The Flag of Iron (1980) User Reviews

What's next? Flag Fighting!

[ChungMo · 6/10 · 23 August 2006]

Talky and moderately convoluted, this lesser "Venom" film has moments that will make a Shaw fan reasonably happy.

Phillip Kuo once again carries another Chang Cheh production with his charm and remarkable acrobatic expertise. This time he plays a cocky martial art clan member, Iron Panther who along with his training brother Iron Monkey (Sheng Chiang) delights in tormenting members of the rival clan who indulge in immoral things like running a gambling parlor and brothel. His trouble making leads to an ambush where his clan master is killed. To protect the clan his elder brother, played by Lu Feng, bribes the police and sends Iron Panther far away until the furor dies down. In the middle of this is a mysterious stranger, the White Robed Rambler (say that fast), who wields a curious set of short spears. This being a rather typical kung fu drama, there are a number of betrayals that lead to the final showdown with flags.

Very talky at times but unfortunately without a really interesting set of characters. The White Robed Rambler is very blandly played. Someone like David Chiang would have been perfect in the part. The betrayals are unsurprising and if you have seen this type of film before, very predictable. The fights are well done and the finale is unusual but really a way to show off the Venoms acrobatic training. Flag stunts are typical in Chinese acrobatic troupes.

OK but too long at 2 hours.

The Flag of Iron

[BandSAboutMovies · 6/10 · 10 March 2022]

When the master of the Iron Flag Clan and the rival Eagles group's leader have been killed by the mysterious Spearman. The secret is that he has been hired by Iron Tiger (Feng Lu, Centipede from Five Deadly Venoms), who has allowed Iron Panther (Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok, Lizard from Five Deadly Venoms) to take the rap -- even though the Iron Flag are known for being virtuous protectors of decency. Iron Tiger promises to send him money so he can be released, but the money never comes. What does happen is that multiple assassins are seeking to kill Iron Panther and in a surprise, the Spearman saves him.

The Spearman did kill the master, but was tricked into doing so. And now, Chow Feng leads not only the Iron Flag Clan, but their mortal enemies the Eagles. No, not with Don Henley and Timothy B. Schmit.

Now, Iron Panther and his brother Iron Monkey (Sheng Chiang, Crippled Avengers) are about to get revenge. Yet to battle the Ten Killers of the Underworld, they're going to have to team with the Spearman.

Chang Cheh also directed Chinatown Kid, The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires, Shaolin Temple and so many other incredible martial arts films. Here, he introduces flag fighting to the form and wow, the battles in this are fascinating. They're also quite gory with blood spraying everywhere and flags piercing evildoers.

3 Venoms plus one Spearman take on a corrupt gang boss in old China

[BrianDanaCamp · 7 August 2001]

FLAG OF IRON (1980, aka SPEARMAN OF DEATH) is a historical kung fu adventure starring three of the five actors-martial artists collectively known as the Five Venoms. The most versatile of the Venoms, Kuo Chui (aka Philip Kwok), plays a clan member who volunteers to go into exile to take the heat off his group after a fight with a rival gang. When he returns he finds that his old boss (played by Lu Feng, another Venom), for whom he took the rap, has merged with the rival gang and sent a group of ten killers after Kuo, who outfights all of them, sometimes with the help of another Venom, Chiang Sheng. He also finds an ally in the notorious Spearman, who had originally been hired by the corrupt gang boss. Eventually the three heroes take on their old boss in an extended battle involving flag-draped spears which the combatants twirl about in virtuoso displays of skill.

The plot is basically a variation on the old gangster plot about a gangster sent into hiding or to prison as a scapegoat for his gang who finds, upon returning, that things have either fallen apart or his old boss has turned on him. In kung fu films, we saw this before in DUEL OF THE SHAOLIN FIST (1971, aka DUEL OF THE IRON FIST), an excellent early kung fu work by director Chang Cheh, who also directed FLAG OF IRON and all the Venoms films.

FLAG OF IRON is a well-mounted production with lots of exciting fighting action shot amidst sprawling Shaw Bros. studio sets. It's not as intricate as other Venoms films and suffers from the absence of one key Venom, Lo Meng, but it's a worthy entry nonetheless. Beware the 85-minute cut version currently in distribution. The original running time is 113 minutes.

Exquisite

[Leofwine_draca · 9/10 · 12 November 2016]

The Venoms films are well regarded amongst Shaw Brothers fans as some of the best of the studio's output. THE FIVE DEADLY VENOMS and RETURN OF THE DEADLY VENOMS (aka CRIPPLED AVENGERS) are two of their classic films which most fans will have seen, but they also made loads of other movies along the way, pretty much all of them stand alone titles, and THE FLAG OF IRON is such a film.

