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.

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.