Softwing
Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??
Pluskylang
Great Film overall
Sienna-Rose Mclaughlin
The movie really just wants to entertain people.
Viva_Chiba
The Untold Story is part of a sub-genre called Category III (abbreviated: CAT III), CAT III is a certificate given by the Hong Kong film censors to films that features extreme violence or excessive sexual content. The most notorious CAT III movies, are the ones made in Hong Kong. The Untold Story is based on an actual murder case that happened in Macau. Plot: Severed body parts are found at the Macau Bay, the police investigates and all the evidences leave to the "Eight Immortal restaurant", the cops suspects of Wong-Chi Hang, a man who escaped from Hong Kong after committing a gambling-related murder. The violence is taboo-breaking and bloody, the special effects are good, but i can't tell you how they are realistically shocking. The most sadistic scene is probably the one where Chi-Hang rapes and murders a woman, by shoving some chopsticks up her lower parts.... This movie features a excellent performance by Anthony Wong, as Wong Chi-Hang the serial killer, Anthony even won a best actor award for this movie (100% deserved !). Recommended for CAT III beginners or for who is tired of the same Hollywood "shocking movies".
northwindbrat
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.
DICK STEEL
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.
Matthew Jaworski
'The Untold Story' is purportedly based on a true story. If that is indeed the case, this film is one of the more horrifying endeavors I have had the pleasure to witness in all my years. Even if it is not, this still quite a film...Herman Yau directed this HK horror masterpiece masterfully. Anthony Wong (as Kai) gives one of the most convincing psycho performances I have ever encountered (at that's saying a lot)...The story is a relatively simple one (albeit very effective). At the outset, Kai and his boss have some sort of monetary dispute involving gambling and cheating. An argument ensues, at which point Kai than proceeds to go sickhouse, and kill the man... Fast forward 8 years...Kai is running a restaurant. Mysteriously, the previous owner and his family are nowhere to be found. As the police and various people begin to inquire about how Kai came into ownership of the restaurant, the questions begin to pile up (as do the missing bodies)...Kai, being witty as well as psychotic devises a clever and creative way to dispose of the various bodies that he has created. By the way, don't eat the 'pork buns'... Eventually the local police (who are portrayed as silly, Police Academy-esquire buffoons) become suspicious, leading to the arrest and eventual imprisonment of Kai. Torture and brutality ensue, culminating in a coerced confession presented beautifully and horrifically by Yau...Much has been made of the violent and wicked nature of this film. Perhaps I am jaded, but I did not find this film to be gratuitously violent. All of the violent and wicked acts depicted were in context, and served the purpose of showing what a monster Kai is..This may sound like a rather simple film. Plotwise it is. However, the story was well-constructed, and Yau's capable direction keep things moving forward engagingly so. This is a captivating and enthralling story, all the more incredible because it allegedly happened. If you love a good true crime/horror story (and are not of the squeamish variety), you will most likely find this to be a fascinating and well-done film...
