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Those Were the Days (2000) movie poster

Timeline

Those Were the Days (2000) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2000 · 100 mins · Cantonese
Directed by
Raymond Yip
Starring
Anthony Wong, Sandra Ng Kwan Yue, Michael Tse Tin-Wah, Gigi Leung Wing-Kei, Jordan Chan Siu-Chun, Ekin Cheng Yee-Kin

Directed by Raymond Yip and released in 2000, this Hong Kong film serves as a spin‑off and prequel to the Young and Dangerous series, tracing the early life of Chicken Chiu (Jordan Chan) before he becomes a triad member under boss Chan Ho Nam (Ekin Cheng).

Romance Crime Action Drama Cast, crew & box office
On this page (4)
  1. 1 Events in order (12)
  2. 2 Timeline questions answered
  3. 3 Movie threads
  4. 4 Every angle

12 events in order · contains spoilers

Those Were the Days Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Those Were the Days (2000) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Present-day anniversary frames the story

    On their 35th wedding anniversary, Petey and Martha recall how they first met in college. The memory frames the rest of the story as they discuss the choices that led to their life together. The scene sets a reflective mood that threads through the flashback.

    When
    Present day
    Where
    Present day

  2. Petey arrives at college as a wealthy newcomer

    Petey Simmons arrives at college as a wealthy newcomer. Rival fraternities immediately scramble to court him, and his ego swells as they bid for his time. The energized campus atmosphere foreshadows the trouble and charm to come.

    When
    Early college days
    Where
    College campus

  3. Fraternity rivalry escalates

    Rival fraternities compete fiercely for Petey's attention, amplifying the social carousel on campus. Petey enjoys the attention from both fraternity members and many girls, feeding his growing ego. The competition sets the stage for his later schemes and romances.

    When
    During early college days
    Where
    College campus

  4. Dance night and the date mix-up

    At a school dance, Petey's shy roommate invites Mirabel Allstairs to be his date. Petey ignores his own date, Martha Scroggs, and dances with other girls instead. This moment seeds a complicated arc that will influence his choices later.

    When
    Dance night in college
    Where
    School dance

  5. Petey's pranks begin

    Petey, who had previously been arrested, starts pulling campus pranks such as changing a professor's clocks to delay an exam. The stunts announce his defiant streak and hint at the consequences to come. The campus community begins to view him as both entertaining and trouble-prone.

    When
    Earlier in college career
    Where
    College campus

  6. Vandalism leads to another arrest

    A later act of vandalism escalates his trouble and results in another arrest. The incident heightens tension with authorities and demonstrates the seriousness of his antics. It marks a turning point toward more severe consequences.

    When
    Later in college
    Where
    Town/campus

  7. The judge's six-month sentence

    In court, the judge's temper boils over and he threatens to throw the book at Petey. The formal sentencing looming over him lays down a harsh consequence. The threat signals a pivotal moment that tests Petey's future.

    When
    During sentencing
    Where
    Courtroom

  8. Continuance and the Martha revelation

    Petey asks for a week's continuance before sentencing, hoping to salvage something. During this window, he learns that Martha is the judge's daughter, which sharpens his resolve to pursue her. This revelation reshapes his plans and intentions.

    When
    Before sentencing
    Where
    Courtroom and campus

  9. Scheme revealed and jailed

    The scheme comes to light, and the judge, furious, locks Petey in the town jail. The confrontation crystallizes the clash between Petey's impulses and the judge's authority. The dramatic moment intensifies the romance's stakes.

    When
    After the continuance
    Where
    Town jail

  10. Martha's jailhouse move

    Martha, smitten with Petey, is intentionally arrested so she can share the jail cell with him. She holds his hand between the bars, signifying a bond that has deepened despite (or because of) the consequences. The scene seals their growing connection.

