Directed by: Philip Chan, Ricky Lau
Written by: Barry Wong
Starring: Sammo Hung, David Chiang, Jacky Cheung, Joey Wong
Year: 1986
Country: Hong Kong
Running time: 88mins
BBFC Classification: 15
Cracking action comedy from the 1980s Sammo Hung wheelhouse, may not be as well known as some of his classics such as Wheels on Meals or Dragons Forever, but is worthy of seeking out or rediscovering courtesy of this brand-new remaster from 88 Films. Hung plays Tuba, an amiable cop who plays, yep, the tuba in the police band: something he would much rather be doing than actually catching criminals. However, when he’s on an undercover mission with supercop Chow (David Chiang), Tuba promises the dying Chow, who is fatally wounded on the mission, that he will avenge Chow and catch his killers. Something Chow holds him to by coming back as a ghost that only Tuba can see, to help him complete his mission.
What ensues is comedy and chaos as Chow interrupts Tuba’s life at the most inappropriate times, usually when he’s trying to romance the manager of a local supermarket (Joey Wong). There’s also Jacky Cheung’s over enthusiastic rookie cop who so desperately wants to be a supercop like Chow despite always being denied the opportunity or given the most menial of tasks. He and Tuba eventually join forces to take on the bad guys who slayed their former superior in a fight packed finale.
While Hung may not be on directing duties here (that job going to Philip Chan and Ricky Lau) his fingerprints and charisma are all over the film, Tuba the perfect role for his affectionate comedy stylings. The film is a hoot, with Hung ably performing all kinds of slapstick shenanigans as Chiang’s ghost cop constantly takes control of Tuba’s body. It’s all very silly and broad and typical of the Hong Kong comedies of the time and with a tone that flits from silly ghostly capers to violent action to intricate martial arts, Where’s Officer Tuba packs in a lot.
While a comedy first and foremost, Hung and the gang still jam in a good amount of action opening the film with an awesome truck chase and the final is packed with some glorious fight action that shows Hung and his ilk at the top of their game. The fights are fierce and ferocious, razor sharp in their execution and the big action blowout in the finale is worth the wait. The tone may be a bit wayward for those not used to Hong Kong action comedies from back in the day but for those who love and appreciate these kinds of films, Where’s Officer Tuba is a gem. Fast, funny, and fight packed, this is heyday Sammo hung firing on all cylinders.
88 Films will release Where’s officer Tuba? on Limited-Edition Blu-ray 26th October 2026.
LIMITED EDITION FEATURES:
- DOUBLE-WALLED O-RING FEATURING NEW ARTWORK BY SEAN LONGMORE – not available at time of review.
- REMOVABLE U-CARD LEAVING THE O-RING FREE OF MARKINGS – not available at time of review.
- DOUBLE-SIDED FOLDOUT POSTER – not available at time of review.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
- HD (1080p) Blu-ray presentation from a 2K Remaster of the original camera negative
- Cantonese Mono with English subtitles
- English Mono
the film looks and sounds fantastic, the fight scenes in particular looking as crisp as they’ve ever been. It may be a silly film overall in concept but Sammo Hung still used to shoot his films with craft and care, and it shows in this new restoration. - Audio commentary by Hong Kong experts Frank Djeng and F.J. DeSanto – typically interesting and fact packed commentary from two of Asian cinema’s finest experts.
- English opening and closing credits – English only credits in different, larger font and featuring the film’s fun alternative title, Supercop’s Spirit.
- Original Cantonese trailer – fun retro trailer that plays up the mix of comedy and action.
- Image gallery – nice collection of promotional and behind the scenes stills and posters.
- Reversible sleeve featuring original Hong Kong art – not available at time of review.
