

Lei Li lost his right-arm in a sword duel with the master of a martial arts school, long ago. Now, he is able to defend himself well with just his left arm, and kung fu techniques. That he proves with just the help of his friend Chung-Chieng, when he crosses his path with a beautiful girl in need, Pao Chiao. Even against impossible odds, he will prove a great warrior.
Direction
Chang Cheh's signature male weeping and arterial spray
Stunts
David Chiang's one-armed swordwork, impossibly fluid
Acting
Ti Lung's doomed pretty-boy energy, peak Shaw Bros

Director
Chang Cheh
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Chang Cheh made THREE One-Armed Swordsman films because he was obsessed with Jimmy Wang Yu's original. This 1971 'New' version exists because Wang Yu left Shaw Brothers and took his arm with him.
The film codified the 'jianghu' code of brotherhood that would dominate Hong Kong cinema for decades. David Chiang and Ti Lung became Shaw's biggest stars overnight — their real-life friendship fueled this onscreen tragedy.