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R E V I E W
The Private Eyes
Universe / 1976 / 96 minutes
Directed by Michael Hui Koon-Man
Written by Michael Hui Koon-ManWith Michael Hui, Sam Hui, Ricky Hui
B A C K G R O U N D : director, in cinemas, recent and related films
Michael Hui Koon-Man was a television star who made the transition to films in 1974 with Games Gamblers Play, the #1 box office success that year in Hong Kong (outgrossing American films The Sting, Papillon, and The Exorcist). His next film, The Last Message, was also a financial success, finishing #2 in the overall box office for 1975 (beaten by The Towering Inferno). His usage of Cantonese for its comedic effects is said to have led to its becoming the main cinematic language in Hong Kong thereafter.
This film was released in Hong Kong cinemas in December 1976, ran for 30 days, and grossed HK $8.5 million. That was enough to place it #1 in the box office for the year.
Michael Hui Koon-Man continued to make popular comedies throughout the 1970's and 1980's. (Yes, that was him with Jackie Chan as the Japanese drivers in the two Cannonball Run films.) These include Security Unlimited in 1981, Teppanyaki in 1984, Chicken and Duck Talk in 1988, and The Magic Touch in 1992. His younger brother Sam broke off in the early 1980's and made the equally successful Aces Go Places series of action-comedies.
M O V I E : plot, performances, production, rating
Plot: Seldom has a plot mattered less. It's about an aspiring detective, Lee Kwok Kit, who comes to work for a detective agency run by Wong Yuk See and the comic adventures that ensue.
Performances: In most American comedies a straight man sets up the joikes for the funny man. But here everyone remains straight-faced and most get to share in the jokes. Michael Hui Koon-Man plays the earnest Wong Yuk See with dignity slightly askew. Sam Hui Goon Git is Lee Kwok Kit and displays dexterity beyond the call of duty. Ricky Hui Goon Ying plays Wong Yuk See's dutiful yet put-upon assistant with crack timing. Richard Ng Yiu-Hon plays a police officer, and Shih Kien is the leader of the bad guys.
Production: What matters here are the situations that are set-ups for the broad comedy of the Hui brothers. Michael Hui's direction does a very good job of staging the visual gags (I especially liked the 'exercising chicken') and doesn't distract during the verbal jokes. Sam Hui's catchy pop songs also serve as a bit of social commentary. Sammo Hung Kam Bo served as action director, and the few fighting scenes hold up quite well.
Rating: Category II. Some mild fighting scenes.
D V D : look, sound, subtitles, features
Look: The letterboxed (approximately 2.35:1) presentation looks about as good as can be expected for a 1976 production. The source print looks quite worn in places, with abundant scratches, nicks, and tears. Colors look fairly vibrant, and black levels are sufficiently deep.
Sound: I listened to the remastered DD 5.1 Cantonese audio track, and it sounded fine. Some of the audio that has been created for the surround channels sounds a bit hollow, but mostly the audio remains with the center channel. Also provided is a DD 5.1 Mandarin version.
Subtitles: The white removable English subtitles are easy to read and well timed. Also included are traditional and simplified Chinese subtitles.
Features: Eight chapters can be selected from a video capture menu. "Stars' files" are provided for Michael Hui and Sam Hui. The film's original theatrical trailer is included, as are the priceless, time-capsule trailers for Games Gamblers Play, The Last Message, The Contract, and Teppanyaki.
R E C O M M E N D A T I O N : buy, rent, or pass?
Buy. Essential viewing to understand the roots of HK film comedy during subsequent years. More importantly for modern viewers, it's a funny and enjoyable viewing experience.
(Reviewed 08/27/01)
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