A Touch of Zen

1970 3h 0m ZH

🙌

7.6

BANGER

★7.6TMDB · 238

ActionAdventureFantasy

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Yang Hui-zhen, a mysterious princess on the run from corrupt government officials, is joined in her endeavors by skilled Buddhist monks and an unambitious painter named Gu Sheng-zhai.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Hsu Feng
Yang Hui-zhen
Shih Chun
Gu Sheng-zhai
Pai Ying
General Shi Wen-qiao
Tien Peng
Ouyang Nian
Roy Chiao
Abbot Hui-yuan
Tsao Chien
Magistrate Xu Zheng-qing
Miao Tian
Nie Qiu (Men Da's Advisor)
Melvin Chang Yun-Wen
Tao Lung

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: King Hu
Writers: King Hu
Languages: Mandarin
Countries: Hong Kong, Taiwan

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

RUNTIME

Did you know

At 180 minutes, this is a three-hour-plus commitment — longer than 95% of films ever made.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

56 years old — a genuine piece of film history.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: Hong Kong, Taiwan.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by King Hu, shot by Hua Hui-Ying. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Wu Da-Jiang. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

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

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Hsu Feng and Shih Chun and Pai Ying carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0064451 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

King Hu directs. Hua Hui-Ying behind the camera. Wu Da-Jiang scores. King Hu cuts. A long sit — settle in. Produced in Hong Kong, Taiwan. Dialogue in Mandarin.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1At 180 minutes, this is a three-hour-plus commitment — longer than 95% of films ever made.
256 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
3International production across 2 countries: Hong Kong, Taiwan.
4Directed by King Hu, shot by Hua Hui-Ying. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by Wu Da-Jiang. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor King Hu shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Hsu Feng and Shih Chun and Pai Ying carry the top of the cast.
8IMDB entry: tt0064451 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Released under 29 different titles around the world.