Shaolin: Wheel of Life

2001 1h 16m EN

🙌

8.0

BANGER

★8.0TMDB · 2

ActionDocumentary

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Have you ever done a handstand... on the tips of your index fingers? How about snapping iron bars over your head as if they were bread-sticks? You'll witness these amazing feats and much more in this astonishing London performance of China's legendary Shaolin monks. In perfecting their martial arts prowess, these devoted Buddhists have honed their physical and mental disciplines to such an uncommon degree that their movements seem almost supernaturally powerful. From the athletic contortions of a young acolyte to an older monk being hoisted aloft on the points of sharpened spears, these men and boys have conquered and crossed boundaries of control that would strike most outsiders as impossible if it weren't for their living proof. In demonstrating these and other kung fu skills, the Shaolin also enact their history as an enduring order, providing a theatrical narrative that's literally breathtaking.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

John Hurt
Narrator (voice)
Tom Yang
Emperor
Cecil Cheng
Abbot
Jason Ninh Cao
Bad General
Wang Zhigang
Emperor's Assistent
Cheng Yun
Musician
Reijun Hui
Musician
Liu Ching
Musician

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Nick Morris
Languages: English
Countries: United Kingdom

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

Tight 76-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

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

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Nick Morris, shot by Barrie Dodd. 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 Barrington Pheloung. 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 Nick Morris shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

John Hurt and Tom Yang and Cecil Cheng carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0313595 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

Only 2 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Nick Morris directs. Barrie Dodd behind the camera. Barrington Pheloung scores. Nick Morris cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United Kingdom. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Tight 76-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.
225 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Directed by Nick Morris, shot by Barrie Dodd. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Barrington Pheloung. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Nick Morris shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6John Hurt and Tom Yang and Cecil Cheng carry the top of the cast.
7IMDB entry: tt0313595 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Only 2 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.