Product Description

A serial rapist is on the loose. A young retarded woman becomes the victim and the only witness of this perverse criminal. Will justice be served or will the suspect be set free? Studio: Tai Seng Entertainment Release Date: 12/04/2001 Starring: Lily Chung Money Lo Run time: 91 minutes Rating: Nr Director: Billy Tang

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #75806 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-12-04
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: Cantonese
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 96 minutes

Customer Reviews

Graphic rape-horror tests audience endurance to the limit
Though Chinese cinema has always demonstrated a morbid fascination with violence and bloodshed - from the vintage horror films of Maxu Weibang through to Chang Cheh's splattery kung fu pictures of the 1970's - it wasn't until the early 90's that Hong Kong horror movies secured their strongest foothold within mainstream culture. Following the unexpected success of gruesome 'true crime' dramas "Dr. Lamb" (Giu Cheung Yee Sang, 1992) and "The Untold Story" (Baat Faan Dim Ji Yan Yuk Cha Siu Baau, 1993) - both helmed by Danny Lee Sau-yin (Chow Yun-fat's cop nemesis in John Woo's "The Killer") - the former colony was subsequently deluged by a wave of confrontational 'Category III' (Adults Only) movies, spearheaded by the work of controversial director Billy Tang Hin-shing. Already notorious for a scene in "Run and Kill" (Woo Sue Gei Mat Dong Ngon, 1993) in which a little boy is burned alive in merciless detail, Tang proceeded to scale the heights of calculated outrage with "Red to Kill" (Yeuk Saai, 1994), arguably one of the most harrowing films ever made.

Orphaned by the sudden death of her parents, a mentally handicapped young woman (Lily Chung Suk-wai) is remanded to the care of a hostel for the disabled, where she falls prey to 'kindly' caretaker Ben Ng Ngai-cheung, a musclebound hulk whose charming demeanor belies his true nature: Traumatized by a childhood incident in which his mother slaughtered his father and brother with a meatcleaver, drenching him in blood, Ng's murderous psychosis is triggered by the color red, resulting in horrific explosions of rape and murder. Unable to control himself when confronted by Chung wearing a long scarlet dress, Ng assaults her and is promptly arrested, but his indictment is later dismissed on a technicality, and the three main characters (including Money Lo Man-yee as a sympathetic social worker) converge on the workshop beneath the hostel for a climactic showdown which closes proceedings on a note of screaming hysteria.

Judged alongside similar Asian atrocities, such as "Men Behind the Sun" (Hak Taai Yeung 731, 1987) or the infamous "Guinea Pig" (Za Ginipiggu) series from Japan, "Red to Kill" is either a fearless challenge to established cinematic limits or a reckless descent into the abyss, depending on your point of view. Photographed with stunning visual flair by Tony Mau Gin-fai and expertly edited by Choi Hung, the movie alternates scenes of naive sentimentality with eruptions of graphic horror, taking time to establish Chung's beauty and innocence before unleashing the forces of hell against her. But while Chung and Lo are dignified in adversity, Ng plays the villain as an unstoppable force of nature, literally throbbing with uncontrollable rage - his descent into complete psychosis during the hair-raising finale provokes a devastating rampage which is truly frightening to behold. Unsurprisingly, Ng has been typecast in villainous roles ever since.

But the filmmakers' bravura technique, coupled with an obstinate lack of moral restraint, makes it difficult to defend the film's worst excesses. The protracted rape scenes are designed as a visual spectacle, showcasing the humiliation of vulnerable female characters with all the subtlety of a leering freak show. Worse still, following the sexual assault on Chung which constitutes the movie's pivotal set-piece, the actress is involved in a shocking episode of self-mutilation which not only degrades the entire production, but seems deliberately contrived to test viewers' patience to breaking point. However, despite its questionable motives, the film is executed with such breathtaking cinematic gusto, it compels attention in a way that few other horror movies have managed before or since. Director Tang continued his one-man assault on the boundaries of taste and decency with popular potboilers like "Brother of Darkness" (Tai Tin Hang Diy Ji Saai Fong, 1994) and "Sexy and Dangerous" (Goo Waak Lui Ji Kuet Chin Kong Woo, 1996) before going 'legit' with a number of socially conscious dramas, beginning with "Chinese Midnight Express" (Hak Yuk Duen Cheung Goh Ji [Chai Sang Jue Yuk], 1997), featuring Ben Ng and "Hard-Boiled"s Tony Leung Chiu-wai.

This review is based on a viewing of the original Hong Kong DVD, released by Ocean Shores, which runs 90m 59s and is letterboxed at 1.70:1, with permanent Chinese/English subtitles and a choice of soundtracks - the original Cantonese, or a Mandarin alternative - presented in 2.1 mono sound. Most of these features are retained on Tai Seng's US release (on the Universe label), with the added bonus of removable subtitles. Most significantly, however, Universe credits a 95m running time on their packaging which, if true, suggests that Ocean Shores' uncut print was derived from a PAL master at 25fps (94m 46s at 24fps).

unforgiving in every respect
First of all, let me tell you, this is NOT a date movie. This is the most brutal graphic rape movie I have ever seen, and also one that lingers in your mind long after it is over. For me, that's exactly what I want when I see a movie, one that leaves a lasting impression no matter how difficult the impression might be. I loved this movie, because it is very very well made, and the acting performances are incredible. Yes, the rapes are unforgiving in every respect, and the misery throughout the film is almost difficult to watch at times. This is not a gory movie, except for the last ten minutes, it is a very disturbing movie and it does have a fair amount of nudity, however it really needs to. "The Untold Story" and "Ebola Syndrome" offset much of the carnage with humor, but "Red to Kill" has absolutely NOTHING to smile about. It is totally and brutally serious from the first frame to the extremely nasty ending. The story is pretty simple, a psycho-rapist is on the loose and he's going after a mentally retarded young dancer. In the second graphic rape of the movie he does the deed to the young lady. Enter a female social worker who tries to help the victim, and dreams up a plan to get even with the rapist after he gets off in court because of a stupid technicality. Her plan succeeds to a certain extent, but not like she planned it, and the rapist comes after her full force. The actor who plays the rapist is absolutely sensational, and I might add, the musical score is perfect. The music adds so much to the all ready existing tension from all the horrific acts. The actress who plays the retarded girl is also amazing, one of the best performances on film you will ever see. To end this, this is a must-see movie for fans of this genre, and I'm just getting started myself. Not the gore associated with the two previous Cat III movies I watched, but something even more terrible and unrelenting, and an uneasy feeling that will not leave you anytime soon after you see it. "Red to Kill" is flatout a good movie, even considering the subject matter. I highly recommend it.

Pretty Good, Graphic and Unforgiving
I have to agree with the previous reviewer who said that the graphic rape seens are brutal, unforgiving, and rewarding in every way for the sick-minded among us. However, I also agree with the person who said this doesn't get near the "Irreversible" category of permanent damage to the victims. The plot is pretty bizarre, but if you can swallow that, you may be in for a treat.