'' The Killer '' was first released in Taiwan in March 1989 with a running time of 124 minutes . It was then cut to its current running time of 110 minutes and released in Hong Kong on 6 July 1989 , Woo felt this cut was " much better " . The film was not an immediate success in Hong Kong due to the Tiananmen Square massacre but eventually gained fame , grossing $ 18,255,083 and reached ninth at the 1989 Hong Kong box office . At the 9th Hong Kong Film Awards , the film won for Best Director ( John Woo ) and Best Editing ( Fan Kung Ming ) and was also nominated for Best Picture , Best Supporting Actor ( Paul Chu Kong ) , Best Screenplay ( Woo ) and Best Cinematography ( Wong Wing Hang and Peter Pau ) . '' The Killer '' was popular in Korea taking seventh highest place in the year end box office receipts
9th Hong Kong Film Awards
9th Hong Kong Film Awards
The Killer (1989 film)