tung
  • Cheung Kwok-keung as Suen
  • Dick Wei as King
  • Moon Lee as Fanny
  • Eddy Ko as Tung's Uncle
  • Cheung King-po as King's assistant
  • Kam Biu as Soccer bets syndicate's boss
  • Tong Tin-hei as Seng Sun Team's boss
  • Tino Wong as 3rd Master
  • Ho Pak-kwong as 3rd Master's assistant
  • Fung King-man as Village contest's emcee
  • Yue Tau-wan as Social soccer player
  • Brandy Yuen as Man who helps buy betting tickets
  • Yuen Lung-kui as Man who hits gong
  • Johnny Cheung as King's soccer player
  • Lee Chun-wa as Muscle man arm-wrestling with Tung
  • Liu Hok-man as Pickpocket / Soccer player
  • Victor Yeung as Soccer spectator
  • Yeung Wai as Jogger (cameo)
  • Lee Fat-yuen as 3rd Master's thug
  • To Siu-ming as Pool attendee
  • Ho Tin-shing as Chuen
  • Sin Yuk-lung as Participant at village contest
  • Yeung Wah as Participant at village contest
  • Ho Wah
  • Lung Ying
  • Sa Au
  • Man Ngai-tik
  • Leung Hung
  • Ernest Mauser as VIP at soccer stadium opening
  • Benny Lai as King's soccer player
  • Ko Hung as Social soccer player
  • Chan Leung as Soccer player
  • Sham Chin-po as Social soccer player

Critical response

Variety applauded the film's "impeccably-choreographed action sequences" while also acknowledging that "the storyline (the underdogs make good) and acting are secondary", with only the final football match being criticized for taking place "in some obscure sand lot that truly weakens the impact."[2]

Accolades

In 1985, the film was nominated for the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Action Choreography for Brandy Yuen and Yuen Shun-yi at the 3rd Hong Kong Film Awards.[3]

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References
  1. Lets Look: The Champions (1983) - review (in French)
  2. Variety (31 December 1985). Variety's Film Reviews: 1983-1984 (2nd ed.). R.R. Bowker. ISBN 978-0-8352-2798-8.
  3. IMDb.com: Boh Ngau awards page


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