The last survivor, a mysterious swordswoman, and a conspiracy that swallowed the martial arts world whole.
The lovely Fire Pheonix comes to the rescue of a young man who is the last survivor after his family has been killed. The entire Martial Arts World is dragged into the ensuing turmoil. Ambushed at every turn, our heroes must find a clue to the murders. Who is friend? Who is foe? Who is behind this fiendish plot? What mysterious kung fu will the enemies unleash next?
Stunts
Pre-wire fu acrobatics that actually required athleticism.
Costume
Fire Phoenix's red ensemble: camp iconography done right.
Editing
Chaotic fight cuts that somehow clarify rather than confuse.
Director
Hsiao Mu
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Shih Szu was reportedly paid in dried seafood for early roles; by 1978 she'd graduated to actual currency.
The 'third sword' of the title refers to a weapon never shown on screen, a common wuxia marketing trick.
TW
