Personal Info
Known ForDirecting
Born1946-09-22
BirthplaceGuangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
John Woo
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.
Notable Works
Prominent titles featuring John Woo
Filmography
Acting (52)
2026
Twist & Shoot: Mister Suzukias Self
2022
The King of Wuxia Part 2as Self
2022
The King of Wuxia Part 1as Self
8.7
2021
Life in 24 Frames a Secondas Self
2017
John Travolta, le miraculé d'Hollywoodas Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)
7.1
2016
Ken Sanas Self
6.7
2011
Beginning of the Great Revivalas Lin Sen
4.7
2011
Kurosawa's Wayas Self
5.8
2009
The Founding of a Republicas Liu Wenhui
5.3
2009
The Founding of a Republicas National Army Officers
5.3
2009
7.9
8.0
2004
Crossings: John Wooas Self
2003
Chop Socky: Cinema Hong Kongas Self
3.0
2003
The Life and Times of Wu Zhong Xianas As himself
2003
Cinema Hong Kong: Wu Xiaas Self
6.0
2003
Cinema Hong Kong: Kung Fuas Self
7.1
2002
The Art of Action: Martial Arts in the Moviesas Self - Interviewee
5.8
2001
Mission: Improbableas John Woo
7.5
1999
Kurosawa: The Last Emperoras Self
6.2
1998
5.5
1997
Task Forceas Police Chief
7.5
1994
Cinema of Vengeanceas Self (uncredited)
6.2
1993
7.3
1992
Hard Boiledas Mr. Woo
7.5
1992
Twin Dragonsas Priest
6.9
1991
The Banquetas Man on Stairs
5.8
1991
Once a Thiefas Stanley Wu
6.9
1990
Rebel from Chinaas Kwong
10.0
1990
Bullet in the Headas Policeman
7.6
1989
Sunset in Parisas Maggie's uncle
7.0
1988
Starry Is the Nightas Father Fan
6.5
1988
6.4
1987
The Thirty Million Dollar Rushas Ling's Husband
7.2
1986
A Better Tomorrowas Inspector Wu
7.4
8.0
1985
10.0
1982
Plain Jane to the Rescueas Self
6.3
1980
From Riches to Ragsas [cameo]
4.9
1979
Itchy Fingersas Triad Boss on Lorry
7.3
1978
Follow the Staras Miss Chen's Father
8.0
1976
Hand of Deathas Zhang Yi
6.6
1974
Young Lovers on Flying Wheelsas Man at Bike Reclaim Centre
6.5
1974
The Young Dragonsas Message Deliverer
6.8
1973
7.0
1969
Dead Knotas Boy
6.0
1968
Accidentallyas Young Man
4.9
Production & Directing (129)
2024
The KillerDirector
6.3
2024
The KillerProducer
6.3
2024
The KillerOriginal Film Writer
6.3
2023
Silent NightProducer
6.1
2023
Silent NightDirector
6.1
2018
A Better TomorrowOriginal Story
5.6
2017
ManhuntDirector
5.6
2017
ManhuntWriter
5.6
2015
The Crossing IIDirector
5.3
2014
The Crossing IDirector
5.5
2014
Breaking the WavesExecutive Producer
5.0
2012
7.8
7.3
2010
Color Me LoveProducer
6.3
2010
A Better TomorrowExecutive Producer
6.0
2010
A Better TomorrowScreenplay
6.0
2010
A Better TomorrowOriginal Story
6.0
2010
Reign of AssassinsProducer
6.9
2010
Reign of AssassinsDirector
6.9
2009
My Fair GentlemanProducer
4.8
2009
Red Cliff IIScreenplay
7.3
2009
Red Cliff IIDirector
7.3
2009
Red Cliff IIProducer
7.3
2008
Red CliffDirector
7.1
2008
Red CliffScreenplay
7.1
2008
Red CliffProducer
7.1
2007
Appleseed: Ex MachinaProducer
6.5
2007
Blood BrothersProducer
5.3
2007
The Making of StrangleholdProducer
8.0
2006
All the Invisible ChildrenDirector
7.0
2004
The Robinsons: Lost in SpaceDirector
5.2
2003
PaycheckDirector
6.2
2003
PaycheckProducer
6.2
2003
Bulletproof MonkProducer