    When
    During jail scene
    Where
    Town jail

  11. Flashback ends; present-day reflections begin

    The flashback ends and in the present day, the old judge still cannot believe how his daughter and son-in-law came together. The memory lingers as the family reflects on their unlikely romance. The narrative returns to the present with the couple's enduring bond.

    When
    Present day
    Where
    Present day

  12. Petey Jr. arrest rumor reaches present day

    They also learn that Petey Jr. has just been arrested, and the judge is not surprised by the development. The news echoes the family’s legacy of trouble and resilience. The story closes with the sense that history may repeat itself in unexpected ways.

    When
    Present day
    Where
    Present day

Last updated: January 28, 2026 at 12:45

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Timeline questions answered

Those Were the Days Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Those Were the Days (2000): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Petey ignore Martha at the college dance?

Petey was swept up in the attention he received from rival fraternities and multiple girls at the dance. As a wealthy newcomer, he enjoyed the social status and deliberately chose to dance with other girls instead of his date Martha, ignoring her completely.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, the story sets up that Petey's ego swells quickly from the attention he receives on campus.

  • petey simmons
  • martha dance
  • college dance
  • ignored date
  • fraternity attention
Q2

How did Petey discover Martha was the judge's daughter?

During the one-week continuance before his sentencing, Petey investigated and learned that Martha is the daughter of the judge who presided over his case. This revelation gave him a strategic reason to pursue her beyond mere attraction.

Foreshadowing: The judge's threatening sentence at court sets up the stakes for Petey's discovery.

  • martha father
  • judge daughter
  • petey discovers
  • continuance
  • sentencing
Q3

Why did Martha have herself arrested to share a cell with Petey?

Martha was moved by Petey's persistence and genuine interest in her despite initially ignoring her at the dance. By getting arrested intentionally, she demonstrated her own commitment and created an intimate moment with Petey, allowing their relationship to deepen through shared adversity.

Foreshadowing: The setup shows Martha was 'smitten' with Petey even after he ignored her.

  • martha arrested
  • jail cell
  • romantic gesture
  • shared cell
  • commitment
Q4

Why did the judge lock Petey in jail after discovering his scheme?

The judge was furious when Petey's scheme to win over his daughter came to light. As a father and authority figure, he saw Petey's manipulation as disrespectful and potentially harmful to Martha, so he used his power to confine Petey as a form of punishment and protection.

Foreshadowing: The judge's threat to 'throw the book' at Petey earlier established his protective nature.

  • judge anger
  • petey jailed
  • father protective
  • scheme exposed
  • jail sentence
Q5

What made the judge accept Petey as his son-in-law?

Martha's own bold action of getting arrested to be with Petey demonstrated her serious intentions and love. This convinced the judge that their connection was genuine rather than Petey simply manipulating the system, ultimately earning his acceptance of their relationship.

Foreshadowing: The judge's earlier fury transforms when he witnesses Martha's devotion.

  • judge approval
  • marriage acceptance
  • daughter love
  • family blessing
  • son-in-law
Q6

How did Petey change from a troublemaking prankster to a committed husband?

Through his pursuit of Martha, Petey experienced genuine emotional growth. The challenges with the judge, Martha's unwavering affection, and the consequences of his actions forced him to mature. His college rebellion evolved into a lifelong commitment that lasted 35 years.

Foreshadowing: The escalating pranks and arrests set up the contrast with his later stability.

  • petey transformation
  • growth
  • maturity
  • rebellion to commitment
  • marriage
Q7

Why isn't the judge surprised when Petey Jr. gets arrested?

The judge sees history repeating itself, Petey himself was a troublemaker in college who got arrested multiple times. The arrest of their son feels like a natural extension of the family's legacy, suggesting the cycle continues with the next generation.

Foreshadowing: Petey's own college arrests and the judge's earlier lenient treatment set this precedent.

  • petey jr arrest
  • family legacy
  • history repeats
  • generational
  • not surprised
Q8

Why did Petey ask for a continuance before his sentencing?

