Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsOne of those movies that define the martial arts genre!!!
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2017
It seems like everyone who knows a little bit of kung fu movies have seen this & rightfully so. This is probably the 3rd most recognizable films of the entire genre ranking right behind 5 (Deadly) Venoms & King Boxer (otherwise known in the US as 5 Fingers of Death). Of course I'm excluding the Bruce Lee catalog of movies which speaks for themselves.
The movie is about a shipment of gold needed to help the famine area. Famed swordsman Yang Hu Yun (Sun Chien) is in charge of its safe passage there. Assisting him is Long Axe (Shu Pei Sun) & Short Axe (Chiang Sheng), another famous swordsman LI Chin Ming (Wei Pai) & his girlfriend (Pan Pin Chang) & the wine-drinking magnificent Agent Hai To (Kuo Choi). Of course there's a group of bandits called the Chi Sau Gang who are trying to get their hands on the gold at any cost. The gang is led by Golden Arm (Lo Mang) & members also include Silver Spear (Lu Feng), Iron Robe (Wang Lung Wei) & Brass Head (Yang Hsiung).
A lot of booby traps & trickery ensued as well as some fine martial arts skills. I thought everyone for the most part was on par, especially Lo Mang & Kuo Choi. Wei Pai's part was a little weak, but he played the role of a proud egotistical swordsman very well. When you have a lot of good action & just enough humor in it, you have a definite classic on your hand & that's what director Chang Cheh has here. If you're one of the few humans who haven't witnessed this film for yourself (either as a newbie fan or not), go view it & prepare to be hooked for life!
