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John Woo
Directing

John Woo

Born 1946-09-22
Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
Department: Directing

Biography

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.

Known For

Prominent works featuring John Woo

Mission: Impossible II
Movie
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Mission: Impossible II

2000
TMDB3.0
Face/Off
Movie
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Face/Off

1997
TMDB3.5
Paycheck
Movie
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Paycheck

2003
TMDB3.1
Broken Arrow
Movie
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Broken Arrow

1996
TMDB3.0
Windtalkers
Movie
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Windtalkers

2002
TMDB3.2
Hard Target
Movie
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Hard Target

1993
TMDB3.3
Bulletproof Monk
Movie
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Bulletproof Monk

2003
TMDB2.8
Hard Boiled
Movie
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Hard Boiled

1992
TMDB3.8
Silent Night
Movie
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Silent Night

2023
TMDB3.0
The Killer
Movie
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The Killer

1989
TMDB3.8

Filmography & Credits

Complete career catalog (190 titles)

PosterTitleCharacter / RoleTypeYear
Twist & Shoot: Mister SuzukiTwist & Shoot: Mister SuzukiSelfMovie2026
The KillerThe KillerDirectorMovie2024
The KillerThe KillerProducerMovie2024
The KillerThe KillerOriginal Film WriterMovie2024
Silent NightSilent NightProducerMovie2023
Silent NightSilent NightDirectorMovie2023
The King of Wuxia Part 2The King of Wuxia Part 2SelfMovie2022
The King of Wuxia Part 1The King of Wuxia Part 1SelfMovie2022
大侠胡金铨大侠胡金铨selfTV Series2022
Life in 24 Frames a SecondLife in 24 Frames a SecondSelfMovie2021
A Better TomorrowA Better TomorrowOriginal StoryMovie2018
ManhuntManhuntDirectorMovie2017
ManhuntManhuntWriterMovie2017
John Travolta, le miraculé d'HollywoodJohn Travolta, le miraculé d'HollywoodSelf - Filmmaker (archive footage)Movie2017
Ken SanKen SanSelfMovie2016
The Crossing IIThe Crossing IIDirectorMovie2015
The Crossing IThe Crossing IDirectorMovie2014
Breaking the WavesBreaking the WavesExecutive ProducerMovie2014
VoiceVoiceSelf / AppearanceTV Series2012
Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq BaleWarriors of the Rainbow: Seediq BaleProducerMovie2012
Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale - Part 2: The Rainbow BridgeWarriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale - Part 2: The Rainbow BridgeProducerMovie2011
Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale - Part 1: The Sun FlagWarriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale - Part 1: The Sun FlagProducerMovie2011
Beginning of the Great RevivalBeginning of the Great RevivalLin SenMovie2011
Kurosawa's WayKurosawa's WaySelfMovie2011
Color Me LoveColor Me LoveProducerMovie2010
A Better TomorrowA Better TomorrowExecutive ProducerMovie2010
A Better TomorrowA Better TomorrowScreenplayMovie2010
A Better TomorrowA Better TomorrowOriginal StoryMovie2010
Reign of AssassinsReign of AssassinsProducerMovie2010
Reign of AssassinsReign of AssassinsDirectorMovie2010
Mission: Remarkable - 40 Years of Creating the ImpossibleSelfMovie2010
My Fair GentlemanMy Fair GentlemanProducerMovie2009
The Founding of a RepublicThe Founding of a RepublicLiu WenhuiMovie2009
The Founding of a RepublicThe Founding of a RepublicNational Army OfficersMovie2009
How Bruce Lee Changed the WorldHow Bruce Lee Changed the WorldSelfMovie2009
Red Cliff IIRed Cliff IIScreenplayMovie2009
Red Cliff IIRed Cliff IIDirectorMovie2009
Red Cliff IIRed Cliff IIProducerMovie2009
Red CliffRed CliffDirectorMovie2008
Red CliffRed CliffScreenplayMovie2008
Red CliffRed CliffProducerMovie2008
Team-Up: John Woo and Shinji AramakiTeam-Up: John Woo and Shinji AramakiSelf / AppearanceMovie2008
