Long Arm of the Law III

Long Arm of the Law III

Year: 1989

Runtime: 107 mins

Language: Cantonese

Director: Michael Mak Tong-Kit

ActionCrime

After escaping from death row, an ex‑soldier flees to Hong Kong, only to have the woman he loves abducted by a ruthless criminal gang. Pressured to repay the kidnapping, he is compelled to work for the gang, drawing him into a violent underworld while he fights to rescue her.

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Timeline & Setting – Long Arm of the Law III (1989)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Long Arm of the Law III (1989). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

China, Hong Kong, Panama

The story unfolds across China, Hong Kong, and Panama, highlighting crowded streets, docks, and hidden hideouts used by criminals. It begins in China where Cheung-kong is falsely accused, moves to the neon-lit crime world of Hong Kong, and ends with a hopeful escape to Panama. The settings emphasize cross-border crime, debt, and the constant pursuit by law enforcement.

🌆 Urban centers 🚨 Underworld 🗺️ Transnational movement

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:52

Main Characters – Long Arm of the Law III (1989)

Meet the key characters of Long Arm of the Law III (1989), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Li Cheung Kong (Andy Lau)

A skilled fighter who is falsely accused of robbery in China, he escapes execution and flees to Hong Kong. His journey traces his descent into the criminal underworld while clinging to a growing love for Moon. He is torn between self-preservation and a code of loyalty to those he cares about.

🗡️ Protagonist 🥊 Fighter 💔 Romantic 🔒 Outlaw

Moon / Seung Mun (Elizabeth Lee)

Moon is sold into prostitution to repay debts after Cheung Kong's arrival in Hong Kong. She becomes the emotional center of Cheung Kong's conflict, enduring exploitation while supporting their escape. Her resilience and vulnerability shape much of the film's moral tension.

💞 Love interest 🕵️‍♀️ Survivor 👩‍❤️‍👨 Complex relationship

Chicken Heart (Max Mok Siu-Chung)

A loyal gang member who partners with Cheung-kong; his brother dies protecting him, amplifying the stakes. He faces dangerous twists and ultimately dies during the escape with Moon.

🫢 Sidekick 🗡️ Violence 🕯️ Death

Master Leung (Kirk Wong Chi-Keung)

Triad boss who notices Cheung-kong's combat skills and brings him into a debt-enslaved plot. He manipulates Cheung-kong, orchestrates captures, and creates obstacles for Moon’s safety.

💼 Boss 🕹️ Manipulation 🗝️ Power

Master Cheuk (Stephen Chan Tak-Gwong)

Leads a jewel robber gang and arranges Cheung-kong to work with his crew. He becomes a volatile rival who clashes with Cheung-kong and endangers Moon.

🧭 Leader 💥 Crime 🗃️ Heist

Mo Heung-yeung (Officer Mo)

A police officer who pursues Cheung-kong and reluctantly enforces the law in Hong Kong, pursuing the criminal through intense gunfights and interrogations. He embodies the friction between law and crime.

👮‍♂️ Law & order 🕵️‍♂️ Pursuit 💥 Confrontation

Senior Police Officer

Mo's superior who is involved in the broader pursuit and sometimes obstacles Cheung-kong faces within the legal system. The dynamic highlights the complexity of policing in a crime-ridden landscape.

👮 Authority ⚖️ System 🧭 Conflict

Brothel Boss

Runs the establishment Moon is forced to work in; part of the exploitation Cheung-kong fights against. The boss becomes an antagonist in Cheung-kong's mission to rescue Moon.

🏨 Oppressor 💰 Exploitation 🕊️ Control

Leung's Thug

Leung's enforcer who participates in capers, surveillance, and brutal acts to maintain control over Moon and the crew.

🗡️ Enforcer ⚔️ Threat 🧰 Associate

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:52

Major Themes – Long Arm of the Law III (1989)

Explore the central themes of Long Arm of the Law III (1989), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💸 Crime & Corruption

The film centers on a web of crime, coercion, and manipulation by triad bosses who exploit Cheung-kong and Moon. It shows how false accusations, debt, and greed propel characters into violent schemes, from brothels to jewel heists. Corruption threads through police complicity and the criminals’ influence on the legal system, shaping every decision.

❤️ Love & Loyalty

Moon and Cheung-kong form a fragile bond amid danger and exploitation. Love motivates his risky choices, from rescuing Moon to protecting their escape route. The relationship provides human stakes against the brutality of the underworld, even as it endures threats and betrayal.

🧭 Escape & Survival

Cheung-kong survives by relying on combat prowess, quick thinking, and shifting loyalties. He negotiates with triads, dodges police, and makes dangerous alliances to stay alive and protect Moon. The chase spans multiple hideouts and culminates in a dangerous plan to break free.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:52

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Long Arm of the Law III Summary

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Long Arm of the Law III Summary

Long Arm of the Law III Timeline

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Long Arm of the Law III Timeline

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