Smaller is better when it comes to weapons in this movie. Martial artists can fling thorns and coins with the impact of a gun bullet. Enter the villain, Yuan, who easily takes out twelve distant archers by using the iron thorn technique. His hot daughter, Rung, and his gang admire him. Cut to Yu Jiang Ping the master of the Twelve Deadly Coins. His son, Hua, does a demonstration but oblivious to the help from the student Qiao, played by Lo Lieh. Hua is engaged to the master's daughter and Lo Lieh loves her but considers himself below her.
Hua prepares for his escort mission. Everything ends in disaster with Qiao blamed as a traitor. Qiao is no match for Yuan but he continues his pursuit anyway. Master's business is closed and his wife held hostage until he returns the stolen gold. He goes with his daughter, Hua, and two others to try to regain the gold. Qiao enters the bad guys den but is captured. While he is tortured, Rung falls in love with him. They are both tossed in prison. Qiao escapes but it is to lead the master into a trap. On returning to master no one believes him so he cuts off his left hand to prove his loyalty. The group then walks into Yuan's trap. Master and master fight and argue about their old differences. Qiao goes to rescue Rung. The fight ends and the drama of revenge versus forgiveness begins.
This is an above average movie for the year and genre. The pace is fast and the fights are excellent. I particularly liked the practical effect when Lo Lieh throws the dagger into the guy's mid-section. It was all done with fishing line, no computer effects existed at the time. I can't find anything to criticize in this movie and recommend it for all fans of martial arts movies from the golden age 1967 to 1984.