Appleseed: Ex MachinaAppleseed: Ex MachinaProducerMovie2007
The Light and The Dark: The Making of Face/OffSelfMovie2007
Blood BrothersBlood BrothersProducerMovie2007
The Making of Hard BoiledThe Making of Hard BoiledSelf / AppearanceMovie2007
The Making of StrangleholdThe Making of StrangleholdSelf / AppearanceMovie2007
The Making of StrangleholdThe Making of StrangleholdProducerMovie2007
Bokura no JidaiBokura no JidaiSelf / AppearanceTV Series2007
Be My GuestBe My GuestSelf / AppearanceTV Series2006
All the Invisible ChildrenAll the Invisible ChildrenDirectorMovie2006
A Century of Light and ShadowA Century of Light and ShadowSelfTV Series2005
Crossings: John WooCrossings: John WooSelfMovie2004
The Robinsons: Lost in SpaceThe Robinsons: Lost in SpaceDirectorMovie2004
PaycheckPaycheckDirectorMovie2003
PaycheckPaycheckProducerMovie2003
Chop Socky: Cinema Hong KongChop Socky: Cinema Hong KongSelfMovie2003
The Master: Chang Cheh DocumentaryThe Master: Chang Cheh DocumentarySelf / AppearanceMovie2003
The Life and Times of Wu Zhong XianThe Life and Times of Wu Zhong XianAs himselfMovie2003
Bulletproof MonkBulletproof MonkProducerMovie2003
Cinema Hong Kong: Wu XiaCinema Hong Kong: Wu XiaSelfMovie2003
Cinema Hong Kong: Kung FuCinema Hong Kong: Kung FuSelfMovie2003
HostageHostageDirectorMovie2002
Red SkiesRed SkiesExecutive ProducerMovie2002
WindtalkersWindtalkersDirectorMovie2002
WindtalkersWindtalkersProducerMovie2002
The Art of Action: Martial Arts in the MoviesThe Art of Action: Martial Arts in the MoviesSelf - IntervieweeMovie2002
Mission: ImprobableMission: ImprobableJohn WooMovie2001
The HireThe HireDirectorTV Series2001
Mission: Impossible IIMission: Impossible IIDirectorMovie2000
Kurosawa: The Last EmperorKurosawa: The Last EmperorSelfMovie1999
BlackjackBlackjackDirectorMovie1998
BlackjackBlackjackProducerMovie1998
Yang ± Yin: Gender in Chinese CinemaYang ± Yin: Gender in Chinese CinemaSelfMovie1998
The Big HitThe Big HitExecutive ProducerMovie1998
The Replacement KillersThe Replacement KillersExecutive ProducerMovie1998
The Replacement KillersThe Replacement KillersChoreographerMovie1998
Task ForceTask ForcePolice ChiefMovie1997
Face/OffFace/OffDirectorMovie1997
Face/OffFace/OffStoryboardMovie1997
Once a ThiefOnce a ThiefDirectorMovie1996
Once a ThiefOnce a ThiefCreatorTV Series1996
Somebody Up There Likes MeSomebody Up There Likes MeProducerMovie1996
Broken ArrowBroken ArrowDirectorMovie1996
Don't Cry, NankingDon't Cry, NankingProducerMovie1995
Peace HotelPeace HotelExecutive ProducerMovie1995
Cinema of VengeanceCinema of VengeanceSelf (uncredited)Movie1994
Hard TargetHard TargetDirectorMovie1993
Film ohne Fesseln - Das neue Hongkong KinoFilm ohne Fesseln - Das neue Hongkong KinoSelfMovie1993
Hard BoiledHard BoiledMr. WooMovie1992
Hard BoiledHard BoiledDirectorMovie1992
Hard BoiledHard BoiledEditorMovie1992
Hard BoiledHard BoiledStoryMovie1992
Twin DragonsTwin DragonsPriestMovie1992
The BanquetThe BanquetMan on StairsMovie1991
Once a ThiefOnce a ThiefStanley WuMovie1991
Once a ThiefOnce a ThiefDirectorMovie1991
Once a ThiefOnce a ThiefScreenplayMovie1991
Once a ThiefOnce a ThiefStoryMovie1991
Rebel from ChinaRebel from ChinaKwongMovie1990
Bullet in the HeadBullet in the HeadPolicemanMovie1990
Bullet in the HeadBullet in the HeadDirectorMovie1990
Bullet in the HeadBullet in the HeadProducerMovie1990
Bullet in the HeadBullet in the HeadEditorMovie1990
Bullet in the HeadBullet in the HeadWriterMovie1990
A Better Tomorrow III: Love and Death in SaigonA Better Tomorrow III: Love and Death in SaigonProducerMovie1989
Just HeroesJust HeroesDirectorMovie1989
Sunset in ParisSunset in ParisMaggie's uncleMovie1989
The KillerThe KillerDirectorMovie1989
The KillerThe KillerScreenplayMovie1989
Celebrity Talk ShowCelebrity Talk Show吴宇森TV Series1989
Starry Is the NightStarry Is the NightFather FanMovie1988
I Love MariaI Love MariaSelf / AppearanceMovie1988
