Hitting his stride as helmer, Cheh set the tone for his— and others’— movies to come, bringing emotional gravitas and cinematic style to the violent action with top Shaw Bros. star Wang Yu in one of their several films together. As the title character, Wang imparts real complexity to his characterization; beset by demons even before losing an arm, the swordsman must redirect his life and his fighting prowess as he mulls vengeance.

In Mandarin with English subtitles