 The movie is actually a remake of a 1967 Cantonese film called  _Ying xiong ben se (1967)_ (qv) (Story of a Discharged Prisoner).  Hark Tsui (qv) had been toying with the idea since his days in the  TV business, but because of an overwhelming workload, had to pass  the directorial reigns to John Woo (I) (qv).