The 36th Chamber of Shaolin
Encyclopedia
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 1978 Shaw Brothers kung fu film directed by Liu Chia-liang and starring Gordon Liu
.
The film follows a highly fictionalized version of San Te
, a legendary Shaolin martial arts disciple who trained under the general Chi 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. 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
.
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. San Te 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. Along the way, he is depicted as inventing the three section staff.
However, as San Te nears the end of his education, the temple officially exiles him as a surreptitious 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 to complete, he is forced into conflict with the Manchu governor. Finally, he triumphs and returns to the Shaolin temple, where he establishes the 36th chamber, a special martial arts class for laypeople to learn kung fu.
on June 19, 2007. The DVD features commentary by the RZA
and film critic Andy Klein, and an interview with Gordon Liu. A blu-ray release of the film is scheduled for March 2, 2010 from Vivendi Visual Entertainment.
The Wu-Tang Clan
named their debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
.
Gordon Liu
Gordon Liu is a Chinese martial arts film actor. He became famous for playing the lead in The 36th Chamber of Shaolin and its sequels...
.
The film follows a highly fictionalized version of San Te
San Te
The San Te or San-De monk was a legendary Shaolin martial arts disciple who trained under the general Zhi Shan. His given name was not San-De, it was said to be Liu Yude. The title San-De means "Three Harmonies" or "Three Virtues"...
, a legendary Shaolin martial arts disciple who trained under the general Chi 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. It was followed by Return to the 36th Chamber
Return to the 36th Chamber
Return To The 36th Chamber is a 1980 Shaw Brothers Studio Hong Kong martial arts comedy film starring Gordon Liu. It is directed by Lau Kar-Leung and written by Ni Kuang...
, 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
Disciples of the 36th Chamber
Disciples Of The 36th Chamber is a 1985 Shaw Brothers Studio Hong Kong martial arts film comedy written, directed and choreographed Lau Kar-leung...
.
Plot
A young student named San TeSan Te
The San Te or San-De monk was a legendary Shaolin martial arts disciple who trained under the general Zhi Shan. His given name was not San-De, it was said to be Liu Yude. The title San-De means "Three Harmonies" or "Three Virtues"...
is drawn by his activist teacher into the local rebellion
Rebellion
Rebellion, uprising or insurrection, is a refusal of obedience or order. It may, therefore, be seen as encompassing a range of behaviors aimed at destroying or replacing an established authority such as a government or a head of state...
against the Manchu
Manchu
The Manchu people or Man are an ethnic minority of China who originated in Manchuria . During their rise in the 17th century, with the help of the Ming dynasty rebels , they came to power in China and founded the Qing Dynasty, which ruled China until the Xinhai Revolution of 1911, which...
government. The government officials suppress the uprising and liquidate the school, killing friends and family members as well. San Te seeks vengeance
Revenge
Revenge is a harmful action against a person or group in response to a grievance, be it real or perceived. It is also called payback, retribution, retaliation or vengeance; it may be characterized, justly or unjustly, as a form of justice.-Function in society:Some societies believe that the...
. 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
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
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. Along the way, he is depicted as inventing the three section staff.
However, as San Te nears the end of his education, the temple officially exiles him as a surreptitious 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
Revolution
A revolution is a fundamental change in power or organizational structures that takes place in a relatively short period of time.Aristotle described two types of political revolution:...
he is inspiring to complete, he is forced into conflict with the Manchu governor. Finally, he triumphs and returns to the Shaolin temple, where he establishes the 36th chamber, a special martial arts class for laypeople to learn kung fu.
Cast
The trailer (included as an extra on the DVD) credits the cast as follows:- Monk San TeSan TeThe San Te or San-De monk was a legendary Shaolin martial arts disciple who trained under the general Zhi Shan. His given name was not San-De, it was said to be Liu Yude. The title San-De means "Three Harmonies" or "Three Virtues"...
- portrayed by Liu Chia-Hui - General Tien Ta - portrayed by Lo LiehLo LiehLo Lieh was a Hong Kong actor in martial arts films. His real name is Wang Lap Tat. After his parents sent him back to China he attended acting school in Hong Kong. He began his martial arts training in 1962 and joined the Shaw Brothers Studio in the same year and went on to become one of the...
- Rice Miller Six - portrayed by Wang YuWong YueWong Yue was a Hong Kong martial arts film actor. He starred in many Shaw Brothers Studio films and is known for his comic roles in films with Gordon Liu, such as Dirty Ho, Spiritual Boxer II, 'The 36th Chamber of Shaolin and Eight Diagram Pole Fighter.He is sometimes credited as Wong Yu and as...
- Hung Hsi-Kuan - portrayed by Yu Yang
- Lu Ah Tsai - portrayed by Hsu Shao-Chiang
- Tung Chien-Ching - portrayed by Wu Hang-Sheng
Distribution
The film received a DVD release by the Weinstein Company's Asian label, Dragon DynastyDragon Dynasty
Dragon Dynasty is a joint venture started by The Weinstein Company and Genius Products. The company was created on May 23, 2006 for the sole purpose of distributing East Asian films on DVD in the US, whose licenses are held by, or will be acquired by The Weinstein Company...
on June 19, 2007. The DVD features commentary by the RZA
RZA
Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, better known by his stage name RZA , is an American Grammy-winning music producer, multi-instrumentalist, author, emcee, and occasional actor, director, and screenwriter. A prominent figure in Hip Hop, RZA is the de facto leader of the Wu-Tang Clan. He has produced almost...
and film critic Andy Klein, and an interview with Gordon Liu. A blu-ray release of the film is scheduled for March 2, 2010 from Vivendi Visual Entertainment.
Reception
36th Chamber of Shaolin is widely considered to be one of the greatest kung fu films ever made and a highly influential entry in the genre.The Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
The Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group from Staten Island that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group...
named their debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Enter the Wu-Tang is the debut album of American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, released November 9, 1993, on Loud Records and distributed through RCA Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during 1992 to 1993 at Firehouse Studio in New York City, and it was mastered at The Hit Factory...
.