First of all, this is the first Asian martial arts movie ever to be released in the U.S. For many westerners that makes this the one that started it all for them. As it is, this happens to be the first HK movie I saw on the big screen.

Excellent variation of a standard school vs school rivalry plot. The incorporation of some very well done sub-plots. Especially the use of Japanese thugs as henchmen for the evil school. The story flowed well and was also a little on the gritty side which lends to this movie standing out from others.

Lo Lieh, in one of his few roles as a good guy that I can remember, did remarkably well portraying himself as the unsure, moody, unassuming hero. The actor who played the jealous student who turns on his own school did a fine job as well. I also enjoyed the different type of characters used by the Japanese. It made them stand out more.

The action scenes weren't breathtaking by any means but for the era were adequate. The use of the alarm sound effect when the iron palm technique was used was cheesy in the ABSOLUTE right way. I still remember the audience reacting whenever it played. Thoroughly enjoyable.