Thunderbolt

Thunderbolt
Hong Kong film poster
Directed by	Gordon Chan
Produced by	Lam Chua Jackie Chan Leonard Ho
Written by	Gordon Chan Chan Hing-Kai Kwok Wai Chung
Starring	Jackie Chan Anita Yuen Michael Wong Thorsten Nickel
Music by	Jackie Chan
Cinematography	Chan Kwong-hung Cheng Siu-Keung Kwan Chi-kan Andy Lam Lam Hung Chuen Wong Wing-hung
Editing by	Chan Ki-hop Cheung Ka-Fai Peter Cheung Ng Wang Hung
Distributed by	A Golden Harvest Presentation (Hong Kong)
Release date(s)	1 September 1995 (Hong Kong)
Running time	108 min.
Country	Hong Kong
Language	Cantonese English

Thunderbolt (traditional Chinese: 霹靂火) (Piklik Foh) is a 1995 Hong Kong action film, directed by Gordon Chan and starring Jackie Chan. In some early North American releases, it was known as Dead Heat.

The film is set around the world of racing. The film is also multi-lingual with characters speaking Cantonese, English and Japanese interchangeably. Because Jackie had injured his leg during the shooting of Rumble in the Bronx he was unable to perform some of the stunts. During the fight-scene at the Japanese arcade he was forced to use a stunt-double for the wideshots.

Plot

Foh (Jackie Chan) is a mechanic and part time racing car driver, playing the Good Samaritan for the police force by helping them to apprehend a dangerous criminal named Cougar (Thorsten Nickel) by means of a car chase. The criminal soon breaks free however and takes revenge on Foh by trashing his business and home and kidnapping his two younger sisters. The only way Foh can free them is by taking part in a race with Cougar a rematch after the criminal's earlier defeat.

Trivia

Lists of miscellaneous information should be avoided. Please relocate any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. (January 2009)

On the back of his shirt, Chan's coach (played by Yūzō Kayama) had the name "Jackie Chan", rather than the character name "Chan Foh To". In the Hong Kong version of the film, towards the climax, Kayama also calls out the name "Jackie". In the U.S Version, this is dubbed as "Alfred".

Box office

Despite generally poor reviews, Thunderbolt was a box office hit in Hong Kong, grossing HK $45,647,210 in its theatrical run.

Cast and roles

• Jackie Chan - Chan Foh To (Alfred Tung in US version)
• Anita Yuen - Amy Yip
• Michael Wong - Steve Cannon
• Thorsten Nickel - Warner 'Cougar' Kaugman
• Chor Yuen - Foh's father (Alfred's father in US version)
• Wu Oi-Yan - Dai Mui (Daphne in US version)
• Man Chung-Han - Sai Mui (Sammi in US version)
• Yūzō Kayama - Coach
• Kenya Sawada - Saw
• Ken Lo - Kong
• Wong Chi Wah - Mr. Lam
• Chin Kar Lok - Assistant to Coach
• Corey Yuen - The Doctor
• Marie Eguro - Miss Kenya
• Yung Kam-Cheong - Cheong, mechanic
• William Tuen - Koo
• Bruce Law - Bruce
• Patrick Han - John
• Lam Wai-Kong - Inspector Cheung (Joe in US version)
• Shing Fui-On - Illegal racer
• Paul Rapovski - Kong's gang member #1
• Michael Ian Lambert - Kong's gang member #2
• Tom Lent (voice)
• Annie Man- Xiao Mei
• Stephen Fung (uncredited)
• Blackie Ko - Mechanic (uncredited)
• Ailen Sit - Bribing thug (uncredited)
• Wong Ming-Sing - Police officer (uncredited)

Awards and nominations

• 1995 Golden Horse Film Festival
  • Winner: Best Action Direction (Corey Yuen)

• 1996 Hong Kong Film Awards
  • Nomination: Best Action Choreography

Vehicles and tracks used

In the closing credits, there is an apology to racers injured during filming. Real race drivers from different countries volunteered to travel and participate in the racing sequences.

During the film, Chan crashes a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 3 and receives a Mitsubishi GTO as a replacement. The film also features the Mitsubishi HSR concept car. Filming took place on several race track locations, including Japan's Sendai circuit and the Batu Tiga Circuit, Shah Alam, Malaysia.

See also

• Jackie Chan filmography
• List of Hong Kong films

External links

• Thunderbolt at the Internet Movie Database
• Thunderbolt at Allmovie