5.5
2002
HostageDirector
6.6
2002
Red SkiesExecutive Producer
4.3
2002
WindtalkersProducer
6.4
2002
WindtalkersDirector
6.4
2000
Mission: Impossible IIDirector
6.1
1998
BlackjackDirector
5.2
1998
BlackjackProducer
5.2
1998
The Big HitExecutive Producer
6.0
1998
The Replacement KillersChoreographer
6.3
1998
The Replacement KillersExecutive Producer
6.3
1997
Face/OffDirector
7.1
1997
Face/OffStoryboard
7.1
1996
Once a ThiefDirector
4.9
1996
Somebody Up There Likes MeProducer
8.0
1996
Broken ArrowDirector
6.1
1995
Don't Cry, NankingProducer
7.8
1995
Peace HotelExecutive Producer
5.9
1993
Hard TargetDirector
6.5
1992
Hard BoiledDirector
7.5
1992
Hard BoiledEditor
7.5
1992
Hard BoiledStory
7.5
1991
Once a ThiefDirector
6.9
1991
Once a ThiefScreenplay
6.9
1991
Once a ThiefStory
6.9
1990
Bullet in the HeadProducer
7.6
1990
Bullet in the HeadDirector
7.6
1990
Bullet in the HeadEditor
7.6
1990
Bullet in the HeadWriter
7.6
1989
6.4
1989
Just HeroesDirector
6.6
1989
The KillerDirector
7.6
1989
The KillerScreenplay
7.6
1987
A Better Tomorrow IIDirector
7.1
1987
A Better Tomorrow IIWriter
7.1
1986
A Better TomorrowDirector
7.4
1986
A Better TomorrowWriter
7.4
1985
Ghost BustinProducer
1985
Love, Lone FlowerProducer
8.0
1985
Super CitizenProducer
10.0
1985
Run Tiger RunDirector
8.6
1985
Run Tiger RunProducer
8.6
1985
Happy Union 2Producer
10.0
1984
Heroes Shed No TearsProducer
6.4
1984
Heroes Shed No TearsDirector
6.4
1984
Heroes Shed No TearsWriter
6.4
1984
The Time You Need a FriendDirector
9.0
1984
Happy UnionProducer
10.0
1982
Plain Jane to the RescueDirector
6.3
1982
Plain Jane to the RescueScreenplay
6.3
1982
To Hell with the DevilDirector
5.8
1982
To Hell with the DevilWriter
5.8
1981
The Idiot AssassinProducer
1980
Laughing TimesScreenplay
4.8
1980
Laughing TimesDirector
4.8
1980
From Riches to RagsDirector
4.9
1980
From Riches to RagsWriter
4.9
1979
Last Hurrah for ChivalryDirector
7.1
1979
Last Hurrah for ChivalryWriter
7.1
1978
Hello, Late HomecomersDirector
8.5
1978
Hello, Late HomecomersScreenplay
8.5
1978
Follow the StarDirector
8.0
1978
Follow the StarWriter
8.0
1978
Follow the StarScreenplay
8.0
1977
Money CrazyDirector
6.6
1977
Money CrazyScreenplay
6.6
1976
The Private EyesProducer
6.4
1976
Hand of DeathDirector
6.6
1976
Hand of DeathScreenplay
6.6
1976
Princess Chang-PingDirector
8.5
1976
Princess Chang-PingScreenplay
8.5
1975
The Dragon TamersDirector
7.0
1975
The Dragon TamersWriter
7.0
1974
The Young DragonsWriter
6.8
1974
The Young DragonsDirector
6.8
1973
The DevilsAssistant Director
1973
Fist to FistAssistant Director
6.6
1973
The MandarinSecond Unit
7.0
1973
Blood BrothersAssistant Director
6.4
1972
Four RidersAssistant Director
6.1
1972
Young PeopleAssistant Director
6.5
1972
The Water MarginAssistant Director
6.8
1972
The Boxer from ShantungAssistant Director
6.9
1970
BeggingThanks
4.0
1970
The Ruthless HeartStory
1969
Dead KnotWriter
6.0
1969
Dead KnotProducer
6.0
1969
Dead KnotEditor
6.0
1969
Dead KnotDirector
6.0
1968
AccidentallyDirector
4.9
1968
AccidentallyWriter
4.9
1968
AccidentallyEditor
4.9
—
X-CruciorDirector
—
Better TomorrowOriginal Film Writer
—
GambinoDirector