Is The Story of a Discharged Prisoner Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1967)

📖 The Core Premise

The Story of a Discharged Prisoner returns to the screen in 1967, bringing a fresh narrative to the various genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Lee Jwo Horng is fresh out of jail after doing time for 15 years. By then his fiancée Betty has already become the mistress of triad boss One-Eye Jack. Lee doesn't want his younger brother Chih Shen to look down upon him, so he decides to keep his release a secret from Chih Shen, and finds accommodation with his friend Ah Han instead. Jack forces Lee to team up with him again for more criminal jobs, but, determined to clean up his act and stay out of trouble, Lee doesn't yield to his pressure. Jack then turns his attention to Chih Shen and lures him to the dark side instead..."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. While not a career-best, Patrick Tse Yin's presence adds a necessary stability to the proceedings. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good cinema. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is The Story of a Discharged Prisoner worth your time? If you appreciate various films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, The Story of a Discharged Prisoner is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 118 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.