Clans of Intrigue is based on the book Fragrance in the Sea of Blood, which is part of Gu Long’s Chu Liuxiang novel series. The first of these stories to be adapted by Shaw Brothers, with Chor Yuen directing and Ti Lung as Chu Liuxiang. Legend of the Bat and Perils of the Sentimental Swordsman would follow this movie, as well as several other appearances of this character in other movies.

After three martial artists are poisoned using the Holy Water Palace’s Heaven’s One Holy Water has been stolen, it’s determined that only one man could be so deadly and so good of a thief to pull this off: Chu Liuxiang. At least that’s what Kung Nan-Yen (Nora Miao) believes, but she gives our hero one month to clear his name.

Chor Yuen made five movies in 1977: Jade Tiger, Death Duel, Pursuit of Vengeance, The Sentimental Swordsman and this movie. He’d repeat that the following year before taking it easy in 1979 and 1980, only making four movies in both of those years. Not only was he busy, he also made some great films.

This has the feel of a detective tale, as our hero must go through each suspect and attempt to discover who could have stolen the Magic Water and who was also skilled enough to kill three martial arts masters. Chu Liuxiang must also deal with all of the other fighters who believe that he’s the murderer and don’t want to wait for revenge.

You can read Jenn Upton’s review of this movie here.

The Arrow Video Shaw Scope Volume Three box set has a brand new 2K restoration of Clans of Intrigue as well as commentary by Jonathan Clements, author of A Brief History of China; interviews with stuntwoman Sharon Yeung, film historian Bede Chang and film critic Law Kar and a trailer.

You can get this set from MVD.