A Better Tomorrow is a 1986 Hong Kong action film directed by John Woo and starring Chow Yun-Fat as a friend to a pair of brothers who decide to take on the Triad crime organization. The film would spawn the 1987 sequel A Better Tomorrow II and the 1989 prequel A Better Tomorrow III, as well as a 2010 South Korean remake.
The following weapons were used in the film A Better Tomorrow:
Handguns
Smith & Wesson Model 10
The Smith & Wesson Model 10 revolver is carried by Sung Tse-Kit (Leslie Cheung) as his police service weapon. A suppressed revolver is also used by an assassin who attempts to kill Ho and Kit's father; such a suppressor would be innefective in real life since he gap between the barrel and cylinder allows gases to escape. How effective it is in the film is not very clear, the sound effect used is similar to other gunshots in the film.
Early model Smith & Wesson Model 10 - .38 Special
Sung Tse-Kit (
Leslie Cheung) practices one-handed firing with the S&W Model 10 in the range.
Kit uses a S&W Model 10 in the range when he is at the police academy.
An assassin attempts to kill the father of Ho (
Ti Lung) and his brother Kit (
Leslie Cheung) with a suppressed revolver.
Kit takes his service revolver and his handcuff before going to the docks.
Smith & Wesson Model 28 Highway Patrolman
During the shootout in the restaurant, one of Taiwanese gangsters who attempts to fire at Mark Lee (Chow Yun-Fat) uses a Smith & Wesson Model 28 Highway Patrolman revolver.
Smith & Wesson Model 28 Highway Patrolman - .357 Magnum
A gangster fires at Mark Lee moments before being shot.
Beretta 92F
Director John Woo's favorite handgun, the Beretta 92F, makes frequent appearances in this film. Mark (Chow Yun-Fat), Ho (Ti Lung), and Kit (Leslie Cheung) all use the pistol at different times in the film, as do many of Triad gangsters. Aside from being the film that introduced the Beretta 92F as a staple of John Woo films, A Better Tomorrow was one of the first films ever to feature this famous pistol, which had been on the civilian market for less than a year at the time of filming.
Mark Lee (
Chow Yun-Fat) dual-wielding Beretta 92F pistols during the shootout in the Taiwanese restaurant.
Mark Lee (
Chow Yun-Fat) using a Beretta 92F during the shootout in the Taiwanese restaurant.
Mark tosses down his two empty pistols in the restaurant, before grabbing his hidden Beretta from a potted plant.
Shing's right-hand man holds his Beretta 92F. Couldn't ask for a better view of this gun.
In an incredibly rare scene (for
John Woo at least), Mark is seen making a mid-mag reload in the parking garage.
Kit runs out of ammo for his captured Beretta 92F.
Shing's right-hand man (
Shing Fui-On) on the right fires his Beretta. Fui-On would later play Wong Hoi in John Woo's
The Killer.
Ho (in the middle) holds the Beretta as he, Mark and Kit take cover.
Beretta 92SB
The Beretta 92SB is seen in the hands of Shing (Waise Lee) and a few of Triad gangsters throughout the film, and is identifiable by its rounded trigger guard, and modern Beretta grips (versus the older style grips of the original 92).
Beretta 92SB - 9x19mm (note rounded trigger guard and flat bottom magazine)
Shing holsters his 92SB. Despite the blurry image, note the rounded trigger guard.
In a continuity error, a Beretta 92SB instead of a 92F is seen in the hand of the Triad assassin who wounds Kit at the docks.
Smith & Wesson 39
Sung Tse-Ho (Ti Lung) carries a Smith & Wesson 39 pistol during the scenes set in Taiwan, and the gangster who betrays him also uses one during the restaurant shootout. Other Triad members use this pistol during the shootout in the parking garage and at the docks.
Smith & Wesson 39 - 9x19mm
Sung Tse-Ho (
Ti Lung) aims his S&W 39 before being captured by Taiwanese police.
The S&W 39 featured in the newspaper along with the story of Ho's capture.
