Chang Cheh's gong-thumping, trumpet-blaring, sabre-rattling historical drama seemingly has borrowed its melodramatic edge from the trio of Mandarin musicals the prolific director cut his teeth on.

Chang, Ma, and Huang are three noble bandits who form an underground society during the Qing Dynasty and let the good times roll. Over time Ma (Ti Lung) begins to long for more and the need to better himself through indoctrination despite the lust he feels in his heart for Huang's wife Mi Lan (Ching Li).

Two years after joining the Qing the former bandit cum respected general sends for Chang (David Chiang) and Huang (Chen Kuan Tai) and his wife (who has spent every day away from Ma's presence in unbridled agony) along with their denizens who all eagerly renounce their former stature and become legitimized soldiers.

When the would-be lovers can no longer bare the simple obstacle that lies between them General Ma decides all is fair in love and war and there shall be no honor among thieves.

"The Blood Brothers" ranks among some of Chang Cheh's most celebrated works of the 1970's and is often considered the director's superlative entry in the martial arts genre.