After a gang massacre that resulted in the killing of his adopted father and gang leader, a martial artist goes into exile to take the blame. A year later, his gang is mysteriously trying to kill him, and he slowly discovers why.
Stunts
Chang Cheh's signature 'heroic bloodshed' before John Woo existed.
Cinematography
Crimson-drenched sets that look like violent opera stages.
Acting
David Chiang's smirk could start a war.
Director
Chang Cheh
Ti Lung
Tang Jen Chieh
Wang Ping
Hu Di
Yue Wai
Ah Shiou
David Chiang Da-Wei
Chien Nan, the Rambler
Chuan Yuan
Kan Wen Pin
Yang Chi-Ching
Shen Tian Hung
Ku Feng
Tang Jen Lin
Cheng Kang-Yeh
Hsiao Mao
Ha Wai
Ling Tze, Factory Working Girl
Hoh Ban
Liu Shou Yi
Wong Ching-Ho
Jau Hai Shan
Hong Liu
Shiu Li
Wong Chung
Gan's Man
Wang Kuang-Yu
Liou Song
Liu Gang
Lin Ding Wu
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Chang Cheh pioneered 'yang gang' films celebrating male brotherhood over romance, directly opposing the 'wen' scholarly tradition in Chinese cinema.
Ti Lung and David Chiang became Shaw Brothers' most bankable duo after this; their real-life friendship mirrored their on-screen bond.
HK
