I loved this film. It's got a great storyline, and engaging leads.

Chow Yun-Fat is an idealistic Northerner (and God is he sexy) who wants to go to America. He lives with his uncle, who hates him, and gets work in a factory, where he strikes up a friendship with Alex Man, and his girlfriend Cecilia Yip. Their world is turned upside down when the Japanese invade Hong Kong.

Chow Yun-Fat is perfectly cast, with the chemistry between him and Cecilia Yip very obvious, and Alex Man, for once, doesn't cry but acts :) The story is touching without being sentimental, and the ending is very tragic. There's some gruesome parts in this-Wu Ma as the diabolical, crippled turncoat places dynamite in an unfortunate prisoner's ears then sets it off, and while the man is screaming and running about, Wu Ma uses him as target practice. But these moments are rare. Overall, this is a beautiful film, and a definite must-see.