The 36th Chamber of Shaolin

"He who struggles initially, might succeed eventually, and even finally."

1978 1h 56m ZH

👍

7.5

SOLID

★7.5TMDB · 527

ActionAdventure

Synopsis

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During the Qing Dynasty, a fishmonger is killed by the reigning Manchu government for supporting the anti-government movement; his son manages to escape to Shaolin Temple, where he plans to learn its secretive brand of martial arts to seek revenge.

“He who struggles initially, might succeed eventually, and even finally.”

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Cast

Gordon Liu
Liu Yu-de / Monk San Ta
Lo Lieh
General Tien Ta
John Cheung Ng-Long
Lord Cheng
Wilson Tong Wai-Shing
Lord Tang San-yao
Wa Lun
Liu Yu-de's Classmate
Hon Kwok-Choi
Lin Zhen
Lau Kar-Wing
General Yin
Wai Wang
Teacher Ho

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Lau Kar-leung
Writers: Ni Kuang
Languages: Mandarin
Countries: Hong Kong

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

48 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

CINEMA

Did you know

Part of the "The 36th Chamber of Shaolin Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

AWARDS

Did you know

Directed by Lau Kar-leung, shot by Arthur Wong Ngok-Tai. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Frankie Chan Fan-Kei. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Lee Yim-Hoi shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

Gordon Liu and Lo Lieh and John Cheung Ng-Long carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "He who struggles initially, might succeed eventually, and even finally.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0078243 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Lau Kar-leung directs. Arthur Wong Ngok-Tai behind the camera. Frankie Chan Fan-Kei scores. Lee Yim-Hoi cuts. Produced in Hong Kong. Dialogue in Mandarin.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

148 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
2Part of the "The 36th Chamber of Shaolin Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.
3Directed by Lau Kar-leung, shot by Arthur Wong Ngok-Tai. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Frankie Chan Fan-Kei. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Lee Yim-Hoi shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Gordon Liu and Lo Lieh and John Cheung Ng-Long carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "He who struggles initially, might succeed eventually, and even finally.".
8IMDB entry: tt0078243 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Released under 20 different titles around the world.

The technical file

Cinematography: Arthur Wong Ngok-Tai
Original score: Frankie Chan Fan-Kei
Editing: Lee Yim-Hoi
Costume design: Liu Chi-Yu
Makeup / hair: Wu Hsu-Ching
Runtime: 116 min · 1h 56m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Original language: ZH
Certification (US): R
IMDB: The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978)

Part of

The 36th Chamber of Shaolin Collection

The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Return To The 36th Chamber and Disciples of the 36th Chamber together in one fantastic Set.

Also by

Lau Kar-leung

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Community reviews

What people are saying

No Such Agency2019-01-07
★ 10/10
Alternately known as The Master Killer and Shaolin Master Killer... This is the film to watch if you would like to watch classical martial arts weapons put in action by professional martial artists, not mere actors. Master Killer contains one of the longest and most impressive martial arts training montages ever put to film. I would like to add that Shaolin (2011) is in the same caliber of this movie, but with modern cinematography techniques and beautiful dark forest coloring. Use of the triple section staff (triple-staff)(tri-staff) | Use of Dual Kung Fu swords or Dao (double butterfly) (double broadsword) (double tiger hook) | Use of Bo Staff. In short, you will not grab so much weapon use from any other martial arts movie. - No Such Agency
BornKnight2024-01-03
★ 9/10
Almost half a century ago, one of the greatest Kung-Fu and preexponents of the genre, 少林三十六房 was done, being directed by Lau Kar-leung and written by I Kuang and tells the story of a village young student named Liu Yude that is drawn by his activist teacher into the local rebellion against the Manchu government. But the plans to overturn the evil general Tien Ta are discovered and a massacre follows - Liu Yude (played by), escapes and join the Shao Lin Temple to learn the martial arts in 7 years and returns now, as Monk San Te to confront and crush the oppressive regime, while coming out as the Master of the 36th chamber, created by him to enlist new followers. The great thing about this movie is the training sequences that make up for 75% of the movie, through them Liu becomes a Master of the arts by full determination and learns self-discipline. Formulaic as every other Kung Fu movie of the 70's the training steps differentiate this from other movies. Quite good Kung Fu scenes on the right time (nothing rushed) and beautiful choreography. The negative spots can be named as the blood (common red ink by the way) and the number of scenes filmed on studio - if their where done in the open the movie could be a lot better than it is. On the genre, a solid 9.0 out of 10.0 / A score, and a must watch to the genre fans.
CinemaSerf2024-01-05
★ 7/10
When "Liu/San Te" (Chia-Hui Liu) proves lucky to escape with his life after an attack by the governing Manchu on the school in which he "teaches", and in which his father is killed, he determines to seek out the legendary Shaolin monks and learn the art of kung fu. His work with these monks is a bit ignominious - a seemingly perpetual job sweeping leaves and keeping their monastery tidy, but a chance meeting with the sagely Abbot gives him a change to learn. Rather arrogantly he opts for the 35th level - and is soon taught one of the core values of their order. Humility. Starting again from scratch and after a few duckings in the water en route to dinner, he quickly masters not just the martial skills, but also becomes imbued in the peaceful and honourable traditions of Buddhism. His spiritual leader is sympathetic to his true purpose, though, and soon he is foraying into the countryside to wreak havoc and revenge on those who destroyed his home and his family. This is a solid and entertaining revenge story with plenty of action and quite a considered look at just how cerebral a way many of these essentially self-defence techniques were designed to be employed. Yes, much of the combat action is extremely well choreographed and does frequently lack any sense of authenticity - except, perhaps, at the end of the story when a duel with nemesis "General Tien Ta" (Lieh Lo) showcases the nimbleness of the young man's newly acquired patience and dexterity. This is a well paced adventure that avoids the trap of endless, repetitive, fight scenes; it nods it's head to the codes of decency and tolerance that underpin the lives of the monks and their teachings - and still manages to find a novel use for a bowl of rice.