Product Details

• Released on: 2007-06-19
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC, Import
• Original language: Chinese, English
• Subtitled in: English, Spanish
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds
• Running time: 115 minutes

From Amazon.com
A pure old-school martial arts movie, beloved by aficionados, that also appeals to nonfans simply as a rousing action film. The often-imitated fact-based plot (see The Karate Kid) centers upon the rigorous training process undergone in the mid-19th century by the anti-Manchu Chinese patriot San Te (Gordon Liu). It's depicted as a grueling voyage into the unknown. Cast out of his home village when he stands up to the cruel warlord (Lo Lieh) who slaughtered his parents, the refugee seeks out the martial monks of the Shaolin Temple, who steer him through a torturous series of "chambers"--horrendous ordeals designed to build strength and agility--before he's even allowed to study boxing or swordfighting. Finally he defeats a rival by inventing a brand-new weapon, the three-section chain-linked staff. But innovation can be carried only so far; when San Te suggests opening a "36th chamber" in the temple that would teach Shaolin techniques to the populace at large (so that they can fight the nasty Manchus) he is drummed out of the corps. Naturally he returns to his home village, slaughters the baddies, and prepares to open China's first public Shaolin-style kung fu school. Many of the pupils San Te recruits in the final reel became legendary martial artists in their own right, the "Fathers of the Church" of the Chinese kung fu tradition. This is strong action entertainment with real historical resonance. --David Chute

Review
This 1978 cult favorite has rightly earned a reputation as one of the great kung-fu films of the 1970s. The 36th Chamber of Shaolin has all the elements of a classic martial arts film: a downtrodden hero who transforms into a kung-fu wizard, complex training scenes that allow the viewer to witness the development of his skills, and an exciting finale that finds the hero giving his powerful tormentors their just desserts. This listing of elements might make the film sound like a pro forma effort but The 36th Chamber of Shaolin nimbly sidesteps such a pitfall thanks to lean, effective storytelling: Ni Kuang's script gets the audience on the hero's side by carefully detailing all the challenges he faces on his way to revenge, and Lau Kar-Leung's direction places an emphasis on his training so the viewer vicariously experiences his metamorphosis from student to master. The end result of their combined efforts has a surprisingly epic feel, yet The 36th Chamber of Shaolin never becomes dull thanks to taut pacing and a superior performance from Gordon Liu; his dashing yet intense persona makes him a compelling focal point and his physical skills make the character's development into a martial arts master believable. His charismatic performance is nicely supported by a gallery of players: Hoi San Lee adds a paternalistic touch to the film as one of the senior monks, and veteran kung-fu star Lo Lieh makes a suitably imposing villain as General Tien. In short, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin delivers enough action to please the kung-fu crowd yet is strong enough in its storytelling and performances to win over those viewers who aren't automatically wowed by martial arts action. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide

On the DVD
Concert Video For Wu-Tang Clans's "Gravel Pit"
Interview With Star Gordon Liu
"Shaolin: A Hero Birthplace"
Feature Commentary by the RZA of Wu-Tang Clan and Film Critic Andy Klein
Stills Gallery
Trailer Gallery
Commentator Biographies

Customer Reviews

don't buy the Canadian version, unless you're French or want a headache
As usual, because this is an English/French version some compromises have been made. In this case on the audio track

As an English speaker, I can handle the English track being in mono, while the French version is in 2.0 'surround'.. but why is the Cantonese version also in mono at the expense of a larger French soundtrack? Surely the Cantonese version should be in 2.0 (or even better presented in 2.0 'surround' and mono), and the French and English versions should both be in mono

To make matters worse the Mandarin soundtrack, which I believe to be the original, has gone completely which is ridiculous

It annoys me that the French soundtrack has been given preferential treatment when this is a Hong Kong movie. Maybe next time let's all compromise on video quality so there can be a special high quality French version of a HK martial arts movie?!

Terrible sound ruins movie!
The movie's awesome but the horrible sound quality makes it hard to sit through. You can't hear any of the dialogue unless you turn up the volume real high, but then all the sound effects become deafening. Buy it because it's a classic, but know you will be disappointed.

This is a Five Star classic
The only reason I give this movie four stars is because of the poor sound quality. Gordon Liu is phenominal and was truly ahead of his time when he made these films in the late 70's. For those who don't know Gordon Liu, he was in the Kill Bill movies. Most notibly in Volume 2 when he trained Uma Thurman. I have heard from many people that say Gordon Liu picked up the torch that Bruce Lee left behind when he passed away. After watching this movie, I see what they mean. In a nutshell, at least half of this movie involves Shaolin training, the other half invloves storytelling / fighting. The Karate Kid is totally based on this film. And Terantino had all the reason in the world to pay homage to this man in his Kill Bill films. This is my favourite kung fu film simply because it has a sense of real history behind it...and it wans't "as" hokey as most kung fu films.
If you like fun, hokey kung fu films...Five Deadley Venoms is a must buy too.