John Woo Timeline

By TheYams
  • Birth

    Birth

    John Woo was born in Guangzhou, China on September 22nd, marking the beginning of his life and background.
  • Moves to Hong Kong

    Moves to Hong Kong

    His family moved to Hong Kong to escape the civil war. This matters because Hong Kong is where he grew up and discovered film.
  • Starts Working in Film

    Starts Working in Film

    He became an assistant director in the Hong Kong film industry. This is important because it shows how he first entered filmmaking.
  • First Big Film: Hand of Death

    First Big Film: Hand of Death

    He directed one of his early martial-arts movies. This event helped him gain recognition. (Featuring a young Jackie Chan)
  • Breakthrough with A Better Tomorrow

    Breakthrough with A Better Tomorrow

    This movie became a huge hit in Hong Kong. This is important because it made him famous and defined the "heroic bloodshed" style.
  • The Killer

    The Killer

    He made The Killer, one of his most iconic action films. This matters because it showed his unique style and gained global attention.
  • Hard Boiled

    Hard Boiled

    He made another major action classic. This is important because it pushed him to international fame.
  • Moves to Hollywood

    Moves to Hollywood

    In 1993 he moved to the United States to work on bigger films in Hollywood which is a place specially dedicated to film.
  • Face/Off

    Face/Off

    He directed Face/Off, a huge Hollywood hit. This is important because it proved he could succeed in American cinema.
  • Mission: Impossible 2

    Mission: Impossible 2

    Directed the second Mil movie, which became a major box-office success. This matters because it was one of his biggest Hollywood films. (featuring Tom Cruise, who is also one of my favorite actors)
  • Windtalkers

    Windtalkers

    Made a World War Il film starring Nicolas Cage.
    This is important because it showed he had the ability to direct different genres of film.
  • Red Cliff

    Red Cliff

    Returned to China and created a massive historical epic. This matters because it became one of the highest-grossing Chinese movies ever.
  • The Crossing

    The Crossing

    Directed a two-part historical drama. This is important because it showed his shift to more emotional storytelling.
  • Silent Night

    Silent Night

    Released Silent Night, a no-dialogue action film.
    This matters because it showed he's still creative and innovative.
  • Present Day

    Present Day

    John Woo continues to direct and produce films.
    This is important because his influence on action movies still continues today.