A band of fighting Ming Dynasty loyalists branded as enemies of the state are driven underground following the burning of the Shaolin Temple by Qing Dynasty officials. Due to a misunderstanding, Shaolin kung fu prodigy Fong Sai-yuk is duped into helping Qing agents to capture leading Shaolin rebel Hung Hei-gun. Upon discovering his mistake, Sai-yuk teams up with the remaining rebels to free Hei-gun before his planned execution. Plotting to stop them is General Che Kang, a formidable Tibetan kung fu master who commands an army of fighters including four deadly Tibetan llamas.
Stunts
Chen Kuan-Tai and Fu Sheng actually took those hits. No wires, no mercy.
Direction
Chang Cheh's trademark masculine melodrama cranked to eleven.
Practical Effects
Four Tibetan llamas as assassins. Yes, actual llamas. Shaw Brothers didn't care.
Director
Chang Cheh
Chen Kuan-Tai
Hung Hsi Kuan
Alexander Fu Sheng
Fang Shih Yu
Fong Sam
3rd Sister
Chu Mu
General Che Kang
Wong Ching
Lord Teh Hsiang
Bruce Tong Yim-Chaan
Nien Shui Ching
Chiang Nan
Ho Chu Chen
Wu Chi-Chin
Li Shih Chung
Fung Hak-On
Hsiang Chao Hui
Lau Kar-Wing
Tibetan Fighter in Red (uncredited)
Huang Pei-Chih
Tibetan Fighter in Red
Chan Chuen
Tibetan Fighter in Red
Lee Hoi-Sang
Tibetan Fighter in Red (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This launched the 'Shaolin Cycle' that defined 1970s kung fu cinema and cemented the Fong Sai-yuk/Hung Hei-gun partnership still referenced in modern films like 1993's 'The Legend of Fong Sai-yuk'.
The 'Tibetan llamas' were indeed four actual llamas on set—Shaw Brothers' animal wranglers just went with it when the script called for exotic assassins. They reportedly spat on Chen Kuan-Tai between takes.
HK
