City on Fire (1987): Cast, Plot & Where to Watch
City on Fire is a 1987 action thriller starring Chow Yun-Fat as Ko Chow, Lau Kong and Sun Yueh. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes. Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Criterion Channel, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 45m (105 min)
- Original language
- Cantonese
- Studio
- Cinema City
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is City on Fire About?
The premise of City on Fire without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Ko Chow, an undercover cop, is pulled in every direction. Inspector Lau orders him to infiltrate a ruthless jewel‑thieving gang, while his girlfriend threatens to leave Hong Kong unless he marries her. Unaware colleagues hunt him, and Chow wrestles with guilt over betraying the gang members who have become friends, considering quitting the force.
City on Fire Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- undercover cop
- robbery
- gangster
- organized crime
- police officer
- male bonding
- police
- gang
- triad
- police officer shot
- friendship
- neo noir
+38 more Show fewer
- shootout
- blood
- heroic bloodshed
- gang leader
- infiltration
- undercover
- tough cop
- 1980s
- criminal
- suspense
- jewel thief
- thief
- action hero
- anti hero
- urban setting
- hong kong police
- one man army
- tough guy
- warrior
- detective
- chase
- stylized violence
- pistol
- investigation
- gun fu action
- police shootout
- security guard killed
- police officer kicked
- killed in police car
- police officer knocked unconscious
- police officer shot in the head
- police officer shot in the chest
- slapped in the face
- violence
- uncle
- stabbing
- shower
- sex
Where to Watch City on Fire
Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Criterion Channel, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 8
Amazon Prime Video 
Amazon Prime Video with Ads 
Criterion Channel 
Kanopy 
Plex 
Plex Channel 
Shout! Factory TV 
YouTube Free 
Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
City on Fire Cast & Characters
Chow Yun-Fat leads the cast as Ko Chow, with Lau Kong as Commissioner Chow and Sun Yueh as Inspector Lau/Uncle Kung.
- Chow Yun-Fat as Ko Chow
- Lau Kong as Commissioner Chow
- Sun Yueh as Inspector Lau/Uncle Kung
- Elvis Tsui Kam-Kong as Chan Kam-Wah
Also Starring in City on Fire
· 15 more- Roy Cheung Yiu-Yeung Inspector John Chiao Chi
- Chan Chi-Fai Chen Ching / Tai Song
- Cheng Mang-Ha Chow's Grandmother
- Ringo Lam Ling-Tung Chow's Contact
- Carrie Ng Ka-Lai Hung
- Victor Hon Kwan Bill
- Danny Lee Tiger
- Tommy Wong Detective Kwong
- Maria Cordero Lounge Singer
- Parkman Wong Pak-Man Detective Man
- William Ho Nightclub Boss Tsui
- Joe Chu Tsai
- Fong Yau Chow Nam
- Chan Yuen-Tat
- Chow Bo-Saan Rose
City on Fire Plot Summary
What happens in City on Fire from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
An undercover cop Chan Kam-Wah, investigating a group of jewelry thieves, is killed by three attackers. Inspector Lau assigns Ko Chow, another undercover officer, to continue the investigation. Chow hesitates due to a past experience where he betrayed a friend during an undercover mission. The thieves attempt to rob a jewelry factory but are interrupted by the police, which ends with one of the robbers killing a police officer. A task force led by Inspector John Chiao Chi is formed to investigate the gang, sparking a rivalry between Chan and Lau.
Full summary
The whole story of City on Fire, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know City on Fire?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which undercover officer is assigned to continue the investigation after the first cop is killed?
City on Fire Also Known As
11 alternative titles, including “Lung fu fong wan” and “Cover Hard 2”.
- Also known as
-
- Lung fu fong wan
- Cover Hard 2
- City on Fire - Cover Hard 2
- Cover Hard II
- 龙虎风云
- 용호풍운
- Город в огне
- Perigo Extremo
- Płonące Miasto
- เถื่อนตามดวง (City on Fire)
- Long Hổ Phong Vân
Seen City on Fire?
Movies Like City on Fire
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including City War, Police Story and City Cops.
City on Fire FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, cast, where to watch, post-credit scenes and language of City on Fire, each answered in a sentence.
How long is City on Fire?
City on Fire runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).
When was City on Fire released?
City on Fire was released on February 13, 1987.
Who is in the cast of City on Fire?
City on Fire stars Chow Yun-Fat as Ko Chow, Lau Kong as Commissioner Chow and Sun Yueh as Inspector Lau/Uncle Kung, among 19 credited actors.
Where can I watch City on Fire?
In the US, City on Fire is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Criterion Channel and Kanopy and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
Does City on Fire have a post-credit scene?
No. City on Fire has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is City on Fire in?
The original language of City on Fire is Cantonese.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
