A little stagey and slow in places, when compared with slick modern HK action pics, but still very good, and well above the average of the time. I saw Tsui Hark's New Dragon Inn shortly after this one, and it seems very likely Hark was paying tribute to this film. The plot and settings are very much the same - political intrigues played out in a desert setting, with plenty of smouldering evil looks, swordplay and flying people.
In short, very much an Eastern Western. Worth a look.