The Dragon vs. Needles of Death (1976)

Memorable, crazy movie

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Best thing that iveI ever come across in the dollar movies bin.

DRAGON VS. NEEDLES OF DEATH is a cool title for what is otherwise a nondescript martial arts story from Taiwan. The average Joe hero just so happens to be a master at nail throwing, which leads to a handful of fun moments in which villains get sharp bits of metal impaled in their faces and bodies. Sadly, these bits are the only time the film becomes fun, and the rest is strictly stock and par-for-the-course.The "dragon" of the title is actually the villain this film, and he's the usual vengeful martial arts master. The hero romances a pretty girl for some of the time, and at other times fights her. The film has some industrial surroundings but is sub par for the most part, with long-winded plotting that feels like the writer is merely dragging his feet and reluctant to get on with the business of story telling. The fights are strictly average with little to get excited about.

Version: 'Kung Fu Theatre' DVD, English dubBe forewarned: 'Dragon vs Needles of Death is nowhere near as cool as the cover might suggest. The cover does a good job of presenting what could be an entirely different movie altogether, as 'Dragon vs Needles of Death' certainly did not feature the kung-fu fighter who sported an afro. The afro was on the DVD cover, but not in the movie. I'm not impressed. I want my five dollars back.Needle Throwing Dude (I can't remember his name) enters a kung-fu school, but as soon as he joins, he runs off with the master's daughter Mei Lei. They leave behind a jealous Sami, the school's top fighter, who also runs off. Coincidentally, they end up in the same town - Needle Throwing Dude as a salt smuggler, and Sami as an apprentice blacksmith - and opposing the local mob leader, who wants all the salt for himself. Or something. I missed that.'Dragon vs Needles of Death' isn't the worst chop-socky flick I've ever seen, but it is nowhere near any of the best. As the plot progresses we get treated to far too much 'intrigue' and "I am your father" type stuff, until the final scenes where the kung-fu just drags on far too long. Most of the fights up towards the end were poorly edited and choreographed (I suspect that many extras were really just flailing their arms about wildly). The scenes towards the end were much better, but managed to continue until long after I had gotten quite bored.'Dragon vs Needles of Death' is pretty boring, but fans of this kind of stuff should at least give it one go - 2/10

A young man who is a social misfit joins a kung-fu academy but still unable to fit in, turns to a life of crime. A former friend who tried to help him must track him down. Unique for it's "nail-throwing" combat scenes. Spot the modern home furnishings and farm machines in this picture shot in medieval China. For the genre it is an entertaining film, with constant kung-fu action the last 40 minutes. Sold as a double feature on DVD with "Mantis vs Falcon Claws" in the Brooklyn Zu series from noble house.