The Angry River (1971)

Here comes the bride! Who killed the bride? Who killed all her brothers? Poison dart is the villain. Angela's father is poisoned too. She must ride across Angry River, through Merciless Pass, and enter Soul Valley to get the Black Herb to cure her father. Somebody just get the girl a horse.

She goes directly to the river instead of to the bridge over the river. Looking at the water suspiciously she tosses in a rock and it bursts into flames. A bridge would be just the thing right now but a slack line is all there is. Angela uses it to cross. She finds there is a line of people waiting for the Black Herb.

The guardian spells out the rules. One is defeated, the other gives up. Angela fights and is losing but the master is impressed by her filial duty and lets her pass. Next it's cave monsters. She doesn't have a chance. The master saves her and gives her the black herb but the price is her powers.

The loss of her martial arts is the fatal flaw of this story. For the next hour or so she cannot really fight against all who stand in her way. This is not entertainment, it is just frustration until she can finally fight again.

Golden Harvest had a fantastic first year of production but looking at this movie, the first, you would never know it. Things do get better, way better. I have watched this movie for the second time to write this review and doubt I will watch it again.