The Untold Story (1993)


REVIEWER RATING: 
8/10

DIRECTOR:

CAST:


I will never eat a BBQ pork bun again.

On August 4, 1985, there was an unspeakable massacre at the Eight Immortals Restaurant in Macau that revolved around…what else? Money. What is untrue, is the film’s version of incidents, sensationalizing incredible brutality and cannibalism. So let’s unfold this unbelievable Asian tale of “Catch Me If You Can”, splattered in blood and severed body parts.

Wong Chi Hang is quite the restauranteur. With a limited staff including hostess Pearl and new waiter (who observes a cheating Wong during a game of Mahjong), this murdering owner will cease at nothing to protect his business and more importantly…his illegally acquired wealth. All the while, he boastfully puts out the best handmade BBQ pork buns in town.

When a group of bumbling police officers are called onto a beach to scope out a discovered bag of rotting limbs, their comical performances step into high gear as they enter Wong’s world of wicked maliciousness.

Anthony Wong (who portrays the repugnant Wong) is ferocious in all functionalities. The newly hired waiter’s employment is short lived when confronting the owner of his underhanded ways to con others out of money. Pearl’s fate follows suit when her loyalty ends and Wong’s rage emerges in an excruciatingly violent end with a handful of chopsticks. All I can say is ouch!

While the humor ensues amongst the detectives, they begin to focus in on Wong’s criminal activity, including the status of Eight Immortals Restaurant’s previous owner, Cheng Lam, through letters sent by his incarcerated brother, Cheng Poon.

Unfolding the layers of deceit and brutality that all trace back to Wong, the relentless torture bestowed upon him in jail would often speak to the sensitive side of a compassionate person. Until the outlined massacre of Cheng and his family is brought to the table (pun intended) and the pure viciousness of Wong leads to a frustrating ending.

The Untold Story is unforgiving, callous and violent in every way you can imagine.
But that’s what also makes it so damn good.

OVERALL: 
Although set in the mid 80’s, The Untold Story still holds up to the cruel and disturbing horror fan currently evolving. Wong’s immoral compass alone will choke you throughout the movie until the final selfish act that may (or may not?) leave you bothered by the outcome. At least he stays in full character from the very beginning, when he sets a man on fire – unchanged and heartless.


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