★ 5 / 10
I didn't really care for this martial arts
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I didn't really care for this martial arts picture all that much and I think that was primarily due to the amount of violence directed towards women. I…
I didn't really care for this martial arts picture all that much and I think that was primarily due to the amount of violence directed towards women. I recently saw another Shaw Brothers film that had a lot of this as well, which was something I hadn't seen a lot of before in Shaw Brothers pictures, but maybe it was more prevalent in martial arts films of the1970s than I was aware of. The story follows a group of rookie cops (period martial world cops who carry swords) on their first assignment, where encounter corrupt officials and dirty cops, but want to remain honest and upright. It's not a bad set-up and is kind of a welcome change from the standard martial arts revenge driven plot lines, but it's not exactly "Serpico" and there really weren't that many fight sequences, so outside of typically decent Shaw Brothers production values, there isn't a lot to recommend here.
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★ 6 / 10
A Fist Full of Dollars meets Serpico
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Idealistic Constables He Zhong Heng (Jason Pai Piao), Luo Zhang (Sun Chien) and Ying Hao (Danny Lee Sau-Yin) fresh from the academy are sent to uphold a royal…
Idealistic Constables He Zhong Heng (Jason Pai Piao), Luo Zhang (Sun Chien) and Ying Hao (Danny Lee Sau-Yin) fresh from the academy are sent to uphold a royal edict to end gambling in a local town. On day one, they learn that will not be easy since the local law enforcement is on the take. Arresting someone doesn't mean they will see jail time. A few taels to Chief Liu (Keung Hon) can set your free a few minutes after being taking to the station. A few more taels to Magistrate, Lord Ge (Chiang Nan), will get you a slap on the wrists jail sentence. Even then, you can have a "cushy" experience, if you give Fifth Master (Chan Shen) a few taels or other bribe.
Zhang, Heng and Hao make a pact that no matter what, they will stick to their ideals, always have each others back and will make a difference in the town. The pact constantly runs them afoul of Chief Liu and Magistrate Ge, who see no alternative but to get rid of them. A chance to do so when criminal Sun Long (Leih Lo) is discovered at a local Temple. Is it hoped that Long will kill the do-gooders in battle. Chief Liu sens the trio in to "save" Long's hostage but provides no back-up when Zhang calls for it. Long manages to kill Hao and open Heng's eyes to the fact they are on their own against the corruption.
Zhang seems to be struggling with maintaining the pact and keeping his job to support his family. He comes off way too much as a wimp in this movie. Something I never expected from a Sun Chien character. He sees the wrong and turns a blind eye. He becomes somewhat of a company man though it's at odds with his conscience. Heng on the other hand refuses to set aside his principles and continues to try making things better despite being at constant odds with his superiors. There is a totally unnecessary nude scene involving a rape victim trying to escape her tormentor. It ends with Heng beating the rapist.
Heng is set up with the help of Zhang (his family is being held by the Chief to force him to do their bidding). Heng is jailed for a crime he didn't commit and is abused left and right by Fifth Master, guards, Sun Long and other inmates. There's a scene where a prisoner actually pees on him after Sun Long suggests it. Heng is placed in solitary following the beating from Sun Long and cellmates. Heng's wife visits, no doubt after having to heavily bribe guards, to announce there's a special Magistrate envoy coming to town. She hopes to have Heng's case heard and get him released. She never gets the chance. The Chief and Magistrate ensure she never speaks of anything involving Heng's case.
Heng escapes the jail after a battle with Sun Long involving a hair pin his wife left behind during her visit and a blade Zhang gave him during an unexpected visit. Heng kidnaps the local magistrate in an attempt to get someone to speak the truth. Zhang is once more put at odds between duty and the pact with Heng. Zhang does have a couple moments of heroistic endeavor, but they are merely moments. It will not be until the final moments, when Zhang finally has the same epiphany Heng had long ago, that Zhang shows his idealism isn't dead. Sadly, neither he nor Heng will survive the epiphany.
I gave it a 6 because it does have a strong story, save for the unnecessary nude scene. The fighting was not a major part of this film. It was more of a plot mover. However, it wasn't up to the usual fighting I've come to know in Shaw Brothers movies.
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80%
AUDIENCE
6.6/10
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