Behind Bars

Behind Bars

1990 · 86 min · Crime, Drama, TV Movie

A man serving a sentence for a white-collar crime navigates the thorny realities of prison life.

Directed by Johnnie To · Written by Choi Siu-Ning

Your Rating

Cast

Make it a double feature

2h 58m together

Behind Bars

A Moment of Romance

Both from Johnnie To.

More from Johnnie ToSee all →

New Heavenly Sword and Dragon SabreNew Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre · 1986
New Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre
★ 10.01986
SeriesAction & Adventure
New Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber. The series was first broadcast on TVB Jade in Hong Kong in 1986.
The Yang's SagaThe Yang's Saga · 1985
The Yang's Saga
★ 8.91985
SeriesAction & AdventureSci-Fi & Fantasy
The Yang's Saga is a 1985 Hong Kong miniseries based on a series of novels and plays titled Generals of the Yang Clan. The series is a grand production by the television station TVB. The original broadcast period on TVB Jade was from 23 to 28 September 1985, within the night time slot for Enjoy Yourself Tonight. Starring the Five Tiger Generals of TVB, the drama also featured the largest star-studded cast in Hong Kong television history, including many of the industry's current top award-winning global and cinematic stars.
The Legend of the Condor HeroesThe Legend of the Condor Heroes · 1983
The Legend of the Condor Heroes
★ 8.21983
SeriesDramaAction & Adventure
The Legend of the Condor Heroes is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel of the same title. It was first broadcast on TVB Jade in Hong Kong in 1983. The 59 episodes long series is divided into three parts. This 1983 version is considered by many to be a classic television adaptation of the novel and features the breakthrough role of Barbara Yung, who played Huang Rong.
What IfWhat If · 2025
What If
★ 7.82025
SeriesSci-Fi & Fantasy
Lok Chak-shun, a man who lives three different destinies shaped by his choices. Born prematurely in 1960s Hong Kong, he grows up passionate about comics. A school prank leads him to a fateful encounter with a mysterious girl, but a broken kite triggers a ripple in time, splitting his life into three divergent paths.
The MissionThe Mission · 1999
The Mission
★ 7.51999
MovieActionCrime
Triad boss Lung, who has just escaped being killed in an assassination attempt hires the killers Curtis, James, Mike, Roy and Shin for his protection.
Election 2Election 2 · 2006
Election 2
★ 7.42006
MovieDramaCrime
As election time nears, current Triad chairman Lok faces competition from his godsons. At the same time, Jimmy looks to increase his business relations with mainland China.
The Duke of Mount DeerThe Duke of Mount Deer · 1984
The Duke of Mount Deer
★ 7.41984
SeriesComedySci-Fi & Fantasy
The Duke of Mount Deer is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Deer and the Cauldron. It was first aired on TVB in 1984.
All About Ah-LongAll About Ah-Long · 1989
All About Ah-Long
★ 7.41989
MovieDrama
Ah-Long, a father living a low-class lifestyle, while trying to raise his son, Porky. The strong bond between father and son is tested when a chance encounter from Ah-Long's ex-girlfriend changes the course of their lives.
A Moment of RomanceA Moment of Romance · 1990
A Moment of Romance
★ 7.31990
MovieActionRomance
After a young Triad member takes an upper-class girl hostage during his escape from a jewelry heist, the two find themselves falling in love, in spite of the repercussions caused by their forbidden relationship.
Running Out of TimeRunning Out of Time · 1999
Running Out of Time
★ 7.31999
MovieDramaAction
Police inspector and excellent hostage negotiator Ho Sheung-Sang finds himself in over his head when he is pulled into a 72 hour game by a cancer suffering criminal out for vengeance on Hong Kong's organized crime syndicates.
ExiledExiled · 2006
Exiled
★ 7.22006
MovieActionCrime
A friendship is formed between an ex-gangster, and two groups of hitmen - those who want to protect him and those who were sent to kill him.
ElectionElection · 2005
Election
★ 7.22005
MovieCrimeDrama
After losing an election to become chairman of the Wo Lin Shing triad, a gang leader lashes out and tries to seize the dragon-head baton, the official symbol of a chairman's authority.
Royal WarriorsRoyal Warriors · 1986
Royal Warriors
★ 7.01986
MovieActionCrime
When a tough policewoman learns about a group of violent terrorists, she, along with her partner and a Japanese detective, does everything it takes to take them down.
PTUPTU · 2003
PTU
★ 7.02003
MovieCrimeThriller
Follows a police tactical unit during one dangerous night on the streets of Hong Kong as they try to recover a cop's stolen gun. Things turn deadly when they run into a web of gangland crimes.
Drug WarDrug War · 2012
Drug War
★ 6.92012
MovieActionDrama
A drug cartel boss is arrested in a raid and coerced into betraying his former accomplices as part of an undercover operation.
The Longest NiteThe Longest Nite · 1998
The Longest Nite
★ 6.91998
MovieActionCrime
A corrupt cop named Sam handles negotiations between two Triad leaders who plan to join forces. However, he meets a suspicious bald man named Tony, who keeps following him around and disrupting his personal business.

