An instant classic of the Wuxia genre. It features it all. Bad ass martial arts, bloody deaths, great locations, many zoom shots, and gorgeous women (Lily Ho Li Li & Shu Pei Pei). And yes I saw it because of Ho Li Li, but then I have vowed to get every film she was in. Sure I would never mistake her for a guy when she dresses as a wondering swordsman, but hey that is to be expected. Another Shaw classic, and really a must see.

There are 5 clans each with a book with a special martial arts skill handed down from the great master. When the old master was handing the plans down, Ho Li Li’s father was late, and he and the old master were killed. Now a woman in a mask is attacking the other schools and stealing their books. Ho Li Li is blamed because she wants to revenge for her father’s death, so she with the help of her master in the most rightuos clan must prove she is innocent or she will be put to death.

REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS…

Ho Li Li heads out dressed as a man and begins to track the masked assassin, so she heads to Shaolin Temple, and realizes one guest is fake, and when it is revealed the masked assassin comes out, and Ho Li Li as a man tracks her and catches her. The masked assassin is played by Shu Pei Pei, who is obviously attracted to the mail Ho Li Li. Eventually she escapes, but leaves a Jade that will introduce her for work at a security firm. So Ho Li Li heads there, and tries to join, but they realize she is a spy. Shu Pei Pei helps her escape though, and the bad guys all chase and attack, but Ho Li Li’s master comes to the rescue. They head back to the 5 clans, and expose the leader as the traitor. He tries to escape and Shu Pei Pei is killed, but then so is the master.

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A great film. I love the sequence of the evil guys skinning off good guys faces and attaching them to bad guys so they can pass as them. Pretty sick and cool.

And it is always good to see Ho Li Li as a bad ass, and Shu Pei Pei is pretty fun to watch as well.