Golden Needles

Another of the Weintraub/Heller rip-offs of the Chinese cinema, and certainly the most dull, cynical and reactionary yet, lacking the slim saving graces of either Enter the Dragon or Black Belt Jones. Its plot ties itself in dreary knots around the attempts of a couple of hired freelancers (Ashley and Baker) to obtain possession of an ancient Chinese statue which indicates the seven forbidden acupuncture points. The martial arts are peripheral, and anyway no match for Western muscle. Clouse once again proves himself one of the least competent directors around.