An exemplary example of what mid-70s Shaw Brothers filmmaking was like: quick entry into a basic story and then scene after scene of eye-popping kung fu. The film is directed by and stars the GREAT Lau Kar-leung (HEROES OF THE EAST, 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN, CHALLENGE OF THE MASTERS) who just knocks it out of the park. Elaborately staged martial arts sequences are interspersed amongst slightly comedic scenes of drama and the resulting film is pretty damn amazing (especially the final duel scene). Also starring the legendary Gordon Liu (aka Chia Hui Liu) who gives it his earnest best, but it is Lau Kar-leung who steals the show. I don’t know why this film doesn’t get more love… I mean, this is a CLASSIC of its genre! Anyway, yeah… HIGHLY recommended even for people who don’t like chop-socky movies.
4 out of 5 stars
~ Thom Carnell
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