Early 1970s movie mutates into ninja and samurai VHS release

It starts with the most "who cares?" plot in the history of martial arts movies. A fighter has stolen another man's fiancée and a hero appears to make it all right. Thankfully, we quickly move on to something about everybody wanting revenge and a book. A girl is out for revenge and our hero wants that book. He returns in a scene where he uses his chiropractor skills to heal an injured street performer. The girl, a monk, and another guy join forces to get hero Tiger. He is able to fight them off and deliver a baby at the same time. 

I have been watching every martial arts movie ever made in chronological order from 1967 to today. Just a few minutes into this movie I had a very hard time believing the movie was made in 1971 in Taiwan. It opens with all the cheese of any Alexander Lo Rei movie from 1984. The only thing missing are the gold lame suits. The Ocean Shores label displays a 1986 copyright but that is when the original movie was dubbed in English and transferred to VHS. HKMDB has 2/25/1971 as the date of theatrical run. Taiwan produced some of the worst movies ever to have "ninja" or "samurai" in the title (the VHS title that is) and that was in the early 1980s not the early 1970s.

I think this movie is a great example of how dubbing and background music can change the entire movie. The background music is typical of the late 1970s movies with John Liu. I am sure the words "samurai" and "ninja" never were spoken in the original film. The acting is never more than a look of surprise. The fight choreography is "a sword swings" then an abrupt cut to stunt men flying off in every direction. There is plenty of wire work and little effort was spent to hide the wires. 

The movie is only suitable viewing for the most hard core fan. As a hard core fan I watched it once and I am sure I will never watch it again. I cannot recommend it and rate it below average.

Mandarin-language cinema across Mainland China, Taiwan, and Singapore explores historical reflection, cultural identity, and personal sacrifice, often expressed through poetic visuals and sweeping narratives. In Mainland China, this takes the form of allegory and large-scale epics that reflect on national history. Taiwan emphasizes intimate modernist realism, generational change, and the search for identity. Singapore contributes stories of migration, multiculturalism, and the negotiation of tradition in a globalized city.

The action genre features fast-paced, thrilling, and intense sequences of physical feats, combat, and excitement. The characters of these stories are involved in daring and often dangerous situations, requiring them to rely on their physical prowess, skills, and quick thinking to overcome challenges and adversaries.

The adventure genre features exciting journeys, quests, or expeditions undertaken by characters who often face challenges, obstacles, and risks in pursuit of a goal. Adventures can take place in a wide range of settings, from exotic and fantastical locations to historical or even everyday environments.

Risking his own life, a young swordsman must match his strength, courage, and fighting skills to slay the Devil Knight. This is no easy task as he must battle untold assassins and dastardly kung fu experts.

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