God of Gamblers

Infobox Film
name = God of Gamblers


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director = Wong Jing
producer =
writer = Wong Jing
narrator =
starring = Chow Yun-Fat
Andy Lau
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distributor = Win's Movie Production & I/E Co. Ltd.
released =
runtime = 126 min
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language = Cantonese
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amg_id =
imdb_id = 0097244

"God of Gamblers" (zh-tsp|t=賭神|s=赌神|p=Dǔshén; lit. "God of Gambling") is a 1989 Hong Kong drama-comedy-action film written and directed by Wong Jing. In Hong Kong, it grossed HK$37,058,686.

ynopsis

Chow Yun-Fat plays Ko Chun, an extremely talented gambler who can guess how the dice will turn out by listening to them rattle in a cup. On the eve of a big confrontation with a famous Singaporean gambler, Ko walks into a trap set by Knife, an avid but a so-so gambler (Andy Lau), meant for an Indian servant. Struck on the head, Ko suffers from amnesia and regresses to a child-like state. Knife, not knowing who Ko is, takes him in and gives him a name, Chocolate, since Ko now has an over-obsessive love for chocolate. As soon as he recognizes Ko's talents begins to exploit his abilities. This invites further trouble and trauma for Ko leading up to a big finale. Ko's bodyguard Dragon arrives after tracking him down to protect him from thugs who tried to kill him. After a fierce gun-battle in which Ko killed all his enemies, he became horrified and ran out into the street where he was struck by a vehicle. Moments later at the hospital, Knife came to visit him only to learn Ko have no memory of him and was thrown out by security to his dismay. Meanwhile, Ko Chun's driver helps the Singaporean gambler by giving him glasses that can see dots on cards (which tells him if it's a King, Queen, Jack,or Ace). During the big showdown, Ko Chun loses 2 rounds and during the last round, fools the Singaporean gambler thus winning all of the money. Then, the Singaporean gambler is sent to jail because he misunderstandingly shot Ko Chun's driver. In the end, Ko Chun remembers Knife and takes him to Las Vegas to gamble.

Cast

* Chow Yun-Fat as (高进/赌神)Ko Chun(The God of Gamblers) / Chocolate
* Andy Lau as (陈刀仔)Michael Chan/Knife/Dagger
* Charles Heung as (龙五)Lung Wu/Dragon
* Joey Wong as (珍)Jane/Jen
* Sharla Cheung as Janet
* Ng Man-Tat as (花口成) Brother Shing
* Lung Fong as (高义)Ko Yee
* Michiko Nishiwaki
* Wong Jing (cameo)

equels, spin-offs and parodies

The success of the film spawned many parodies and spin-offs such as "All for the Winner" starring Stephen Chow. Several more comedy-driven sequels also starring Stephen Chow were released, as well as a sequel where Chow Yun-Fat reprises his role as Ko Chun.

"God of Gamblers" series:
* "God of Gamblers" (1989)
* "God of Gamblers II" (1991) - This film continues where the original "God of Gamblers" storyline left off. This time, Andy Lau's character teams up with Stephen Chow's character from "All for the Winner". Chow Yun-Fat did not return for this film, but his "God of Gambler" character did show up for a brief cameo appearance using archive footage.
* "" (1991) - The film is the sequel to "God of Gamblers II". Only several characters from "God of Gamblers II" returned for this sequel.
* "God of Gamblers Returns" (1994) - Also released under the name "God of Gamblers 2" (but not "God of Gamblers II") this is the 'true' sequel to the original "God of Gamblers" film, with Chow Yun-Fat back to reprise his role as the God of Gamblers.
* "" (1996) - A markedly unsuccessful prequel of the original "God of Gamblers", starring Leon Lai as Ko Chun. It may be assumed that this is a reboot to the God of Gamblers series because of the inconsistencies with the previously established story of God of Gamblers e.g. Ko Chun and his bodyguard, meet for the very first time in the first film and therefore should not know each other in this prequel.

Spin-offs:
* "All for the Winner" (1990) - Stephen Chow is the Saint of Gamblers in this popular "God of Gamblers" parody.
* "Fist of Fury 1991" (1991) - Stephen Chow's Saint of Gamblers character does a brief cameo appearance at the start of this film.
* "The Top Bet" (1991) - This is a spin-off of "All for the Winner", with only several characters from the original reprising their role. Stephen Chow did, however, make a cameo appearance in this spin-off. The film stars Anita Mui and Carol Cheng.
* "Fight Back to School 3" (1993) - Stephen Chow's character visits Mr. Hung, the 'King of Gamblers' from "All for the Winner" to gain some gambling tips.
* "Saint of Gamblers" (1996) - A spin-off of the "All for the Winner" series, with only Ng Man-Tat reprising his role.

External links

*imdb title|id=0097244|title=God of Gamblers