John Woo
John Woo

John Woo

Born: September 22, 1946 (79 years)
Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China

John Woo Yu-Sen SBS (born September 22, 1946) is a Hong Kong film director and producer. Recognized for his stylised films of highly choreographed action sequences, Mexican standoffs, and use of slow-motion, Woo has directed several notable Hong Kong action films, among them, A Better Tomorrow, The Killer, Hard Boiled and Red Cliff. His Hollywood films include Hard Target, Broken Arrow, Face/Off and Mission: Impossible 2. He also created the comic series Seven Brothers, published by Virgin Comics. Woo was described by Dave Kehr in The Observer in 2002 as "arguably the most influential director making movies today". Woo cites his three favorite films as David Lean's Lawrence of Arabia, Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai, and Jean-Pierre Melville's Le Samouraï.

TV Shows Directed (1)
Movies as Actor (50)
The King of Wuxia Part 2

The King of Wuxia Part 2

as Self

Oct 28, 2022

The King of Wuxia Part 1

The King of Wuxia Part 1

as Self

Oct 24, 2022

Life in 24 Frames a Second

Life in 24 Frames a Second

as Self

Jun 26, 2021

John Travolta, le miraculé d'Hollywood

John Travolta, le miraculé d'Hollywood

as Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)

Mar 19, 2017

Ken San

Ken San

as Self

Aug 20, 2016

Beginning of the Great Revival

Beginning of the Great Revival

as Lin Sen

Jun 23, 2011

Kurosawa's Way

Kurosawa's Way

as Self

May 13, 2011

The Founding of a Republic

The Founding of a Republic

as Liu Wenhui, National Army Officers

Sep 17, 2009

How Bruce Lee Changed the World

How Bruce Lee Changed the World

as Self

May 17, 2009

Team-Up: John Woo and Shinji Aramaki

Team-Up: John Woo and Shinji Aramaki

Mar 11, 2008

The Making of Hard Boiled

The Making of Hard Boiled

Jul 24, 2007

The Making of Stranglehold

The Making of Stranglehold

Jun 22, 2007

A Century of Light and Shadow

A Century of Light and Shadow

as Self

Jan 1, 2005

Crossings: John Woo

Crossings: John Woo

as Self

Jun 20, 2004

Chop Socky: Cinema Hong Kong

Chop Socky: Cinema Hong Kong

as Self

Oct 4, 2003

The Master: Chang Cheh Documentary

The Master: Chang Cheh Documentary

Jun 4, 2003

The Life and Times of Wu Zhong Xian

The Life and Times of Wu Zhong Xian

as As himself

Apr 1, 2003

Cinema Hong Kong: Wu Xia

Cinema Hong Kong: Wu Xia

as Self

Jan 2, 2003

Cinema Hong Kong: Kung Fu

Cinema Hong Kong: Kung Fu

as Self

Jan 1, 2003

The Art of Action: Martial Arts in the Movies

The Art of Action: Martial Arts in the Movies

as Self - Interviewee

Jun 1, 2002

Mission: Improbable

Mission: Improbable

as John Woo

Jun 2, 2001

Kurosawa: The Last Emperor

Kurosawa: The Last Emperor

as Self

Jan 1, 1999

Yang ± Yin: Gender in Chinese Cinema

Yang ± Yin: Gender in Chinese Cinema

as Self

Jun 4, 1998

Task Force

Task Force

as Police Chief

Nov 13, 1997

Cinema of Vengeance

Cinema of Vengeance

as Self (uncredited)

Jan 1, 1994

Film ohne Fesseln - Das neue Hongkong Kino

Film ohne Fesseln - Das neue Hongkong Kino

as Self

Jan 1, 1993

Hard Boiled

Hard Boiled

as Mr. Woo

Apr 16, 1992

Twin Dragons

Twin Dragons

as Priest

Jan 15, 1992

The Banquet

The Banquet

as Man on Stairs

Nov 30, 1991

Once a Thief

Once a Thief

as Stanley Wu

Feb 2, 1991

Rebel from China

Rebel from China

as Kwong

Oct 25, 1990

Bullet in the Head

Bullet in the Head

as Policeman

Aug 17, 1990

Sunset in Paris

Sunset in Paris

as Maggie's uncle

Jun 14, 1989

Starry Is the Night

Starry Is the Night

as Father Fan

Oct 13, 1988

I Love Maria

I Love Maria

Mar 10, 1988

The Thirty Million Dollar Rush

The Thirty Million Dollar Rush

as Ling's Husband

Jul 2, 1987

A Better Tomorrow

A Better Tomorrow

as Inspector Wu

Aug 2, 1986

Love, Lone Flower

Love, Lone Flower

Jun 22, 1985

Happy Union 2

Happy Union 2

Jan 1, 1985

Plain Jane to the Rescue

Plain Jane to the Rescue

as Self

Oct 21, 1982

From Riches to Rags

From Riches to Rags

as [cameo]

Jul 10, 1980

Itchy Fingers

Itchy Fingers

as Triad Boss on Lorry

Jan 26, 1979

Follow the Star

Follow the Star

as Miss Chen's Father

Feb 4, 1978

Hand of Death

Hand of Death

as Zhang Yi

Jul 15, 1976

Young Lovers on Flying Wheels

Young Lovers on Flying Wheels

as Man at Bike Reclaim Centre

Sep 20, 1974

The Young Dragons

The Young Dragons

as Message Deliverer

Jul 25, 1974

The Mandarin

The Mandarin

Jun 28, 1973

Dead Knot

Dead Knot

as Boy

Jun 1, 1969

Accidentally

Accidentally

as Young Man

Jan 1, 1968

Twist & Shoot: Mister Suzuki

Twist & Shoot: Mister Suzuki

as Self

Movies as Crew (68)
The Killer

The Killer

Producer, Original Film Writer

Aug 22, 2024

Silent Night

Silent Night

Producer

Nov 30, 2023

A Better Tomorrow

A Better Tomorrow

Original Story

Jan 18, 2018

Manhunt

Manhunt

Writer

Nov 19, 2017

Breaking the Waves

Breaking the Waves

Executive Producer

Mar 14, 2014

Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale

Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale

Producer

May 10, 2012

Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale - Part 2: The Rainbow Bridge

Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale - Part 2: The Rainbow Bridge

Producer

Sep 30, 2011

Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale - Part 1: The Sun Flag

Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale - Part 1: The Sun Flag

Producer

Sep 9, 2011

Color Me Love

Color Me Love

Producer

Oct 28, 2010

A Better Tomorrow

A Better Tomorrow

Executive Producer, Screenplay, Original Story

Sep 16, 2010

Reign of Assassins

Reign of Assassins

Producer

Sep 1, 2010

My Fair Gentleman

My Fair Gentleman

Producer

Sep 28, 2009

Red Cliff II

Red Cliff II

Screenplay, Producer

Jan 7, 2009

Red Cliff

Red Cliff

Screenplay, Producer

Jul 10, 2008

Appleseed: Ex Machina

Appleseed: Ex Machina

Producer

Oct 19, 2007

Blood Brothers

Blood Brothers

Producer

Aug 16, 2007

The Making of Stranglehold

The Making of Stranglehold

Producer

Jun 22, 2007

Paycheck

Paycheck

Producer

Dec 25, 2003

Bulletproof Monk

Bulletproof Monk

Producer

Mar 28, 2003

Red Skies

Red Skies

Executive Producer

Aug 7, 2002

Windtalkers

Windtalkers

Producer

Jun 7, 2002

Blackjack

Blackjack

Producer

Jun 11, 1998

The Big Hit

The Big Hit

Executive Producer

Apr 24, 1998

The Replacement Killers

The Replacement Killers

Executive Producer, Choreographer

Feb 6, 1998

Somebody Up There Likes Me

Somebody Up There Likes Me

Producer

Apr 20, 1996

Don't Cry, Nanking

Don't Cry, Nanking

Producer

Sep 14, 1995

Peace Hotel

Peace Hotel

Executive Producer

Apr 12, 1995

Hard Boiled

Hard Boiled

Editor, Story

Apr 16, 1992

Once a Thief

Once a Thief

Screenplay, Story

Feb 2, 1991

Bullet in the Head

Bullet in the Head

Producer, Editor, Writer

Aug 17, 1990

A Better Tomorrow III: Love and Death in Saigon

A Better Tomorrow III: Love and Death in Saigon

Producer

Oct 20, 1989

The Killer

The Killer

Screenplay

Mar 24, 1989

A Better Tomorrow II

A Better Tomorrow II

Writer

Dec 17, 1987

A Better Tomorrow

A Better Tomorrow

Writer

Aug 2, 1986

Ghost Bustin

Ghost Bustin

Producer

Jul 13, 1985

Love, Lone Flower

Love, Lone Flower

Producer

Jun 22, 1985

Super Citizen

Super Citizen

Producer

Apr 1, 1985

Run Tiger Run

Run Tiger Run

Producer

Feb 15, 1985

Happy Union 2

Happy Union 2

Producer

Jan 1, 1985

Heroes Shed No Tears

Heroes Shed No Tears

Producer, Writer

Nov 30, 1984

Happy Union

Happy Union

Producer

Jul 7, 1984

Plain Jane to the Rescue

Plain Jane to the Rescue

Screenplay

Oct 21, 1982

To Hell with the Devil

To Hell with the Devil

Writer

Apr 8, 1982

The Idiot Assassin

The Idiot Assassin

Producer

Jan 1, 1981

Laughing Times

Laughing Times

Screenplay

Dec 24, 1980

From Riches to Rags

From Riches to Rags

Writer

Jul 10, 1980

Last Hurrah for Chivalry

Last Hurrah for Chivalry

Writer

Nov 22, 1979

Hello, Late Homecomers

Hello, Late Homecomers

Screenplay

Nov 16, 1978

Follow the Star

Follow the Star

Writer, Screenplay

Feb 4, 1978

Money Crazy

Money Crazy

Screenplay

Jul 28, 1977

The Private Eyes

The Private Eyes

Producer

Dec 16, 1976

Hand of Death

Hand of Death

Screenplay

Jul 15, 1976

Princess Chang-Ping

Princess Chang-Ping

Screenplay

Jan 30, 1976

The Dragon Tamers

The Dragon Tamers

Writer

Mar 15, 1975

The Young Dragons

The Young Dragons

Writer

Jul 25, 1974

The Devils

The Devils

Assistant Director

Dec 31, 1973

Fist to Fist

Fist to Fist

Assistant Director

Sep 1, 1973

The Mandarin

The Mandarin

Second Unit

Jun 28, 1973

Blood Brothers

Blood Brothers

Assistant Director

Feb 24, 1973

Four Riders

Four Riders

Assistant Director

Dec 22, 1972

Young People

Young People

Assistant Director

Jul 7, 1972

The Water Margin

The Water Margin

Assistant Director

Mar 17, 1972

The Boxer from Shantung

The Boxer from Shantung

Assistant Director

Feb 11, 1972

Begging

Begging

Thanks

May 27, 1970

The Ruthless Heart

The Ruthless Heart

Story

Jan 1, 1970

Dead Knot

Dead Knot

Writer, Producer, Editor

Jun 1, 1969

Accidentally

Accidentally

Writer, Editor

Jan 1, 1968

Better Tomorrow

Better Tomorrow

Original Film Writer