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。

“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。

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。

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。

“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。

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."

“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。

电影讲述了渭城县孝义镇少年虎娃突遭家变，父亲被奸人所害，家产充公，后被车马店掌柜收留，忍辱负重学习红拳，最终为父报仇的故事。

关中女子李秀莲，集市上因一场意外与梁建国相识成婚。嫁入重男轻女、厚待长房的梁家，她隐忍度日，依靠缝纫手艺艰难创业。克服资金、同行打压、家庭纠葛多重困境，化解妯娌、同业恩怨，带动留守妇女就业，成长为妇女代表，靠双手拼出属于自己的人生。