The Family Strikes Back
A mad scientist kidnaps victims; a martial artist goes undercover.
The Family Strikes Back is a 1986 Hong Kong action comedy directed, produced, and headlined by Dean Shek. The story follows a mad scientist who commands his henchmen to abduct people for his experiments. After a martial artist and his assistant intervene in one such kidnapping, a police inspector decides to recruit the martial artist as an undercover agent. His mission is to impersonate a Japanese associate of the villain.
Professor Kiu, a scientist driven insane by grief over his son’s death, orders his assistants to kidnap men and bring them to his laboratory, hidden in a shipping container aboard a vessel. Police Inspector Uncle Wah sends his men to gather evidence on the ship, but they find nothing. Shek La-mai, an acrobatic nightclub performer trained in martial arts since childhood, was once a Special Duties Unit commander but was dismissed from the police force on accusations of sadism. He now lives happily as a single father of three. One night, during his act, Shek and his protégé Lam Hong witness and stop a kidnapping by Kiu’s thugs, making them targets. Meanwhile, Uncle Wah notices Shek’s resemblance to a Japanese scientist named Toyota, who was in league with Kiu. Wah devises a plan for Shek to go undercover as Toyota to infiltrate Kiu’s lab and collect evidence.
The cast includes Dean Shek as Shek La-mai, Angile Leung, Kwan Tak-hing, Gigi Lai, Gary Young Lim, Lau Tat-sang, Roy Chiao as Professor Kiu, Lee Heung-kam, Cho Tat-wah as Uncle Wah, Pomson Shi, Helen Chan, Kam Shan, Hoi Sang Lee, Sai Gwa-Pau, Liu Chun-hung, Kingson Shek, Hui Ying-ying, Yiu Yau-hung, Wellington Fung, Teddy Chan, Lau Shung-fung, Lo Wing, Lo Hung, Wong Lai-ching, Fong Chow, Wonh Kin-chow, Pai Lan, Wong On-tung, Lim Chan, Lee Yan-fai, Robert Goodson, Barry Bullock, Don Ferguson, Jonathan Pine, Roy Stanton, Cliff Clark, and Chang Sing-kwong.
The film earned HK$7,229,517 at the Hong Kong box office during its theatrical run from 27 March to 9 April 1986.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Dean Shek
- Screenplay
- Edward Lee
- Starring
- Dean Shek / Anglie Leung / Kwan Tak-hing / Gigi Lai / Gary Young Lim / Lau Tat-sang / Roy Chiao / Lee Heung-kam / Cho Tat-wah
- Music
- Tony Lo
- Cinematography
- Henry Chan
- Editing
- Wong Ming-lam
- Studio
- Cinema City
- Released
- 27 March 1986
- Runtime
- 85 minutes
- Country
- Hong Kong
- Language
- Cantonese
- Gross
- HK$7,229,517
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The film's plot centers on Professor Kiu, a mad scientist who developed mental disorders from grieving the death of his son. Kiu orders his assistants to kidnap men to his lab, located in a private container on a vessel, for experiments. Police inspector Uncle Wah sends subordinates to gather evidence on the vessel but fails to find any. Shek La-mai, an acrobatic performer working in a nightclub, has practiced martial arts since childhood and was a former commander of the Special Duties Unit before being dismissed due to accusations of sadism. He is a single father of three children living a happy life. One night during his performance, Shek and his protege, Lam Hong, witness and intervene in a kidnapping incident by Kiu's henchmen, making them targets. Uncle Wah discovers Shek's resemblance to a Japanese scientist named Toyota, who colluded with Kiu, and formulates a plan for Shek to act undercover as Toyota to gather evidence from Kiu's lab.
Reader's Guide
The Family Strikes Back is a notable entry in Hong Kong action comedy cinema from 1986, showcasing Dean Shek's triple role as producer, director, and lead actor. The film blends martial arts, slapstick humor, and a mad scientist plot, reflecting the genre's popularity in the era. Its box office gross of HK$7,229,517 during a two-week theatrical run indicates moderate commercial success. The cast includes veteran actors such as Roy Chiao and Cho Tat-wah, adding depth to the ensemble. The film's premise of an undercover impersonation and its focus on a single father martial artist provide a unique narrative angle. While not a landmark film, it represents the creative output of Hong Kong's film industry in the mid-1980s, with Dean Shek's involvement highlighting his multifaceted contributions to cinema.
Did You Know?
- The film was produced, directed by, and starred Dean Shek.
- Shek La-mai was a former commander of the Special Duties Unit dismissed due to accusations of sadism.
- The film grossed HK$7,229,517 at the Hong Kong box office from 27 March to 9 April 1986.
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