Directed by Chang Cheh and Pao Hsueh-li and written by Ni Kuang, this is about Wang Wu (Chen Kuan-Tai), the head of a bodyguard company. The work he does is noticed by Tan Si-Tong (Yueh Hua), who watches from a restaurant. As Wang Wu becomes more politically aware, Tan teams up with him to try to reform the laws of the Empress Dowager, who, of course, has none of that.
Tan and the reformists are eventually arrested and sentenced to be executed, with Wang Wu leading his fighting bodyguards in a daring rescue. This scene echoes the historical six gentlemen of the Hundred Days’ Reform, including Tan Si-Tong, who were all beheaded in 1898.
This was remade by Sammo Hung as Blade of Fury.
This Eureka release has a commentary track by East Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) and martial artist and filmmaker Michael Worth. You can get it from MVD.
