“七寸子”因为恶绅辱骂行人，一怒之下刀劈恶绅。逃亡途中，抱打不平，帮助落难的老英雄，同无恶不作的洋神父及其爪牙进行了生死搏斗。最后继承老英雄遗志，去刺杀来陕围剿李自成义军的朝廷命官。

“拼镢子”本是老实农夫，富家勾结官军霸占了他的土地，使他无以为生。他便以农具拼镢子做兵器，成了使富家和官军惊恐不安的侠盗，最后为保护无辜，从容受刑。

愤操子蔑视封建朝廷的律令，贩运私盐，与奸商赃官勾结的官盐局作对，他杀污吏心狠手辣，却和青楼女子相知相爱，对穷兄弟更是肝胆相照，以死求义。

马驹子杀了抛弃自己母亲的亲生父亲。同父异母的妹妹虎头不明真相，发誓为父报仇。她出巨资贿赂县太爷，县太爷将缉凶任务交给了狡猾凶狠的张捕快。当马驹子陷入魔网，命悬刀下时，知道了真相的虎头蒙面抢劫法场。兄妹俩为全大义，双双舍命。

“黑脊背”武艺高强，却身有残疾。同乐班的青年寇元庆为人仗义，爱打抱不平。元庆不会武功，却常冒名大刀客“黑脊背”去行侠，又在真“黑脊背”的暗中帮助下屡屡得手。后来俩人双双遇难。

卖醪糟的大贵和石榴被乡间无赖所欺，石榴挺身反抗，大贵却只会跪地求饶。大贵在外面卑琐懦弱，在家里却对石榴动辄拳脚相加。石榴忍无可忍，追求刀客仁厨子，俩人相亲相爱，大贵却卑鄙地刺杀了仁厨子。

“肉瓤子”是个憨厚朴实的乡野秀才，他舍下家小，入仇家当长工，寻机为结义兄弟卞风报仇。报仇的机会虽越来越多，但因为看到仇家仁义洒嘱删的一面，报仇的信念却越来越弱，和主家二房产生感情后双双自刎。

花翎子在家是个老人疼爱、孩子喜欢的少年，与嫂娘相依为命，做泥哨为生。在外面却是个声名赫赫的刀客，学得绝技，追杀恶匪，替兄复仇。

Dong Erbo, born into a scholarly family, resolves grievances through his benevolence and righteousness. The film establishes his chivalrous image through scenes like Dong Erbo caring for the daughter of the murderer of his father, writing a certificate of indebtedness in blood to a robber, and freeing a young man who accidentally killed a relative. He takes in and protects an orphan swordsman, ultimately dying during a crackdown by government troops. The film uses a rugged visual language to depict the desolate geography of the West, and through the portrayal of these chivalrous men who relentlessly avenge their enemies, it conveys the philosophy that "the sword cannot subdue anyone."

“鹞子”龙五少年时替父报仇，手刃歹徒。武孝廉陈民念其至孝，全力相救，使龙五母子得以逃到山里避仇。后来武孝廉家遭恶霸伤害，家破人亡，龙五知恩图报，隐姓埋名铲除了恶霸。