Winners and Sinners

Five friends are released from prison and try to keep a low profile, but business life proves just as tricky as prison life. They run a modest cleaning service called the 5-Star Cleaning Service, hoping to leave crime behind and rebuild trust among neighbors. When rival Triad factions start fighting over a counterfeit currency scheme, the informal group finds itself pulled into the chaos, using their street smarts and stubborn humor to dodge more trouble than they bargained for. The film zips between fast action sequences and quick-witted banter, letting each character bring their own brand of mischief to the table. Teapot, Exhaust Pipe, Rookie, Curly and Vaseline each bring a plan while their loyalty keeps them tight and ready.

Directed by Sammo Hung Kam-Bo, 1983's Winners and Sinners blends martial arts with comedy. Scripted by Barry Wong Ping-Yiu and James Wong Jim, it showcases Hung's kinetic energy and Hong Kong ensemble, using tight takes, synced fight sequences, and banter.

Box office figures for the film are not widely published, but it earned a solid domestic return and helped cement Sammo Hung's reputation for blending laughs with stunts. It remains a favorite among fans of the era worldwide today still.

The movie sits among the late 80s Hong Kong action comedy wave that mixes street energy with martial bravado. The ensemble, including Richard Ng, Stanley Fung, and John Shum, helped define buddy capers with crime underworld color and deft humor, influencing later cross genre thrillers. It also helped spark tributes.

Critics praised the film for its brisk pace, character chemistry, and inventive stunt work, balancing a crime premise with lighthearted antics. The story probes loyalty and grit in a setting where friendship often clashes with criminal temptations, while humor underlines resilience and a stubborn optimism that threads through each caper.