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All Flixster 4.0 Stars (618) Want To See 283 Not Interested 2665
Female 3.5 Stars (175) Want To See 80 Not Interested 755
Male 3.5 Stars (443) Want To See 203 Not Interested 1909

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Plot: 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 ...( read more read more... )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

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Recent Reviews

  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    March 18, 2008
    Um dos filmes de artes marciai mais perfeitos que eu já ví. Que coisa mais linda dos deuses. Recomendo de coração.
  • 4.0 Stars
    MCT:
    December 2, 2007
    Gordon Liu is awesome in this kung fu flix that is highlighted by some kick ass training sequences; whether mastering the dynamics of the water logs to get his grub, banging a his head against some sandbags or battling his master one on one it's all good fun. When he returns to battle the Manchus no one stands a chance against the Super Jr Monk..A classic in style
  • 3.0 Stars
    MCT:
    November 24, 2007
    Amazing classic from the Shaw Brothers and a referency from the Wuxia Film.

    With an simple plot about revenge, heroes against corrupt leaders and the discipline of a great martial art like is the Kung Fu, this is a film that deserve a cult status.

    Interesting characters, humor, drama, violence and amazing action sequences, make this film highly recomended.

    So good that Dragon Dynasty release the film in DVD.
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    November 24, 2007
    Una de las mejores peliculas sobre artes marciales que he visto en mi vida, si no es que la mejor. Buenos golpes, buena historia, comica, oscura, entrenamiento, batalla original, todo, excelente.
  • 3.5 Stars
    MCT:
    October 2, 2007
    In some ways a feel "Return to the 36th Chamber" pretty much tackled the same plot better. But there's no denying in the kick-assness of this one.
  • No rating.
    MCT:
    September 1, 2007
    Completely pointless trying to rate movies on Flixster when they can't even list them by the correct title
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    July 18, 2007
    best best best best best best best bester besteristserst martial arts movie eeevvvveeerrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    July 17, 2007
    The story of San Te, the maker of the 36th Chamber of Shaolin! Bar none the best kung-fu flick ever. Gordon Liu is a beast with the 3-section staff!!!
  • Not Interested
    MCT:
    April 6, 2007
    *sings randomly*

    It wont let me reload to a better one and I'm too sleepy to think of something witty to say.
  • 4.5 Stars
    MCT:
    February 21, 2007
    A Classic. The fights arnt as good as alot of Kung fu movies but the story is cool and about 65% of the movie is devoted him training at shaolin temple which really just needs to be seen. A truely great movie.
  • 4.5 Stars
    MCT:
    February 3, 2007
    ONE OF GORDON LIU'S BEST AND AN OLD SCHOOL MARTIAL ARTS CLASSIC FROM SHAW BROS. DIG THE TRAINING SEQUENCE
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    January 18, 2007
    bad ass front to back. shaw brothers film. as in all their films, people are practicing traditional kung fu sets in the film.
  • 4.5 Stars
    MCT:
    October 5, 2006
    One of the best oldskool kung fu movies out there. This is also known as "The 36th chamber on shaolin" An Shaw Brothers classic
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    August 30, 2006
    I had high hopes for this martial arts piece since I had read that it pretty much is the best (old school) martial arts movie out there. They weren't wrong.
    Movie was very enjoyable even when martial arts wasn't involved, but the whole martial arts was So good in this, which of course matters most in genre-films.
    (I hate it when they can't make one name for Western releases of Asian movies, I saw this one under name of 36th Chamber of Shaolin, which happens to be much better name than the one used here)
  • 4.5 Stars
    MCT:
    June 19, 2006
    One of the all time best old-school kung fu flicks. Starring Gordon Liu (from Kill Bill) in an early role as he trains for vengeance at the Shaolin Temple.

My Friends Said...

Details

  • Rated: (Unrated)
  • Directed by: No information available.
  • Genres: Art House & International, Action & Adventure
  • Released: January 1, 1978
  • DVD Released: October 12, 1999

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