A Better Tomorrow IIA Better Tomorrow IIDirectorMovie1987
A Better Tomorrow IIA Better Tomorrow IIWriterMovie1987
The Thirty Million Dollar RushThe Thirty Million Dollar RushLing's HusbandMovie1987
A Better TomorrowA Better TomorrowInspector WuMovie1986
A Better TomorrowA Better TomorrowDirectorMovie1986
A Better TomorrowA Better TomorrowWriterMovie1986
Ghost BustinGhost BustinProducerMovie1985
Love, Lone FlowerLove, Lone FlowerSelf / AppearanceMovie1985
Love, Lone FlowerLove, Lone FlowerProducerMovie1985
Super CitizenSuper CitizenProducerMovie1985
Run Tiger RunRun Tiger RunDirectorMovie1985
Run Tiger RunRun Tiger RunProducerMovie1985
Happy Union 2Happy Union 2Self / AppearanceMovie1985
Happy Union 2Happy Union 2ProducerMovie1985
Heroes Shed No TearsHeroes Shed No TearsProducerMovie1984
Heroes Shed No TearsHeroes Shed No TearsDirectorMovie1984
Heroes Shed No TearsHeroes Shed No TearsWriterMovie1984
The Time You Need a FriendThe Time You Need a FriendDirectorMovie1984
Happy UnionHappy UnionProducerMovie1984
Plain Jane to the RescuePlain Jane to the RescueSelfMovie1982
Plain Jane to the RescuePlain Jane to the RescueDirectorMovie1982
Plain Jane to the RescuePlain Jane to the RescueScreenplayMovie1982
To Hell with the DevilTo Hell with the DevilDirectorMovie1982
To Hell with the DevilTo Hell with the DevilWriterMovie1982
The Idiot AssassinProducerMovie1981
Laughing TimesLaughing TimesScreenplayMovie1980
Laughing TimesLaughing TimesDirectorMovie1980
From Riches to RagsFrom Riches to Rags[cameo]Movie1980
From Riches to RagsFrom Riches to RagsDirectorMovie1980
From Riches to RagsFrom Riches to RagsWriterMovie1980
Last Hurrah for ChivalryLast Hurrah for ChivalryDirectorMovie1979
Last Hurrah for ChivalryLast Hurrah for ChivalryWriterMovie1979
Itchy FingersItchy FingersTriad Boss on LorryMovie1979
Hello, Late HomecomersHello, Late HomecomersDirectorMovie1978
Hello, Late HomecomersHello, Late HomecomersScreenplayMovie1978
Follow the StarFollow the StarMiss Chen's FatherMovie1978
Follow the StarFollow the StarDirectorMovie1978
Follow the StarFollow the StarWriterMovie1978
Follow the StarFollow the StarScreenplayMovie1978
Money CrazyMoney CrazyDirectorMovie1977
Money CrazyMoney CrazyScreenplayMovie1977
The Private EyesThe Private EyesProducerMovie1976
Hand of DeathHand of DeathZhang YiMovie1976
Hand of DeathHand of DeathDirectorMovie1976
Hand of DeathHand of DeathScreenplayMovie1976
Princess Chang-PingPrincess Chang-PingDirectorMovie1976
Princess Chang-PingPrincess Chang-PingScreenplayMovie1976
The Dragon TamersThe Dragon TamersDirectorMovie1975
The Dragon TamersThe Dragon TamersWriterMovie1975
Young Lovers on Flying WheelsYoung Lovers on Flying WheelsMan at Bike Reclaim CentreMovie1974
The Young DragonsThe Young DragonsMessage DelivererMovie1974
The Young DragonsThe Young DragonsDirectorMovie1974
The Young DragonsThe Young DragonsWriterMovie1974
The DevilsThe DevilsAssistant DirectorMovie1973
Fist to FistFist to FistAssistant DirectorMovie1973
The MandarinThe MandarinSelf / AppearanceMovie1973
The MandarinThe MandarinSecond UnitMovie1973
Blood BrothersBlood BrothersAssistant DirectorMovie1973
Four RidersFour RidersAssistant DirectorMovie1972
Young PeopleYoung PeopleAssistant DirectorMovie1972
The Water MarginThe Water MarginAssistant DirectorMovie1972
The Boxer from ShantungThe Boxer from ShantungAssistant DirectorMovie1972
BeggingBeggingThanksMovie1970
The Ruthless HeartStoryMovie1970
Dead KnotDead KnotBoyMovie1969
Dead KnotDead KnotWriterMovie1969
Dead KnotDead KnotProducerMovie1969
Dead KnotDead KnotEditorMovie1969
Dead KnotDead KnotDirectorMovie1969
AccidentallyAccidentallyYoung ManMovie1968
AccidentallyAccidentallyDirectorMovie1968
AccidentallyAccidentallyWriterMovie1968
AccidentallyAccidentallyEditorMovie1968
Golden Horse AwardsGolden Horse AwardsSelfTV Series1962
X-CruciorDirectorMovie—
Better TomorrowBetter TomorrowOriginal Film WriterMovie—
GambinoDirectorMovie—