The 36th Chamber of Shaolin
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| The 36th Chamber of Shaolin | |
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 36th Chamber of Shaolin poster |
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| Directed by | Lau Kar-Leung |
| Produced by | Mona Fong Run Run Shaw |
| Written by | Kuang Li |
| Starring | Gordon Liu Lo Lieh |
| Music by | Yung-Yu Chen |
| Cinematography | Huang Yeh-tai |
| Editing by | Hing Lung Geung Yen Hae Li |
| Distributed by | Shaw Brothers Studio (Hong Kong) World Northal (USA) (dubbed) |
| Release date(s) |  1978 June 1, 1979 |
| Running time | 115 minutes |
| Language | Mandarin |
| Followed by | Return to the 36th Chamber |
| Allmovie profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (少林三十六房, Shào Lín sān shí liù fáng) also known as The Master Killer and Shaolin Master Killer is a Shaw Brothers kung fu film directed by Lau Kar-leung and starring Gordon Liu.
The film follows a fictional version of San Te, a legendary Shaolin martial arts disciple who trained under the general Zhi Shan, portrayed by the director's adopted brother Gordon Liu.
36th Chamber of Shaolin is widely considered to be one of the greatest kung fu films and a turning point in its director's and star's careers.[1][2][3] It was followed by Return to the 36th Chamber, which was more comedic in presentation and featured Gordon Liu as the new main character with another actor in the smaller role of San Te, and Disciples of the 36th Chamber.
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[edit] Plot
A young student is drawn by his activist teacher into the local rebellion against the Manchu government. The government officials suppress the uprising and liquidate the school, killing friends and family members as well. The young man seeks vengeance. Wounded in an attack by Manchu henchmen, he flees to the Shaolin temple and seeks training in kung fu. Initially the Buddhist monks reject him, since he is an outsider, but the chief abbot takes mercy on the young man and lets him stay. One year later, he begins his martial arts training in the temple's 35 chambers and advances more rapidly than any previous student.
However, as he nears the end of his education, the temple officially exiles him as a disguised way to allow him to aid the people against the oppressors. He returns to the outside world, namely to his hometown, and assists the people by teaching them martial arts. Before the political revolution he is inspiring is complete, he is forced into conflict with his rival the official. Finally, he triumphs and returns to the Shaolin temple, where he establishes the 36th chamber, a special martial arts class for common people to learn kung fu without having to become a monk or nun first.
[edit] Distribution
The film received a DVD release by the Weinstein Company's Asian label, Dragon Dynasty on June 19, 2007. The DVD features commentary by the RZA and film critic Andy Klein, and an interview with Gordon Liu.
[edit] Reception
36th Chamber of Shaolin is widely considered to be one of the greatest kung fu films ever made and a higly influential entry in the genre.[1][2][3]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Pollard, Mark (2007-06-26). Movie Reviews: 36th Chamber of Shaolin. Kung Fu Cinema.
- ^ a b Neveu, Janick (2003-08-27). 36th Chamber of Shaolin Review. Kung Fu Cult Cinema.
- ^ a b Sanjuro (2003). Reviews: The 36th Chamber of Shaolin. LoveHKFilm.com.
