The Invincible Fist

THE INVINCIBLE FIST

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手
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Tiě shǒu wú qíng

An earnest official doggedly hunts the wily outlaws who have plagued his district for two years.

Tiě shǒu wú qíng is something of an exception
among Chang Cheh's movies--the body count & carnage
receive little emphasis, and blood squirts from a body
only twice in the whole movie, and discreetly at that.
The accent is on intrigue and secret weapons,
and until the final confrontation,
the action is not particularly exceptional.
Except for the few typical tavern scenes,
almost every scene is set among so much vegetation,
most of it blade grass instead of reeds,
that one sometimes thinks it is all happening in the Amazon.
The wild is contrasted with the cultivated garden
which shelters the villain's innocent blind daughter,
and into which the wounded hero accidentally wanders.
Tiě shǒu wú qíng rests on Lo Lieh, whose magnetic gravity
works in the romantic as well in the action scenes.
Indeed, the tender love story is the movie's saving grace.
Tiě shǒu wú qíng is not a good choice
if you're addicted to blood, gore, and violent swordplay,
but if you're into kinder and gentler aspects
(not to mention greenery & gardening)
this immensely likable movie
may just become your favorite Chang Cheh movie.