The Mission 1999
Directed by
Johnnie To
Made by
Milkyway Image
The Mission Plot Summary
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The Mission (1999). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
Triad boss Lung Eddy Ko Hung survives an assassination attempt inside a restaurant, a venue owned by Fat Cheung Wong Tin-Lam, an underboss of Lung’s triad. The attack leaves one of Lung’s men dead and sets off a plan to keep the boss safe at all costs.
To ensure his safety, Lung’s right-hand man and brother, Frank Simon Yam, hires five bodyguards to stay close to the pair 24/7: Curtis Anthony Wong, a retired triad veteran who has traded a dangerous life for a quiet one as a hairdresser; James Lam Suet, a quiet loner and the firearms expert of the group; Roy Francis Ng Chun-Yu, a rising capo with a sharp mind and sharper reflexes; Shin Jackie Lui-Chung-Yin, Roy’s quick-witted underling; and Mike Roy Cheung Yiu-Yeung, a former pimp and sharpshooter who still knows how to use a gun when needed.
An initial attempt on Lung ends quickly in tragedy when a rooftop sniper targets the cars carrying Lung and his entourage. Lung is wounded, though a bulletproof vest saves him from a fatal shot. The group fights back, and Curtis decides to stay with Lung in the car, joining James, Mike, and Shin—even though Roy hasn’t returned yet, having pursued a second attacker. Roy eventually returns in a taxi, furious, and beats up Curtis; the assault is brief, but it reaffirms the volatile dynamics within the team. The next day, Curtis makes amends by killing a criminal who harassed Roy’s nightclub, signaling that the guards will act decisively when loyalty is tested.
Two more assassination attempts come and go as the five guards doggedly hunt a surviving hitman to the hideout of the attackers. After a tense gunfight, they capture the hitman alive. It becomes evident that Fat Cheung is behind the hits, and Lung sends Frank to kill him. The bodyguards finish the captured operative and, feeling a momentary sense of relief, celebrate their victory in a restaurant.
Frank hands Curtis five envelopes with pay and drops a bombshell: Shin has been having an affair with Lung’s wife. Curtis agrees to handle the matter, while he and James plot to confront Shin. Curtis goes to James to borrow a gun and arranges an evening meeting with Shin. James warns Roy, and Roy is forced to confront Shin about the accusation. Shin concedes the affair, and Roy—who has authority over Shin—refuses to permit Shin’s execution. They consider sending Shin to Taiwan, but abandon the plan, fearing Frank would pursue them for their failures.
That evening, the five men reconvene in an otherwise empty restaurant to settle the matter once and for all. James leaves to ask Lung for clemency and to spare Shin’s life. Upon arriving at Lung’s house, he witnesses a Lung henchman kill Mrs. Lung Elaine Eca Da Silva, an act that underscores the perilous stakes and the futility of mercy in this violent world. James returns to the restaurant with a grim sense of inevitability as a Mexican standoff unfolds between the men. Curtis shoots Shin, while Roy fires his magazine—without aiming at Curtis. As they prepare to leave, Curtis hurls a blank toward James, revealing that Shin’s death was staged for Lung; Shin had escaped through the backdoor, and the ruse was meant to keep Lung fooled and safe—at least for the moment.
The Mission Timeline
Follow the complete movie timeline of The Mission (1999) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Restaurant assassination attempt and guard death
Lung survives an assassination attempt in Fat Cheung's restaurant, and one of his men is killed in the chaos. The attack underscores the constant danger around the triad boss and foreshadows the need for a dedicated security detail. Fat Cheung's restaurant is the scene where this first blow is struck.
Frank hires five bodyguards to protect Lung
Lung's right-hand man Frank assembles five loyal protectors: Curtis, James, Roy, Shin, and Mike. Each guard brings a distinct skill set, from Curtis's veteran experience to James's firearms expertise, Roy's rising leadership, Shin's street smarts, and Mike's sharpshooting. This security detail becomes the backbone of Lung's defense against further attacks.
Rooftop sniper attack tests Lung's defenses
An initial assassination attempt targets Lung when a sniper attacks the cars from the rooftop of a high-rise. Lung is hit but saved by a bullet-proof vest, preventing serious injury. The five bodyguards fight back to protect their boss and maintain control of the situation. The event confirms the need for a tightly guarded route for Lung.
Roy returns and confronts Curtis
Roy returns angrily in a taxi to Lung's house and beats up Curtis, revealing the volatile tension within the team. Curtis makes no move to resist, accepting the hierarchy and the heat of the moment. The incident foreshadows future frictions within the guard unit.
Curtis eliminates a threat to Roy's nightclub
The next day, Curtis takes decisive action by killing a criminal who has been harassing Roy's nightclub. The act helps mollify Roy and cement Curtis's role as the stabilizing force in the group. It also shows the blurred line between protection and vigilantism in their world.
Two more assassination attempts and chase a hitman
The five bodyguards fend off two additional assassination attempts and trail a surviving hitman to the attackers' hideout. After a gunfight, they kill the captured hitman, and the operation tightens Lung's security around Fat Cheung's network. The team grows more coordinated as the danger escalates.
Lung orders Fat Cheung's killer; Frank is dispatched
Lung sends his henchman Frank to kill Fat Cheung, seeking to neutralize the rival underworld figure behind the attacks. The plan tests loyalties within Lung's inner circle as tensions rise. The move signals a violent escalation in the underworld feud.
Celebration after the mission in a restaurant
The five men celebrate the end of their mission in a restaurant after the captured hitman is dealt with. They discuss their pay envelopes and the risks they face in a world where loyalty is constantly tested. The mood is tense but relieved as they unwind together.
