Lo Lieh leads a suicide squad through the most elaborate deathtraps in Shaw Brothers history.
Renowned writer Shen Chiang had become so popular for his scripts that the studio let him direct as well. Here he continued his winning ways with this tale of the end of the Sung Dynasty and the survivors who band together to save their prime minister. Shen outdoes himself with this bold and stirring story of daring Sung avengers (led by Shaws' first international star, Lo Lieh), who must fight their way out of trap after trap.
Stunts
Elaborate death traps executed with pre-CGI practical desperation.
Acting
Lo Lieh's simmering intensity anchors the ensemble carnage.
Direction
Shen Chiang proves his visual chops match his celebrated writing.
Director
Shen Chiang
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The film depicts real historical figure Wen Tianxiang, a Song Dynasty loyalist whose refusal to serve the Mongol Yuan dynasty made him a Chinese national hero—though this film cares more about his rescuers than him.
This was Bolo Yeung's early Shaw Brothers work before his iconic turn in Enter the Dragon—spot the future Bloodsport villain as the villainous Chief Cha Te.
HK
