The Log (1996)
A Hong Kong crime drama set on the eve of the 1997 handover, following three officers whose moral crises collide in one unforgettable night.
The Log - Movie Information
- Original Title: 3個受傷的警察
- Release Year: 1996
- Directed by: Derek Chiu
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Crime
- Runtime: 1h 35m
- Original Language: CN
- Spoken Languages: Cantonese
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 13, 1996 (Hong Kong)
- Alternative Titles: 3 go shou shang de jing cha (HK), 三个受伤的警察 (CN)
- Production Companies: Entertainment Power
- Production Countries: Hong Kong
The Log - Plot
New Year's Eve of 1997, Hong Kong is almost in hand to China and the service routine is shaken by a number of events that threaten to get out of hand: a cop accidentally kills an old woman kidnapped by a thug during a tense action and is arrested facing general disbelief. A cadet committing the same offense is acquitted and instead celebrated as a hero by the citizens, but flooding of guilt. A senior police officer on the other hand is going to be left by his wife in vain that claims more attention and time he has never failed to give her. The three destinies cross when the third of them takes hostage during the New Year, the new man in the woman.
The Log - Trailer
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The Log - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Derek Chiu
Main Cast
- Michael Wong
- Kent Cheng Jak-Si
- Jerry Lamb Hiu-Fung
- Cher Yeung Suet-Yee
- Stephen Fung
- Fredric Mao
- Lam King-Kong
- Guy Lai Ying-Chau
- Wayne Lai Yiu-Cheung
- Lau Shung-Fung
Writers
- Lu Bing
- John Chan Kin-Chung
Producers
- Tommy Wong
The Log - FAQs
What is The Log (1996) about?
The Log follows three Hong Kong police officers whose lives intersect on New Year's Eve 1997, just before the city's handover to China. Each faces a distinct moral or personal crisis — an accidental killing, a guilt-ridden cadet celebrated as a hero, and a senior officer losing his marriage — culminating in a tense hostage situation.
Who directed The Log?
The Log was directed by Derek Chiu, a Hong Kong filmmaker known for socially conscious dramas. The film showcases his interest in exploring the human cost of duty and institutional pressure, set against the politically charged backdrop of Hong Kong's 1997 handover to China.
Who are the main actors in The Log?
The Log stars Michael Wong as Dixon, Kent Cheng Jak-Si as Officer Gump, and Jerry Lamb Hiu-Fung as Jerry. The supporting cast includes Stephen Fung as Kwong, Cher Yeung Suet-Yee as Gump's Wife, Fredric Mao as Officer Koo Kwok On, Wayne Lai Yiu-Cheung as Tiger, and Guy Lai Ying-Chau as Uncle Big Mouth.
How does The Log reflect Hong Kong's 1997 handover?
The film is set deliberately on New Year's Eve 1997, using the imminent handover of Hong Kong to China as an atmospheric backdrop. The uncertainty and tension felt by the police officers mirror the broader anxieties of a society on the cusp of profound political transformation, lending the personal dramas a collective, historical weight.
Why is the cadet celebrated while the veteran cop is arrested?
Both a veteran officer and a young cadet accidentally kill civilians during separate incidents, yet public and institutional reactions differ sharply. The cadet is hailed as a hero, while the veteran faces arrest. The film uses this contrast to interrogate how perception, rank, and media narrative shape justice — and how guilt operates independently of official verdicts.
When was The Log released?
The Log was released on June 13, 1996, in Hong Kong. The film was produced by Entertainment Power and is also known by its alternative titles 3 go shou shang de jing cha and 三个受伤的警察, reflecting its Cantonese-language origin.
What genre is The Log?
The Log is a Hong Kong crime drama. While it incorporates the procedural tension of a police thriller, its primary focus is character-driven, examining moral ambiguity, institutional failure, and personal sacrifice within the Hong Kong police force during a historically significant period.
How long is The Log?
The Log has a runtime of 95 minutes. The film uses its compact running time efficiently, weaving together three distinct police storylines that converge in a tense New Year's Eve climax, maintaining a focused and emotionally resonant pace throughout.
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