Kid with the Golden Arm

Kid with the Golden Arm

Year: 1979

Runtime: 86 mins

Language: Chinese

Director: Chang Cheh

ActionDrama

Be good or be dead! The film opens with Jin Bei Tong’s escort guards loading a government gold shipment destined for a famine‑stricken region. As they transport the precious cargo, tension mounts and danger lurks at every turn. Notably, it is one of the rare Venom productions that features all six Venom actors together in a single story.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Kid with the Golden Arm yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Kid with the Golden Arm (1979)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Kid with the Golden Arm (1979). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Deadly Valley

Deadly Valley is a rough, lawless region where rival gangs vie for a precious gold cargo. The landscape features hidden tunnels, makeshift towns, and perilous ambush points that test every escort's skill. This setting fuels the constant tension between loyalty, greed, and survival.

🏯 Feudal China 🗺️ Gangs and Mercenaries ⚔️ Martial Arts Epic

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:36

Main Characters – Kid with the Golden Arm (1979)

Meet the key characters of Kid with the Golden Arm (1979), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Yang Hu Yun (Iron Feet Lad) — portrayed by Sun Chien

A seasoned government escort tasked with protecting the gold. He coordinates a dangerous mission with discipline and resolve, navigating alliances with hard-nosed pragmatism. His authority is challenged by treachery, and he is ultimately slain by Iron Feet as the plan unravels.

🛡️ Protector ⚔️ Strategic 🗡️ Commanding

Leng Feng (Leng Feng) — portrayed by Helen Poon Bing-Seung

A skilled martial artist who travels with Ming and Ming’s partner in the mission. She navigates romance, rivalry, and loyalty while confronting disguised foes and the dangers of a poisoned treasure route. Her actions intertwine with the fates of Ming and Hai Tao.

🗡️ Martial Artist 💃 Ally 🧭 Loyal

Golden Arm (Golden Arm Kid) — portrayed by Lo Meng

A legendary master whose unarmed style makes him nearly invincible against armed foes. He leads the Chi Sha gang's assault on the gold shipment and clashes with Hai Tao, ultimately facing a mortal end at Leng Feng’s hands after a long confrontation.

⚡️ Invincible 🥋 Martial Master 🪙 Gold-obsessed

Silver Spear — portrayed by Lu Feng

A member of the Chi Sha gang who uses cunning and silver darts. He disguises himself within the gang's ranks and clashes with Ming and Short Axe, meeting a fatal end in a duel with Short Axe.

🎯 Sneaky 🗡️ Duelist 🪙 Treasure-Seeker

Iron Robe — portrayed by Wang Lung Wei

One of the four chiefs representing a distinct fighting style. He uses stealth and deception to advance the gang's plan, challenging Ming and Hai Tao before being unmasked.

🧥 Guarded Style 🗡️ Assassin 🛡️ Villain

Brass Head — portrayed by Yang Hsiung

A brutal member of the Chi Sha chiefs who embodies a hard-hitting, relentless approach. He triggers a pivotal moment by revealing himself and catalyzing the confrontation that drives the chase for the gold.

💥 Heavy Hitter 🗡️ Rival 🪄 Deceiver

Long Axe Yan Jiu — portrayed by Suen Shu-Pei

One of the two axes who scouts ahead with Short Axe and faces the gang’s ambush. He is fatal to Long Axe in a brutal display of weapons-based combat during the pursuit.

🪓 Axe Warrior 🗺️ Scout 🩸 Victim

Short Axe Fang Shih — portrayed by Chiang Sheng

Partner to Long Axe in scouting and skirmishes, he embodies quick, tactical fighting. He endures hostility and violence and is driven by the desire to outmaneuver the Chi Sha gang.

🪓 Axe Warrior 🧭 Tactician 🗡️ Duelist

Ming (Li Chin Ming) — portrayed by Wei Pai

A swordsman hired to guard the mission. He clashes with Leng Feng and is poisoned by Sand Palm but later survives thanks to Hai Tao's intervention, only to be killed later in the pursuit.

🗡️ Swordsman 🧭 Loyal Ally 🩸 Poison victim

Hai Tao (Agent Hai Tao) — portrayed by Kuo Chui

A drunken master who proves himself capable in battle, joining the group and dueling Golden Arm. He survives much of the danger and fights alongside Leng Feng and Ming to counter the Chi Sha threat.

🥃 Drunken Master ⚔️ Duelist 🛡️ Ally

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:36

Major Themes – Kid with the Golden Arm (1979)

Explore the central themes of Kid with the Golden Arm (1979), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗡️ Loyalty

A government mission to protect a gold shipment places loyalty under pressure as allies are forced to stage dangerous maneuvers and make hard choices. Trust is tested when rival gangs disguise themselves and betrayal lurks in the shadows. Characters balance personal risk with duty, often paying with their lives.

💰 Greed

The quest for gold drives most actions, drawing out treachery within both gangs and the protectors. Ambitions clash as disguises peel away and the treasure becomes a target for double-crosses. The pursuit of wealth blurs lines between honor and crime.

🌀 Deception

Disguises and misdirection permeate the plot as characters pose as allies or enemies. Secrets surface through poisoned wine, hidden tunnels, and sudden betrayals. The truth remains elusive until the final confrontations reveal who truly commands the heist.

⚔️ Honor and Death

The film centers on duels and the cost of pride among masters of different fighting styles. Heroic actions come at a high price as key figures fall in battles that test skill, resolve, and the willingness to spare or take life. Death frames the moral choices of the survivors.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:36

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Kid with the Golden Arm Summary

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Kid with the Golden Arm Summary

Kid with the Golden Arm Timeline

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Kid with the Golden Arm Timeline

More About Kid with the Golden Arm

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