I have watched this about 5 times and it never gets old. There are so many great things about this film that makes it stand out among all the other martial arts films of its time. It carries a seriousness to it and has a good message.
I know there is a true significance to this film if you are from Asia and know more about the history and culture, but that is irrelevant when it comes to seeing the beauty in this film.
After a man's village and family is destroyed he goes to the infamous Shaolin-Temple to learn the art of fighting know as Kung-Fu. The monks at Shaolin don't let outsiders in, but give this young man a chance to prove himself and puts him underway through the 35 chambers of training. He goes way beyond their expectations and becomes a true master at all he does.
Once he gets to the end he is given a chance to be the head teacher of any of the 35 chambers he chooses but asks to start a 36th chamber allowing him to teach the art to outsiders helping them learn to fight and protect themselves. He is told that such a thing is unheard of and the Shaolin monks do not teach outsiders. Ultimately he goes back to his old village and stands up and fights and takes charge of his old village, and then proceeds to teach the people there how to fight.
This movie's plot has been done a lot even as far back as David Carradine in Kung Fu in 1972, but there's something about this film that makes it great. Other films have had the Shaolin training aspects, but none have focused as well and been as relevant as this one was.
Brothers Chi-Liang Liu and Gordon Liu are a nice package. Chi Liang's direction is simply beautiful. From his trademark solo technique training shots his movies often begin with to his wide long shots capturing tons of action in what appears to be a small frame. His close-ups are intense, and his long shots are breathtaking and haunting at times. Gordon Liu is the star and my all time favorite guy to watch fight. He has the look I like, he has an appropriate body and he looks so superhero like, yet normal and believable at the same time. Liu's style and techniques are unmatchable. His choreography is eye popping goodness. I could literally watch him fight all day. Between his 70's classics all the way to his double roles in KILL BILL, he is just an actor and fighter that I have the highest respect for.
The Shaw Brothers never let me down and I am so pleased and entertained with their films. The production is wonderful here, the acting is superb. The Music is fitting and it's a nice film. One of the best you will find in the genre.
With all that being said I must say I give it 8 stars. I loved the movie, but it's still not completely original enough for me to place it higher. It didn't have the comedy aspect these kung fu films do and I am very happy about that, but it also went by a bit quicker with story telling than I liked.. its very close to perfect film wise, but martial arts wise it would get a solid 10 from me.
I know there is a true significance to this film if you are from Asia and know more about the history and culture, but that is irrelevant when it comes to seeing the beauty in this film.
After a man's village and family is destroyed he goes to the infamous Shaolin-Temple to learn the art of fighting know as Kung-Fu. The monks at Shaolin don't let outsiders in, but give this young man a chance to prove himself and puts him underway through the 35 chambers of training. He goes way beyond their expectations and becomes a true master at all he does.
Once he gets to the end he is given a chance to be the head teacher of any of the 35 chambers he chooses but asks to start a 36th chamber allowing him to teach the art to outsiders helping them learn to fight and protect themselves. He is told that such a thing is unheard of and the Shaolin monks do not teach outsiders. Ultimately he goes back to his old village and stands up and fights and takes charge of his old village, and then proceeds to teach the people there how to fight.
This movie's plot has been done a lot even as far back as David Carradine in Kung Fu in 1972, but there's something about this film that makes it great. Other films have had the Shaolin training aspects, but none have focused as well and been as relevant as this one was.
Brothers Chi-Liang Liu and Gordon Liu are a nice package. Chi Liang's direction is simply beautiful. From his trademark solo technique training shots his movies often begin with to his wide long shots capturing tons of action in what appears to be a small frame. His close-ups are intense, and his long shots are breathtaking and haunting at times. Gordon Liu is the star and my all time favorite guy to watch fight. He has the look I like, he has an appropriate body and he looks so superhero like, yet normal and believable at the same time. Liu's style and techniques are unmatchable. His choreography is eye popping goodness. I could literally watch him fight all day. Between his 70's classics all the way to his double roles in KILL BILL, he is just an actor and fighter that I have the highest respect for.
The Shaw Brothers never let me down and I am so pleased and entertained with their films. The production is wonderful here, the acting is superb. The Music is fitting and it's a nice film. One of the best you will find in the genre.
With all that being said I must say I give it 8 stars. I loved the movie, but it's still not completely original enough for me to place it higher. It didn't have the comedy aspect these kung fu films do and I am very happy about that, but it also went by a bit quicker with story telling than I liked.. its very close to perfect film wise, but martial arts wise it would get a solid 10 from me.