Idealistic Constables He Zhong Heng (Jason Pai Piao), Luo Zhang (Sun Chien) and Ying Hao (Danny Lee Sau-Yin) fresh from the academy are sent to uphold a royal edict to end gambling in a local town. On day one, they learn that will not be easy since the local law enforcement is on the take. Arresting someone doesn't mean they will see jail time. A few taels to Chief Liu (Keung Hon) can set your free a few minutes after being taking to the station. A few more taels to Magistrate, Lord Ge (Chiang Nan), will get you a slap on the wrists jail sentence. Even then, you can have a "cushy" experience, if you give Fifth Master (Chan Shen) a few taels or other bribe.

Zhang, Heng and Hao make a pact that no matter what, they will stick to their ideals, always have each others back and will make a difference in the town. The pact constantly runs them afoul of Chief Liu and Magistrate Ge, who see no alternative but to get rid of them. A chance to do so when criminal Sun Long (Leih Lo) is discovered at a local Temple. Is it hoped that Long will kill the do-gooders in battle. Chief Liu sens the trio in to "save" Long's hostage but provides no back-up when Zhang calls for it. Long manages to kill Hao and open Heng's eyes to the fact they are on their own against the corruption.

Zhang seems to be struggling with maintaining the pact and keeping his job to support his family. He comes off way too much as a wimp in this movie. Something I never expected from a Sun Chien character. He sees the wrong and turns a blind eye. He becomes somewhat of a company man though it's at odds with his conscience. Heng on the other hand refuses to set aside his principles and continues to try making things better despite being at constant odds with his superiors. There is a totally unnecessary nude scene involving a rape victim trying to escape her tormentor. It ends with Heng beating the rapist.

Heng is set up with the help of Zhang (his family is being held by the Chief to force him to do their bidding). Heng is jailed for a crime he didn't commit and is abused left and right by Fifth Master, guards, Sun Long and other inmates. There's a scene where a prisoner actually pees on him after Sun Long suggests it. Heng is placed in solitary following the beating from Sun Long and cellmates. Heng's wife visits, no doubt after having to heavily bribe guards, to announce there's a special Magistrate envoy coming to town. She hopes to have Heng's case heard and get him released. She never gets the chance. The Chief and Magistrate ensure she never speaks of anything involving Heng's case.

Heng escapes the jail after a battle with Sun Long involving a hair pin his wife left behind during her visit and a blade Zhang gave him during an unexpected visit. Heng kidnaps the local magistrate in an attempt to get someone to speak the truth. Zhang is once more put at odds between duty and the pact with Heng. Zhang does have a couple moments of heroistic endeavor, but they are merely moments. It will not be until the final moments, when Zhang finally has the same epiphany Heng had long ago, that Zhang shows his idealism isn't dead. Sadly, neither he nor Heng will survive the epiphany.

I gave it a 6 because it does have a strong story, save for the unnecessary nude scene. The fighting was not a major part of this film. It was more of a plot mover. However, it wasn't up to the usual fighting I've come to know in Shaw Brothers movies.

An obscure film from a two time only director, this feature one of the "venoms", Sun Chien, and solid martial art actor Danny Lee and a whole lot of familiar Shaw supporting actor faces. Lo Lieh has a modest role as the "King of Robbers".

Three graduates from constable academy are sent to their rookie jobs in a modest sized town. Instructed to enforce a royal edict to end all gambling, the three friends immediately run afoul of a corrupt magistrate and his crooked police force. The police captain regularly confiscates criminal's loot and shares it with the police officers, he also gives some back to the criminals and lets them free! The three new officers are taken aback by the rampant corruption and are not sure what to do. One wants to fight the system, Sun Chien doesn't want to endanger his family's income and the third rookie just wants to quit. Finally they take a vow to uphold justice but immediately are sent to capture the "King of Robbers". The wicked police captain doesn't back them up hoping that the "King" will kill the idealistic rookies for him. The third rookie is killed but the "king" is captured. The King is given a light prison sentence and the two remaining rookies are distraught at the injustice of the system. Meanwhile the corrupt magistrate and the police captain are conspiring against them.

Despite the cast, this film is heavy on drama and while there is a good amount of action it's rather uninspired unless Shen Chan, Sun Chien or Lo Lieh are in the action. The action highlight is a duel between Lo Lieh and Danny Lee. Unfortunately Sun Chien's character is sort of a coward and therefore the script doesn't allow him to do anything like he does in the "Venom" films.

An interesting story gets a Shaw assembly line treatment. Nothing terrible, nothing special. The film is choppy in several places and goes off track about 40 minutes in with an unnecessary, extended attempted rape that has some actress running around naked for a couple of minutes. Once that's over the film goes back to the story and is watch-able again. There are some gory scenes and a lot of scenes of men getting beaten.

Nothing to go out of the way to see.