And the good news is that this is an exceptional bit of entertainment and one of Chang Cheh's very best movies. It's a vibrant and colourful film with a complex yet easily understandable storyline full of intrigue, betrayal, and double crossing. There's mystery and suspense in spades, and of course the narrative is bolstered by a series of madly exciting fight scenes which help to tell and develop the storyline instead of just being added in for the sake of having some action.

Nearly all of the Venoms are present in this one, and they're at the top of their game. Phillip Kwok is the best I've seen him, playing the loyal warrior who ends up being exiled and working undercover as a waiter. The segment of the film in which he's attacked by a series of outlandish assassins is my favourite and great, imaginative stuff. Watch out for the guy with the killer abacus, of all things! Chiang Sheng lends solid support as Kwok's buddy while Lu Feng takes a typical role and yet adds layers to it.

Lung Tien Hsiang is a little weak as the white robed rambler, a non-Venom added to the story, but he's certainly adequate enough all things considered. As usual, Chang Cheh is the real star of the show, bringing to life the gorgeous sets and costumes in a special way and shooting the action with his usual verve and dynamism. Yes, there is some 'flag fu' in this film, particularly towards the end of the picture, although it's not overdone. There is plenty of violence and bloodshed in the best Shaw tradition, however. Having loved every minute of FLAG OF IRON, I can only describe this as a masterpiece.

Classic Shaw Brothers kung fu, ,

[dworldeater · 9/10 · 27 February 2017]

Flag Of Iron is another impressive effort from the winning team of director Chang Cheh and The Venom Mob(of which 3 of the 5 Venoms appear here). This is an excellent kung fu film with great camera-work, costumes, sets and weapons. There are themes of honor, loyalty and righteousness that set our heroes into action. There is a skirmish between two kung fu clans that leave our main man Kou Chui(aka Philip Kwok) that has our homie leave town for a year for the heat to calm down. This is a planned betrayal for villain Lu Feng to become leader of the clan and unite both clans and take over the previous clan's nefarious gambling and prostitution racket. He even sends 10 killer's to take out our hero Kuo Chui, who mops the floor with all comers. He is joined by fellow Venom Chiang Sheng and spearman(The Rambler), a killer with a code of honor that lives in the local brothel. The three unite to confront evil clan leader (Venom Lu Feng) in an ultimate battle of kung fu carnage. There is betrayal, double crossing and some excellent, fast paced kung fu fighting with an impressive arsenal of weapons. The fight choreography is swift and precise with acrobatics, fists and feet with a variety of weapons that often ends up with a good amount of blood shed. Flag Of Iron is solid, action packed martial arts entertainment from the very reliable director Chang Cheh and Shaw Brothers Studio.

BETRAYAL

[kirbylee70-599-526179 · 9/10 · 3 May 2022]

Once again 88 Films is releasing yet another classic Shaw Brothers production and doing it right. This time the film is THE FLAG OF IRON. Filled with plenty of story as well as action this one was quite enjoyable.

Two rival clans are found in the same town. The Iron Flag clan is the better of the two, so named because their weapons are spears with flags on them. The other is the Eagle Hill clan. This one is disreputable, owning a brothel where they sometimes kidnap women to work there. Two members of the Eagle Clan, Luo (Phillip Kwok) and Yuan (Chiang Sheng) discover this and beat up the man in charge freeing the girl they find kidnapped.

As the rivalries between the two clans grow the Eagle Clan decides to settle things and invite the Iron Flag clan to a dinner to broker peace. Or so they claim. Instead they have brought the clan together in the hopes of destroying them all. The leader of the Iron Flag clan is killed by a paid assassin known only as the Spearman (Tien-Hsiang Lung). Afterwards Cao (Feng Lu) takes his place. When police investigate the disturbance, follower Luo takes the fall and agrees to leave the town until things calm down. Cao promises to send him funds to keep him going.

Luo moves far away and does his best to get along. He takes a job in a restaurant waiting and cleaning tables. This helps him survive since no fund ever seem to make them his way. A year passes and his friend Yuan comes to visit. He informs Luo that Cao has changed since his taking over. He now does the despicable things that the Iron Flag clan was known to stop, enriching himself in the process.

Assassins show up to kill Luo but he survives with the help of Yuan and the Spearman. It is then that they learn that the Spearman was tricked into killing their master and that Cao was behind it all. Vowing revenge for the misdeeds of Cao, the three head back to seek justice.

