Two bumbling swordsmen babysit a royal infant while every assassin in China wants them dead. Chaos ensues.
After the Ming Emperor is overthrown and his infant son put in the care of the Black Dragon Society, a traitorous martial arts clan attacks the society and forces two inexperienced swordsmen to flee with the infant and begin a dangerous journey in search of allies.
Stunts
Cheng Pei-Pei's pre-Crouching Tiger wirework mastery.
Costume
Black Dragon Society robes that scream 'we're definitely evil.'
Practical Effects
Every explosion was REAL and probably terrified the crew.
Director
Lo Wei
Cheng Pei-Pei
Shangguan Xiuyi
Elliot Ngok Wah
Zhou Feiyun
Wu Fung
Jin Zhenxiong
Lo Wei
Shangguan Hou
Tien Feng
Yancang
Pan Ai-Lun
Yu Huajiao
Yang Chi-Ching
Mo Wentian
Ouyang Sha-Fei
Mrs. Bai
Li Kun
Little Beggar
Tong Ching
Niu Niu
Lee Sau-Kei
Old Monster
Kao Ming
Zhu Siwen
Ku Wen-Chung
Doctor Ku
Hong Liu
Yancang's Thug
Erh Chun
Xiaoshun
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Cheng Pei-Pei's second film with Lo Wei; she'd later become Shaw Brothers' first major female action star before Hollywood discovered her in Crouching Tiger.
The 'protect the royal heir' plot mirrors actual Ming loyalist resistance during the Qing transition, a favorite nationalist trope in wuxia that let filmmakers sneak political commentary past censors.
HK
