“As far as action is concerned, Police Story is my favorite movie I’ve ever made…” – Jackie Chan

When the Royal Hong Kong Police Force attempt a major undercover sting, action, stunts and comedy combine to spectacular effect in this hugely influential Hong Kong crime classic. Written and directed by Jackie Chan - following his disappointment with the US produced The Protector (1985) - it confirmed Chan as a genuine Hong Kong superstar, showcasing his wide variety of skills both in front of and behind the camera at the glorious moment of his physical prime. Put concerns about plot and your critical faculties on hold. This is enormous fun.

One of those rare cases of a film's artistic execution wholly overcoming a typically limited story, the planning and sheer chutzpah that went into performing the stunts and comedy on show here is something truly admirable and the reason why Chan's film wins out so convincingly over its Hollywood counterparts. Indeed, so much glass was smashed in this film that the crew re-christened it ‘Glass Story’. And forget stunt doubles, it was Chan himself and his loyal crew performing all these breathtaking set pieces in which they really did suffer for their art (the closing credits show Chan and others being carried off set to hospital on numerous occasions). Amongst this particular maelstrom of destruction, that's what we call method acting! That, and it is just pretty damn cool.

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