The Killer A.K.A. The Sacred Knives of Vengeance • 大殺手 (1972)

The Killer (1972), also released as The Sacred Knives of Vengeance, Da Sha Shou (大殺手 / 大杀手), and The Wandering Knight, is a stylish Hong Kong Kung Fu Movie directed by legendary filmmaker Chu Yuan (Chor Yuen) for Shaw Brothers Studio. Starring Chin Han, Wang Ping, Tsung Hua, Chiang Nan, Cheng Miu, Yang Chi-ching, and Ku Feng, this early-1970s martial arts thriller combines crime, gang warfare, knife fighting, and traditional kung fu action. Its distinctive blend of contemporary underworld intrigue and martial arts makes it a notable entry among classic Hong Kong Kung Fu Movies and an interesting early work from one of Shaw Brothers' most respected directors.

STORY OVERVIEW

Powerful crime boss Hsieh Choun, known throughout the underworld as the Black Dragon, sees his smuggling operation threatened when rival gangster Wang Hsing-tien works with law enforcement to disrupt his criminal empire. Determined to eliminate his enemies, Hsieh hires skilled fighters and deadly assassins to regain control. As rival gangs collide and loyalties begin to shift, a dangerous series of confrontations unfolds across Hong Kong.

MARTIAL ARTS HIGHLIGHTS

The Killer stands apart from many traditional period martial arts films by combining kung fu action with a contemporary crime setting. The film features knife fighting, hand-to-hand combat, martial arts duels, and energetic choreography associated with Yuen Woo-ping and Yuen Cheung-yan. Chu Yuan's direction gives the film a darker atmosphere while retaining the action and fighting techniques expected from a classic Hong Kong Kung Fu Movie.

WHY COLLECTORS PICK IT

Collectors appreciate The Killer for its unusual combination of Shaw Brothers martial arts and organized crime. Instead of another familiar Shaolin or historical revenge story, the film places its fighters inside a world of smugglers, assassins, rival gangs, and shifting alliances. The strong cast, distinctive setting, and early action work make it an especially interesting title for collectors exploring the studio's lesser-known 1970s Kung Fu Movies.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Released in 1972, The Killer represents an interesting period in Hong Kong martial arts cinema as filmmakers increasingly experimented with stories beyond traditional wuxia and period settings. Chu Yuan would later become famous for his celebrated adaptations of Gu Long's martial arts novels, while the film's early action choreography connects it to the development of the Hong Kong stunt and martial arts filmmaking tradition. For collectors, it remains a notable Shaw Brothers Kung Fu Movie from the early 1970s.

• Verified AKAs:
  • The Killer – International English title
  • The Sacred Knives of Vengeance – U.S. release title
  • Da Sha Shou – Mandarin Pinyin
  • Dai Sat Sau – Cantonese romanization
  • The Wandering Knight – Working title
  • 大殺手 – Traditional Chinese title
  • 大杀手 – Simplified Chinese title
• Director: Chu Yuan (Chor Yuen)
• Screenplay: Kuo Chia
• Producer: Run Run Shaw
• Action Direction: Yuen Woo-ping, Yuen Cheung-yan
• Studio: Shaw Brothers Studio
• Starring: Chin Han, Wang Ping, Tsung Hua, Chiang Nan, Cheng Miu, Yang Chi-ching, Ku Feng
• Format: DVD
• Language: English
• Region: All Regions
• Running Time: 94 Minutes
• Country: Hong Kong
• Release Year: 1972

Carefully researched and prepared for collectors of classic martial arts cinema by ClassicKungFuMovies.com.