One of the thugs wielding a S&W 39 during the restaurant shootout.
A Triad member's handgun is briefly visible as he gets shot in the parking garage.
Colt M1911A1
Many Colt M1911A1 variants show up in this film, seldom clearly enough to make an ID. Seen mostly in the hands of Triad gangsters.
World War II issued Colt M1911A1 pistol - .45 ACP
A good view of a thug wielding an M1911A1 in the restaurant.
A Triad gangster takes cover with his M1911A1.
Browning Hi-Power
The Browning Hi-Power is relatively common in early John Woo films. When Mark is engaged in a shootout in the restaurant, one of his Berettas turns into a Browning. Later Mark is seen dual-wielding the Browning alongside his Beretta while taking a data tape.
Classic commercial Browning Hi-Power - 9x19mm
In a continuity error, one of Mark Lee's Beretta handguns turns into a Browning Hi-Power during the shootout in the restaurant.
Mark tosses down his two empty pistols in the restaurant, before grabbing his hidden Beretta from a potted plant. The one on top appears to be a Browning.
Mark Lee (
Chow Yun-Fat) holding Triad gangsters at gunpoint with a Browning Hi-Power and a Beretta pistol while taking a tape of important counterfeiting data.
Another shot of Mark dual-wielding a Browning Hi-Power and a Beretta 92F.
Colt Python
A nickel-plated Colt Python is used by Kit in the final shootout.
Colt Python - .357 Magnum
Kit picks up the Colt Python.
Kit holds the Colt Python.
The Colt Python is fired.
Shotguns
Remington 870
The leader of Taiwanese gangsters fires what appears to be a Remington 870 when he betrays Ho and Shing. Mark also uses this shotgun when he returns to rescue Ho and Kit in the finale.
The gangster takes his shotgun when he prepares to kill Ho.
The gangster fires his shotgun.
Submachine Guns
Heckler & Koch MP5A3
A Heckler & Koch MP5A3 submachine gun, with a slimline handguard and an early straight magazine, is initially used by Ho in the final shootout at the docks.
1980s type Heckler & Koch MP5A3 with neoprene handguard and straight magazine - 9x19mm
A Heckler & Koch MP5A3, using an early straight magazine, is carried by Ho (
Ti Lung) in the final shootout.
Ho holds Triad boss Shing hostage with an MP5A3 and a Beretta pistol.
Ho holds Triad boss Shing hostage with an MP5A3 and a Beretta pistol. This shot makes it easy to see the old style slimline handguard.
Ho points the MP5A3 at Shing.
Ho dual-wields the MP5A3 and the Beretta.
Mini Uzi
The Mini Uzi is notably seen in the hands of Mark in the final shootout.
Mini Uzi with stock folded - 9x19mm
Mark points the Mini Uzi at Shing as he and Ho drive to the docks.
Mark Lee (
Chow Yun-Fat) carries a Mini Uzi with a folded stock during the final shootout.
For the second time in the film, Mark reloads a weapon (a rare sight in John Woo films), this time after running dry on his Mini Uzi.
MAC-10
The MAC-10 is used by the Triad boss Shing (Waise Lee) during the final shootout.
Ingram MAC-10 open bolt submachine gun - .45 ACP
A MAC-10 is pointed at Kit (
Leslie Cheung) during a Mexican standoff. Later the same MAC-10 is used by the Triad boss Shing (
Waise Lee).
In a continuity error, Mark uses the MAC-10 instead of a Mini Uzi.
Shing fires the MAC-10 at Kit.
Shing on the left fires the MAC-10 at Mark.
Rifles
M16A1
M16A1 rifles are carried by police officers when Ho is captured in Taiwan. Some Triad gangsters are also armed with M16A1 rifles during the final shootout at the docks, although they are not seen very clearly.
M16A1 with 20 round magazine - 5.56x45mm
Taiwanese police officers with their M16A1 rifles.
Triad gangsters hold Kit captive with their M16A1 rifles.
See Also