Shaolin Temple (1976 film)
Shaolin Temple | |
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Shaw Brothers Studio | |
Release date |
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Running time | 116 minutes |
Country | Hong Kong |
Languages | Cantonese Mandarin |
Shaolin Temple a.k.a. Death Chamber is a
Plot
The film opens with the chief Shaolin Monks realizing that time is not on their side and they must train more fighters to fight the
Elsewhere, escaped Ming soldiers Tsai Te-cheng, Hu Te-ti, Yen Yung-chun, and Ma Fu Yi arrive close to Shaolin looking for a place to hide from the Qing. Hu Te-ti suggests they go to Shaolin and they are instantly accepted, which frustrates three more students trying to get acceptance into the temple, Lin Kwong Yao, Huang Sung Han, and Hu Hui Chien. The three are eventually accepted and begin their obscure training. Tsai Te-cheng learns the
The Qing scheme to destroy Shaolin. Hai Hsein returns to Shaolin looking to recruit more traitors to set up the temple for a raid. All the accepted students become close friends and proficient in their kung fu, except for Fang Shih Yu (who is unknowingly learning tiger boxing but is impatient). He keeps getting into fights with Ma Fu Yi, who is disgruntled with being at Shaolin. A mysterious figure at night begins teaching Fang Shih Yu the tiger-crane style and he defeats Ma Fu Yi in a friendly spar. This sparks the curiosity of Hai Hsein as he takes Ma Fu Yi under his wing and recruits him as a traitor. Things begin to go sour at the temple due to the treachery of Hai Hsein and Ma Fu Yi and it is eventually attacked by thousands of Qing soldiers, and an all-out battle occurs at Shaolin Temple with only eight Shaolin devotees escaping the ensuing massacre.
Cast
- David Chiang – Hu Te-Ti
- Ti Lung – Tsai Te-Cheng
- Yueh Hua– Li Se Kai
- Wang Chung – Fang Ta Hung
- Tony Liu – Ma Chao-Hsing
- Wang Lung Wei– Ma Fu Yi
- Alexander Fu Sheng – Fang Shih-Yu (Fong Sai-yuk)
- Kuan Chun Chi– Hu Hui Chien
- Frankie Wei Hung – Hung Hsi-Kuan
- Kuo Chui– Lin Kwong-Yao
- Lee Yi-Min – Huang Sung Han
- Tang Yen-Tsan – Chu Tao
- Shan Mao – Shaolin monk Hai Hsein
- Chiang Sheng – Shaolin monk Man Yue
- Shih Szu – Yen Yung-Chun
- Ku Feng – King Man Kuei
- Lu Feng – General Hu Pei-Chi
- Tsai Hung – General Ching
- Wong Ching – General Shin
- Lo Mang – Junior monk
- Wei Pai – Junior monk (slain by Manchu archers)
Production
Shaolin Temple was the first film made by director Chang Cheh about the destruction of the Henan monastery without the action choreographer Lau Kar-leung.[1]
Release
Shaolin Temple was released on December 22, 1976 in Hong Kong. On the film's release in the United States, it was titled Death Chamber.[2]
Reception
Donald Guarisco of AllMovie gave a positive review of the film and called it "a solid, surprisingly thoughtful example of the kung fu genre that is worth the time for the genre's fans."[3]
References
- ^ Abrams, Simon (2021). "Film Notes". Shawscope Volume One (booklet). Arrow Video. p. 23. FCD2076.
- ^ "Shaolin Temple". Shawscope Volume One (booklet). Arrow Video. 2021. p. 22. FCD2076.
- ^ Guarisco, Donald. "Review - Shaolin Temple (1976)". AllMovie. RhythmOne. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
External links
- Shaolin Temple at IMDb
- Shaolin Temple at AllMovie