Pedicab Driver (1989) - Sammo's Best Movie?

[ShaOW!linDude]

Cheers for the links ShaOW!linDude, just in case you're interested in picking them up yourself though, these are bootlegs and not official releases, much like the only DVD version of 'Pedicab Driver' that's out there.

I don't have Blade of Fury (well, on vhs) but I do Pantyhose Hero. I kind of figured it was a boot. The copy's good though.

[blue_skies]

The last time I watched this was a awful quality YouTube video completely forgetting that I recorded this off Film Four years ago while they were still advert free onto a VHS tape and transferred to DVD.

the picture quality isn't that bad, nothing to shout about and apparently better than the red sun release. Letterbox widescreen with some fairly good English subtitles.

I wouldn't call Pedicab Driver Sammo's best as that would probably fall to Dragon's Forever, Eastern Condors, Knockabout or The Prodigal Son in my opinion anyway.

[MLee]

massa_yoda: I'm sure I remember reading a thread with Pedicab Driver a while back. Somebody mentioned LKL did return to help Sammo. I can't recall who said that and if it is true or just a rumor.

[massa_yoda]

massa_yoda: I'm sure I remember reading a thread with Pedicab Driver a while back. Somebody mentioned LKL did return to help Sammo. I can't recall who said that and if it is true or just a rumor.

Ok, well I hope that is true in some extended cut...I swear that the version I saw did not have him coming back. But, I could also just not be remembering right. I haven't seen this in a while.

[Asmo]

I've never heard of it, but that actually makes sense.

[FrankBolte]

I read that too about LKL coming back... but.. maybe they had that idea but never actually did it..cos if you watch the end there are no cuts..so unless they filmed an alternate ending I doubt it.

[Drunken Monk]

I'm with the number of people who don't think "Pedicab Driver" is Sammo's best. Now, it's far form his worse and is actually a very enjoyable film, but I think he's put out much, much better work.

"Odd Couple" is possibly my favourite kung fu film and, therefore, is my favourite Sammo outing by default. It just has everything I want.

Odd though, I'm a huge fan of "Encounters of the Spooky Kind." I just wish I could get my hands on the sequel.

[66 Mantis]

I didn't even think Pedicab was all that good, no less one of Sammo's best. For me, Sammo's top film would either be Prodigal Son or Eastern Condors with Dragons Forever in 3rd and then followed by The Victim, Warriors Two and The Odd Couple (probably in that order). Pedicab wouldn't even make my Top 10.

[MLee]

Maybe it's just me but I'm judging a movie when I'm watching it to see Sammo. When he's acting and when he's fighting. I'm not thinking of ones he directed with somebody else in the main lead while he's a co star. Prodigal Son I'm watching to see Yuen Biao and Lam Ching Ying. Warriors Two for Beardy and Casanova. Dragons Forever for Jackie vs Benny the Jet. The Victim for Beardy and Chang Yi. Pedicab Driver is my fav because I enjoyed it most for both his acting and fighting performance with him involved.

[Cognoscente]

Pedicab Driver should have been shown at the Cannes Film Festival.

[Cognoscente]

[Jizzmaster Jerry]

Just got the Amazon DVD of Pedicab Driver.  Watched it on YouTube many years ago and I wasn’t impressed.  But I didn’t completely hate it.  I always had it in the back of my mind to give it another chance one day on a TV, instead of a VHS tape on YouTube at 240p.  
 

First of all the pic quality is stunning.  Some speckling going on but a nice clear picture.  Watching on a 50 inch TV and I wasn’t expecting an Amazon DVDR of an 80’s Chinese movie to look above average.  

The movie is a lot better than I remember.  I’ve seen in 3 times now, twice in the last 2 days, and I’ve done a complete reversal.  Now I think this might be Sammo’s masterpiece.  It’s funny but there’s a lot of good dramatic and romantic scenes too, which makes all the tragedies that happen even more heartbreaking.  And the scene where Max Mok (who is so damn charming) saves his lady and goes to carry her down the stairs but he falls down the stairs.  I was losing my mind.  Sammo is a cruel bastard.  
 

The fights are good.  I’d much rather watch the fights in The Victim but this is top notch modern Sammo.  Disappointing that Chung Fa didn’t get his own fight.  And Eddie Maher’s fight was a bit weird.  He was getting bounced around more than fighting.  But there’s at least a few really good fights here.  Lau Kar Leung vs Sammo is perfection.  Probably the 2 best kung fu movie directors of all time fighting and giving it their all and showing how special this genre is.  
 

Edited May 18, 2023 by Jizzmaster Jerry

[ChillyChong]

I am not fan of Samo Hung when he does comedy(he is great in serious roles like yip man 2, spl, hand of death), I guess that partly explain why it took like 5-6 years to put Warner disc into player. Despite it has good reputation I found this one again on  dull side like some other Samo flicks. Lot drama and comedy and not that much kung fu

However Samo excels in those few action scenes that can be admitted. He vs Lau Kar Leung unarmed and then pole fighting is incredible. Best new fighting I have seen for a very long time. Ending is great too but pales in comparison to duel in casino. Movie has really nice music too.

Still haven`t bought Odd couple or skinny tiger eureka! blurays and no intention in near future but if unwatched shelf gets alarmingly empty may very well go for those. Maybe won`t like movies much as whole but can have faith action is certainly proper.

[DiP]

On 6/19/2023 at 11:00 PM, ChillyChong said:

I am not fan of Samo Hung when he does comedy(he is great in serious roles like yip man 2, spl, hand of death), I guess that partly explain why it took like 5-6 years to put Warner disc into player.

It has nothing to do with certain movie elements, that's subjective. Warner is Warner: Demanding very pricey commissions to sell their titles. They own several wanted Hong Kong movies that won't see the light unless they get paid greatly for it.

[Django]

Man I can't wait for this to get a proper Blu-Ray release