Pay envelopes and Shin's affair revealed
Frank hands out five envelopes with pay to Curtis and reveals that Shin has been involved with Lung's wife. He urges Shin's execution, but Curtis claims he will handle it, signaling a dangerous plan taking shape within the group. The revelation deepens mistrust among the guards.
Curtis and James plot Shin's fate; Roy resists
Curtis goes to James to borrow a gun and arranges an evening meeting with Shin. James warns Roy about the plan, and Roy asserts that Shin cannot be killed. They discuss a potential escape for Shin to Taiwan, but ultimately abandon the idea to avoid triggering wider pursuit.
Final standoff in an empty restaurant; Shin's death is staged
The five meet in an empty restaurant to sort out Shin's fate. James seeks clemency from Lung but learns that a henchman has killed Mrs. Lung during his visit, triggering a tense stand-off. Curtis shoots Shin, who escapes through the back door, and Roy fires as the group prepares to leave; Curtis then reveals the death was staged for Lung by throwing a blank at James.
The Mission Characters
Explore all characters from The Mission (1999). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Curtis (Anthony Wong)
Curtis is a retired triad veteran who now leads the five bodyguards with calm precision. He plans operations with cool detachment and is willing to kill to protect Lung, including disposing of a harassing criminal to keep the peace. His loyalty is fierce, but his decisions reveal a willingness to bend morality for the boss's safety. He ultimately orchestrates the staged death to manage the threat to Lung.
James (Lam Suet)
James is a loner firearms expert, quiet and highly capable in a firefight. He acts as a practical counterweight to the others, warning Roy of looming danger and handling guns with cold efficiency. His actions are driven by loyalty to the group, yet he bears the weight of difficult choices, including the plan around Shin's fate. He represents the calculating, stoic side of the guard detail.
Roy (Francis Ng Chun-Yu)
Roy is a rising capo, quick-witted and deeply attached to his own code of honor. He champions loyalty to Shin but resists the idea of Shin's execution when ordered. He helps navigate the conflict between duty and personal ethics, and his actions push toward a possible escape plan that ultimately isn’t carried out. His perspective anchors the moral complexity of the group.
Shin (Jackie Lui Chung-Yin)
Shin is a crucial underling whose bonds with Lung are tested by an affair with Lung's wife. He becomes a focal point of the group’s tensions as trust erodes and threats escalate. He is targeted for possible punishment, but his fate is shaped by shifting loyalties and the crew's attempts to protect Lung. His supposed death becomes a pivotal lie in the power struggle.
Mike (Roy Cheung Yiu-Yeung)
Mike is a former pimp and sharpshooter who brings practical violence to the team. He operates close to Curtis, supporting gunplay in the field and helping execute plans under pressure. His presence reinforces the guard's reliance on practical ability and readiness to act decisively when threats arise. He stands as one of the reliable, action-oriented members of the group.
The Mission Settings
Learn where and when The Mission (1999) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Location
Hong Kong, Fat Cheung's restaurant, Lung's house, high-rise rooftop, Taiwan
Hong Kong serves as the backdrop for a brutal triad power struggle, with neon-lit streets and high-rise rooftops framing the action. Key locations include Fat Cheung's restaurant where deals turn deadly, Lung's private residence, and a rooftop where the first sniper attack unfolds. The pursuit culminates in a plan to flee by boat to Taiwan, underscoring the stakes and mobility of gangland violence.
The Mission Themes
Discover the main themes in The Mission (1999). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Loyalty Tested
The five bodyguards are bound by a code of loyalty to Lung, yet their relationships are strained by rivalries, secrets, and the constant threat of violence. They must navigate deadly assignments, shootouts, and morally grey decisions to keep their boss safe. The staged death of Shin reveals how loyalty can be weaponized as a strategic tool within a dangerous power structure. The characters' trust is tested as loyalties shift under pressure, exposing fractures in what seemed like a tightly-knit unit.
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Betrayal Unmasked
Shin's affair with Lung's wife and the subsequent fallout expose how personal secrets intersect with professional duty. Roy's moral hesitation and James's cold pragmatism show different responses to looming betrayal and the pressure to preserve the boss's safety. The plan to stage Shin's death and the warning signs of treachery reveal a larger deception at play. By the end, the truth emerges through a tense confrontation that tests everyone's limits.
The Mission Spoiler-Free Summary
Discover the spoiler-free summary of The Mission (1999). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.
In the neon‑lit shadows of Hong Kong’s underworld, a formidable triad boss known only as Lung narrowly escapes a deadly strike, sending shockwaves through the city’s delicate balance of power. Determined to shield himself from further danger, his loyal brother and right‑hand man, Frank, assembles a hand‑picked cadre of veteran protectors—each a specialist forged by years of gritty experience. The ensemble includes the reticent former enforcer turned barber Curtis, the quiet firearms virtuoso James, the sharp‑minded rising capo Roy, his quick‑witted underling Shin, and the seasoned sharpshooter Mike.
Together they form a tightly knit unit, a brotherhood whose seamless coordination has long been their greatest asset. Their world is one of whispered deals, smoky back‑room meetings, and an ever‑present tension between honor and survival. The film’s tone drifts between the cool, methodical rhythm of a well‑oiled crew and the electric, unpredictable pulse of a city that never sleeps, creating a mood that feels both intimate and imminently perilous.
When the protection detail is thrust into an environment where loyalty must be constantly re‑examined, the characters find themselves navigating a maze of hidden motives and unspoken expectations. The stakes rise as old bonds are tested against new pressures, forcing each member to weigh personal code against collective duty. In this high‑tension setting, the audience is invited to watch the subtle dance of trust and suspicion unfold, hinting at deeper currents that could reshape the very foundations of the group—and the fragile order they strive to uphold.
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