Yet another great film directed by Chang Cheh this one delivers on all fronts from story to the action sequences involved. Not only does the film involve skilled martial arts this time various exotic weapons work their way into the mix as well. Extremely well choreographed fight scenes could have resulted in severe injury or even death had the not been performed with caution and care by some amazing actors here.

Fans of the genre will notice that most of the stars from the various Venom films make an appearance here. No, not the Marvel character Venom but movies like THE FIVE DEADLY VENOMS and RETURN OF THE FIVE DEADLY VENOMS. But this film really doesn't connect to those films.

I know I keep praising the films being released by 88 Films but what can I say? They deserve the praise! They're releasing this in yet another HD format making it look spectacular. The extras this time are a little limited but well worth it. They include a limited edition slipcase with brand new artwork by R. P. "Kung Fu Bob" O'Brien, a double-sided A3 foldout poster, extensive booklet notes "Red and Black Attack Unfurling the Fury of Cheh Chang's Gloriously Inventive Martial Arts Masterwork FLAG OF IRON by Andrew Graves and a reversible sleeve with new artwork by O'Brien and the original Hong Kong poster artwork.

Yet another must have for marital arts and action fans.

Acrobatic action supported by a good narrative of betrayal and intrigue

[bob the moo · 16 November 2014]

When the Iron Flag Clan are ambushed by the Eagle Clan, and their leader is assassinated by a paid killer called the Spearman or Rambler or Yan Xiu (depending on who you ask). The eldest brother Chao Feng (Iron Tiger) steps up to be the head of the clan, however the two new leaders of the Eagle clan (Gao and Chen) go to the police about the death of their leader – forcing the police to at least appear to take action. To save the clan, brother Lo Xin (The Iron Panther) takes the fall and agrees to go into exile, during which time the clan will send him money until he is free to return. However, no money comes to Luo – instead only hired killers. Saved by the intervention of the Rambler, Lo learns that Chao Feng may not be the leader he claims to be, since he is now working with the Eagles and allowing all their amoral actions to continue. Along with loyal brother Iron Money, Rambler and Lo head back to the town to get to the bottom of it all.

Although there are quite a lot of characters in this film, and it runs to almost 2 hours, it is pretty easy to follow and has a solid narrative throughout. Each plot twist and turn seems to be accompanied by a good fight sequence and these and the narrative work well to keep the film moving and interesting. I wasn't sure about the practicality of the flags as weapons, nor of the interest in the spear that fires a little bit of spear, but while the latter remained a bit 'meh' as a tool in the fights, the flags are very well used and make for some very impressive acrobatics. I also enjoyed the ten assassins coming in the middle of the film, bringing different characters and styles.

Although we only have some of the venom mob here, they are some good ones and well used. In particular I like the presence of Kuo Chui (Kwok) in the lead, and the comedic support of Sheng Chiang. Feng Lu makes for a good villain as the piece goes on, but I was not so sure of Tien Hsiang Lung's Spearman – either as a character or as a performance; he didn't have the charisma or presence of many of the others. The fight sequences are well choreographed and very energetically delivered – okay death sequences are a bit hammy and the blood excessively red and gushing, but such things come with the territory.

Overall, some reservations aside, a very enjoyable film with impressive choreography delivering engaging action sequences supporting a pretty good narrative.

Kung Fu contretempts...

[poe426 · 10/10 · 27 July 2011]

The arrogant but righteous members of the Iron Flag Clan aren't above getting in the face of members of the rival Eagle Hall Clan (who wear headbands with- what else- eagle feathers thrust through them). (And, while I'm on the subject of costumes: I happen to like the Iron Flag uniforms- black, with red trim, and black capes with red inner lining worthy of Hammer's Dracula. The costumes in most of these period pieces are excellent, and are worthy of the comic book superheroes whose exploits I loved as a child.) (And everybody in this one sports sideburns that would make Elvis envious.) The idea of using spears as flags was neat (as if, in being merely flags, they were somehow harmless and NOT weapons). When our hero, Luo Xin (Phillip Kwok), nicknamed The Iron Panther, gets tricked into leaving the Iron Flag Clan, he's hunted down and attacked by nearly a dozen assassins. One of the more interesting is an accountant, whose collapsible ABACUS is his weapon of choice. When Luo confronts the man, the assassin asks Luo what he thinks the assassin is up to. Luo's response is classic: "Calculating a dead man's debt." This, naturally, triggers an attack. One of Chang Cheh's best.