More Like This

48 Hrs.48 Hrs. · 1982
48 Hrs.
★ 6.71982
MovieCrimeAction
A hard-nosed cop reluctantly teams up with a wise-cracking criminal temporarily paroled to him, in order to track down a killer.
ArielAriel · 1988
Ariel
★ 7.11988
MovieDramaRomance
A Finnish man goes to the city to find a job after the mine where he worked is closed and his father commits suicide.
PapillonPapillon · 1973
Papillon
★ 7.81973
MovieCrimeDrama
A man befriends a fellow criminal as the two of them begin serving their sentence on a dreadful prison island, which inspires the man to plot his escape.
The Great EscapeThe Great Escape · 1963
The Great Escape
★ 7.91963
MovieAdventureDrama
The Nazis, exasperated at the number of escapes from their prison camps by a relatively small number of Allied prisoners, relocate them to a high-security 'escape-proof' camp to sit out the remainder of the war. Undaunted, the prisoners plan one of the most ambitious escape attempts of World War II. Based on a true story.
We're No AngelsWe're No Angels · 1989
We're No Angels
★ 6.21989
MovieComedyCrime
Two escaped cons' only prayer to escape is to pass themselves off as priests and pass by the police blockade at the border into the safety of Canada.
We're No AngelsWe're No Angels · 1955
We're No Angels
★ 7.21955
MovieComedyCrime
Three convicts escape from prison on Devil's Island just before Christmas and arrive at a nearby French colonial town. They go to the store of the Ducotels, the only store that gives supplies on credit. They initially intend to take advantage of them but have a change of heart after they find the family is in financial troubles.
Face/OffFace/Off · 1997
Face/Off
★ 7.11997
MovieActionCrime
In order to foil a terrorist plot, an FBI agent undergoes facial transplant surgery and assumes the identity of a criminal mastermind. The plan turns sour when the criminal wakes up prematurely and seeks revenge.
Dead Man WalkingDead Man Walking · 1995
Dead Man Walking
★ 7.31995
MovieDrama
A death row inmate turns for spiritual guidance to a local nun in the days leading up to his scheduled execution for the murders of a young couple.
PickpocketPickpocket · 1959
Pickpocket
★ 7.31959
MovieCrimeDrama
Michel takes up pickpocketing on a lark and is arrested soon after. His mother dies shortly after his release, and despite the objections of his only friend, Jacques, and his mother's neighbor Jeanne, Michel teams up with a couple of petty thieves in order to improve his craft. With a police inspector keeping an eye on him, Michel also tries to get a straight job, but the temptation to steal is hard to resist.
GoodFellasGoodFellas · 1990
GoodFellas
★ 8.41990
MovieDramaCrime
The true story of Henry Hill, a half-Irish, half-Sicilian Brooklyn kid who is adopted by neighbourhood gangsters at an early age and climbs the ranks of a Mafia family under the guidance of Jimmy Conway.
The Color PurpleThe Color Purple · 1985
The Color Purple
★ 7.71985
MovieDrama
An epic tale spanning forty years in the life of Celie, an African-American woman living in the South who survives incredible abuse and bigotry. After Celie's abusive father marries her off to the equally debasing 'Mister' Albert Johnson, things go from bad to worse, leaving Celie to find companionship anywhere she can. She perseveres, holding on to her dream of one day being reunited with her sister in Africa.
I've Loved You So LongI've Loved You So Long · 2008
I've Loved You So Long
★ 7.32008
MovieDrama
A woman struggles to interact with her family and find her place in society after spending fifteen years in prison.
Great FreedomGreat Freedom · 2021
Great Freedom
★ 7.32021
MovieDramaRomance
In post-war Germany, liberation by the Allies does not mean freedom for everyone. Hans Hoffmann is repeatedly imprisoned under Paragraph 175, which criminalizes homosexuality. Nevertheless, over the decades, he continues his quest for freedom and love, even if he finds it in the most unusual places.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter