The film grossed over RMB 10 million at a time when a ticket cost 0.1 to 0.15 RMB. Over 70 million tickets were sold. An estimated 50 million audience watched it during its theatrical run in Mainland China.
Martial artists were gathered from Hong Kong and mainland China to appear in the movie. There are also three Japanese practitioners of the Art called Shorinji Kempo, who play Shaolin monks.
This film was the first Hong Kong-China co-production to be filmed in mainland China. The film was also the first such to use a Mainland cast and crew.