The Flying Dagger is a Shaw Brothers martial arts film from 1969 directed by Chang Cheh and stars Lo Lieh and Cheng Pei-Pei. The Flying Dagger was recently released on Blu-ray by Shout Factory as part of their Shaw Brothers Classics Volume 1 box set.
‘The Flying Dagger’ kicks off with intense fighting scenes, including a black and white opening, setting the stage for the upcoming conflict. We meet the enigmatic villain, Jiao Lei (Yang Chi-Ching), leader of the “Green Dragon Clan,” known for his lethal flying daggers. Lo Lieh’s character, Yang Qing, intervenes in the clan war briefly, escaping to fight another day.
As the story unfolds, we are introduced to additional clan members, delving deeper into their fierce rivalry. Lo Lieh finds himself entangled in their feud, grappling with conflicting loyalties that keep viewers intrigued. In the opening scenes, we spot a brief cameo by Ku Feng, adding to the star-studded cast.
As the movie progresses there is a somewhat subtle romance between Lo Lieh and Cheng Pei-pei’s character, Yu Yung, which adds a compelling subplot to the overall narrative. Interestingly, the villain carries only four daggers, despite their importance as his weapon of choice.
The final fight scene is brief, but there are thrilling sword fights scattered throughout the film. Visually, “The Flying Dagger” showcases moments of brilliance, though some may find the story setup a bit confusing.