Facing a six-month jail sentence from the angry judge, Petey asked for a one-week continuance to have time to take action before being imprisoned. This window allowed him to pursue Martha and attempt to change his circumstances.

Foreshadowing: The judge's threat of harsh sentencing creates the urgency for Petey's request.

  • continuance request
  • jail sentence
  • one week
  • sentencing delay
  • desperation
Q9

How did the college romance lead to a 35-year marriage?

The intense early events, the arrests, the jailhouse connection, and the judge's eventual acceptance, cemented their bond. The memories of their unconventional beginning became a meaningful part of their shared history, and their present-day reflections on their past choices reinforce the strength of their lasting marriage.

Foreshadowing: The present-day anniversary framing shows their successful long-term union.

  • long marriage
  • college romance
  • duration
  • lasting love
  • 30 years
Q10

Why are the arrests played for comedy instead of drama?

The film treats arrests as comedic plot devices rather than serious consequences. This aligns with the movie's light, romantic tone and whimsical mood, where youthful rebellion serves as entertainment rather than a source of genuine tragedy or moral weight.

  • comedic arrests
  • tone
  • humor
  • youthful rebellion
  • lighthearted

Movie threads

More Movies Like Those Were the Days, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Those Were the Days tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Mischief-Filled Romances like Those Were the Days

Charming stories where love blossoms through playful schemes and youthful antics. Discover more movies like Those Were the Days where charming romantic comedies feature playful schemes, college antics, and a lighthearted, mischievous courtship between an unlikely couple.

  • romantic
  • whimsical
  • mischievous
  • playful
  • sentimental
  • charming
  • Tone: light, whimsical, playful
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread follow a charming but slightly wayward protagonist who sets out to win over a more straight-laced love interest through a series of comedic plots and pranks. External conflicts like authority figures or societal differences provide gentle obstacles, but the core of the story is the playful, evolving dynamic between the two leads, leading to an uplifting conclusion.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared light tone, moderate intensity, and focus on romantic whimsy. They prioritize clever, playful interactions over serious drama, creating a consistently fun and sentimental viewing experience centered on the thrill of a youthful, mischievous romance.

The Romancing Star movie poster

The Romancing Star

1987
Mischief movie poster

Mischief

1985
Lucky Partners movie poster

Lucky Partners

1940
Head Over Heels movie poster

Head Over Heels

2001
Breakin' All the Rules movie poster

Breakin' All the Rules

2004
Love Is News movie poster

Love Is News

1937
Addicted to Love movie poster

Addicted to Love

1997
School for Scoundrels movie poster

School for Scoundrels

2006

Youthful Prequel Stories like Those Were the Days

Films that explore the formative, often lighter-hearted beginnings of iconic characters. Find more movies similar to Those Were the Days that are lighthearted prequels exploring the youthful origins and formative romantic adventures of characters from a larger series.

  • reminiscent
  • sentimental
  • youthful
  • origin story
  • formative years
  • nostalgic
  • Tone: light, reminiscent, sentimental
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives are structured as 'how they met' or 'how it began' stories. They re-contextualize known characters by showing their simpler, more innocent beginnings, often highlighting a key romance or friendship that defined their path. The tone is usually lighter than the main series, focusing on character development and foundational moments with a sense of nostalgic charm.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here by their shared function as a prequel that explores a character's origin with a lighter, more romantic, and less intense tone than their later stories. They share a steady pace, straightforward complexity, and a focus on youthful energy and sentimental reminiscence.

The Princess Diaries movie poster

The Princess Diaries

2001
Premaloka movie poster

Premaloka

1987
That Certain Age movie poster

That Certain Age

1938
Mischief movie poster

Mischief

1985
Chasing Liberty movie poster

Chasing Liberty

2004
Adventures in the Sin Bin movie poster

Adventures in the Sin Bin

2013
First Love movie poster

First Love

1939
Courier movie poster

Courier

1986

Every angle

Those Were the Days (2000) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Those Were the Days in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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