Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

Your blood may run cold, but you now find yourself pinioned to the story.

The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

Rated R for violence.Hong Kong 1941 is an early Chow Yun Fat film.Today in north America, Chow Yun Fat is known for his action films such as Hard Boiled, The Killer,The Replacement Killers and The Corrupter.I rented this film from blockbuster expecting quite a bit of action.This is not an action film.It is a war/drama film.The film has good acting and a good storyline and people who aren't looking for action would like this film, though there are some fairly violent and bloody scenes.I saw this film about two years ago.The film is basically about the lives of three people during the Japanese occupation of hong kong in the year 1941.Hong Kong 1941 has good acting and a good story but it is a tad bit boring and not what you would expect from Chow Yun Fat.

I must have missed something when I watched this one because despite having some excellent poetic and dramatic moments, there weren't enough to put it over the top.Hong Kong filmmakers have thankfully put the run run shaw cookie cutter chop sockie days behind them and this was one of the 1st full breaks from that gender. the growing pains show however, just something lacking. there weren't very many Japanese either despite the title.I've been to Hong Kong twice and there are places you can *still* see the pockmarks from where the bullets hit in the December 1941 invasion. the same month as pearl harbour bombing so the Japanese were being very aggressive. thats what I expected instead it was just a backdrop to a romance drama. I wish they would spell it out on the DVD box !!!

Hong Kong 1941 (Waiting for Day Break) is a little gem that every one must find! The Cinematography is just perfect! every shot looks great... the Actors are all great! (not just Chow) This movie won a few Golden Horse awards too... for best Cinematography and best Actor... which it deserves :)Any way... go buy the Hong Kong Legends DVD of this baby right now!!! GO! :P

A quiet, solid film about three young people caught up in the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong. Filmed as if it were originally a stage play, the story focuses on the relationships which develop between the three main characters as they fight to keep their dignity when faced with the physical and emotional terrors of war.This is a good one to rent for a quiet afternoon in front of the television. There are some violent scenes (after all, it takes place in a land invaded by a foreign army) but not overly graphic. Cecilia Yip gives an understated performance; Chow Yun-Fat is seen here in his pre-superstar days but does well in a somewhat sparse role.