The 36th Chamber of Shaolin

1978 • 111 minutes

About this movie

There have been many kung-fu movies set in the famed Shaolin Temple, but none have captured the monastery's martial arts world quite like The 36th Chamber Of Shaolin. Liu Chia-liang, a legendary director of the genre, made a star of his brother Gordon Liu Chia-hui in this look at anti-Ching Dynasty rebels and their revolt against the Manchus. Gordon Liu Chia-hui attains the ultimate knowledge of kung-fu by arduously mastering one chamber after another, eventually reaching the fabled 36th chamber. Armed with this knowledge, the monks engage in some of the most exciting battles ever staged in the history of martial arts movies. The film was Shaw Brothers' number one hit of 1978, and won the Best Martial Arts Award at the 24th Asian Film Festival.

Ratings and reviews

An amazing martial arts film by any deginition, tho I'm not sure the scene where Gordon Liu has to toughen his arm strength by strategically placed knives st his underarms is the way to becomeca hero. Torture is not the best teaching method to better spirituality. It's like the outdated btough love concept. It works the opposite of what's intended and does incredible damage to the soul.

This is an excellent, classic kung fu film. It shows great fights and some of the greatest training disciplines in any movie. Granted it wouldn't be allowed IRL. It's also a great introduction to San Te, the Buddhist monk that brought Shaolin Kung Fu to the world outside of the monastery. It prompted me to dig deeper into his true history.

Seeing this on the drive in movie screen or / a indoor movie it still stood out among the other movies in 1978 oh!! Baby,,,,,,and run run shaw classics