In a dystopian future, capitalist countries have privatised all government agencies, including prison. Martial arts prodigy Ricky (Louis Fan) rages against thugs and is sent to a prison managed by a corrupt assistant warden (Fan’s father Fan Mei-sheng). Now the righteous Ricky must punch his way out of the clink, which is under the tyrannical fists of four ruthless inmates.

A cult favorite in Hong Kong and abroad, director Nam Nai-choi’s adaptation of the eponymous Japanese manga is best remembered for its ultraviolent action sequences and eye-popping practical effects. The muscular Louis Fan exudes the sort of stoic charisma that perfectly encapsulates the bloody earnest hero who… hmm… takes no prisoners.

Nam Nai-choi (b. 1952, Hong Kong) entered the film industry as a lighting assistant at the Shaw Brothers Studio before becoming a cinematographer. He made his solo directorial debut with One Way Only (1981), followed by Brothers from the Walled City (1982). He has directed several Hong Kong-Japan co-productions, including Peacock King (1988). His last film is The Cat (1992), an adaptation of Hong Kong sci-fi writer Ni Kuang’s novel Old Cat.