Shaolin Temple (1982 film)
| The Shaolin Temple | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Traditional | 少林寺 |
| Simplified | 少林寺 |
| Mandarin | Shàolínsì |
| Cantonese | Siu3 Lam4 Zi2 |
| Directed by | Chang Hsin-yen |
| Starring | Jet Li Yu Hai Ding Laam Yu Chenghui Ji Chunhua |
| Cinematography | Lau Fung-lam Chau Pak-ling |
| Editing by | Wong Ting Ku Chi-wai Li Yuk-wai Chang Hsin-yen |
| Studio | Chung Yuen Motion Picture Company |
| Release date(s) | 21 January 1982 |
| Running time | 95 minutes |
| Country | Hong Kong |
| Language | Mandarin |
| Gross revenue | HK$16,157,801 |
The Shaolin Temple is a 1982 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Chang Hsin-yen and starring Jet Li in his debut role. The film is based on Shaolin Monastery in China and depicts Shaolin Kung Fu.[1] The film was the first Hong Kong production to be filmed in mainland China.[2]
A remake of the film was released in 2011 titled Shaolin and starred Andy Lau, Nicholas Tse and Jackie Chan.[3]
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[edit] Plot
The film was set during the transition period between Sui Dynasty and Tang Dynasty.
The film opens with the scene of a novice about to be accepted into the Shaolin monastery. When the novice is asked about the vows of abstentions, the film goes into a flashback showing how he came to the Shaolin Temple; the novice was a conscripted laborer who was forced, with his father, into service of the warlord Wang Shichong, who ruled from Luoyang and assigned to oversee defences at a region near Shaolin monastery against rival warlords.
Provoked into retaliating against harsh treatment, the father was killed by the guards, but the son managed to escape and found refuge in Shaolin Temple, and was given the name Jueyuan. In the temple, Jueyuan eagerly sought to learn martial arts in order to avenge his father. During a failed assassination attempt of Wang Renze, he saved a local girl, Bai, who turned out to be daughter of one of his instructors from the temple.
Later, Jueyuan and Bai saved a man who was spying on Wang Renze's defences. The spy turned out to be Li Shimin, son of a rival warlord who founded the Tang Dynasty, Li Yuan. Li Shimin was discovered by Wang Renze's men, but managed to escape with the help of a group of martial monks from Shaolin. After Li Shimin escaped, Shaolin temple came under attack by an army for aiding Wang Shichong's enemies, but the army was defeated with the timely arrival of Tang's forces. After Wang Shichong was defeated, Li Shimin returned to the temple to reward the monks and proclaimed high honours for the temple.
[edit] Cast
- Jet Li as Chieh Yuan
- Yan Di Hua as Lan Ding
- Bai Wu Xia as Chun Hua Ji
[edit] Award nomination
- 2nd Hong Kong Film Awards
- Nomination: Best Action Direction (Yue Hoi, Ma Yin-tat, Pan Qingfu, Wong Seung-hoi)
[edit] Reception
The movie's popularity swiftly encouraged filmmakers in China and Hong Kong to produce more Shaolin-based movies.[4] The movie had a great influence on Shaolin Kung fu development. More and more foreigners have learned of Chinese Kung Fu and visited China to learn styles of fighting.[5]
[edit] Legacy
The film spawned a revival of popularity in mainstream martial arts in China.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ "Kung Fu Swansong". Newsweek. http://www.newsweek.com/id/56849. Retrieved 2010-10-015.
- ^ Mannikker, Eleanor. "The Shaolin Temple". allMovie. http://www.allmovie.com/cg/avg.dll?p=avg&sql=1:157378. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
- ^ "Jackie Chan, Andy Lau to star in new Shaolin movie". China Daily. 2009-10-22. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/showbiz/2009-10/22/content_8835520.htm. Retrieved 2011-02-03.
- ^ Hax, Carolyn (2011-09-09). "Popular Shaolin films blend martial arts, Buddhist spirituality". Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/popular-shaolin-films-blend-martial-arts-buddhist-spirituality/2011/08/14/gIQA0KsGFK_story.html. Retrieved 2011-09-30.
- ^ Learn Shaolin Kung Fu in China
- ^ Spence, Richard (2004-10-09). "Worldwide: Kung fu schools kick youth of China into action". Daily Telegraph (London). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/1473759/Worldwide-Kung-fu-schools-kick-youth-of-China-into-action.html. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
[edit] External links
- The Shaolin Temple at Hong Kong Cinemagic
- The Shaolin Temple at the Internet Movie Database
- The Shaolin Temple at AllRovi
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