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Cast:
Kuo
Chui
Chiang
Sheng
Lu
Feng
Wang
Li
Lung
Tien Hsia
Action:
Kuo
Chui
Lu
Feng
Chiang
Sheng
Producer:
Mona
Fong
Director:
Chang
Cheh
Score:
 
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FLAG
OF IRON
AKA:
The Spearman Of Death ||
The Spearmen
Year:
1980 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
The
first thing that startles prospective viewers of this Venoms'
film is the absence of such series stalwarts Lo Meng and Sun
Chien. This is obviously bound to be a flaw as will be
discussed later, but any chance to see such masters of the
craft as Kuo Chui, Chiang Sheng, Lu Feng and supreme director
Chang Cheh is always going to be worth watching. In this
intrigue-packed tale of crosses and double-crosses presents
the varioys stars pushing back the boundaries of what can be
considered a deadly weapon; here the heroes/villains fight
with spear topped flags - something that can hardly be boasted
in many kung-fu films.
The
honourable Iron Flag clan are well-respected within their
hometown and their righteous stand against any tyranny is
often documented. One rival, however, decide to wipe out the
heroic clan and be continue their immoral practices. On
hearing about the plan, the Iron Flag chief decides to attack
the villainous school before the plan can be executed. The
assault goes well until the master is mysteriously killed;
professional killer 'Man In White' - who has been hired by the
Iron Flag elder pupil Chow (Lu Feng) to help their cause - is
the chief suspect. However, the suspicious student Lo (Kuo
Chui) is unable to investigate when he is persuaded to be a
scapegoat for the mass battle and is forced to leave town.
Living as an exile away from the martial world, the innocent
fighter gets work as a waiter and hopes to return home when
the heat has died down. What starts out as a quiet existence
away from the Iron Flag clan is disturbed when a series of
hitmen are sent out to kill him. Although he successfully
vanquishes these foes, the puzzled Lo begins to piece together
past events and meets his loyal clan brother. After being told
that Chow has turned the Iron Flag clan into a money-making
enterprise, Lo decides to go back to town and uncover the
mystery of Chow's reign. This brings to the fore an unlikely
ally in the shape of the 'Man In White'.
First
the bad news: without the aforementioned Venoms in 'Flag Of
Iron', this doesn't manage to live up to classics like 'Killer
Army' and 'Invincible
Shaolin'. Although Chang Cheh once again gives his very
watchable supporting players the chance to stand out, they do
not compensate for the absentees. The storyline, while
interesting, is not developed with the same panache that Chang
Cheh usually shows; the first half seems to just present Kuo
Chui with numerous opponents with little build up to the
showdowns. Thankfully, even these minor inadequacies do not
stop this from being another thunderous piece of
entertainment. The three remaining Venoms are as good as can be
expected with each one again proving their physical and
thespian aptitude. The action may not be the very best the
team has performed, but remains exciting and constantly
inventive. As always, the highlight is seeing Kuo Chui and Lu
Feng face one another again - fans will not be disappointed by
their finale. 'Flag Of Iron' is a good film in nearly all of
its departments and therefore earns a strong recommendation.
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