“The wall may be low, but the buddha is high.”
The ultimate martial arts film when it comes to training, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin remains an amazing watch. Here, we get an intense look at the steps in the Shaolin style of martial arts, which includes lightness, balance, arm strength, wrist technique, eyesight, head movement, leg strength, broadsword skills, and staff movements. Through it all, we are being led toward a revenge tale which is both necessary and plotted out from the exploits of the beginning few moments of this script by the legendary Ni Kuang.
But nothing beats the fight choreography from Chia-Liang Liu (which is definitely dance-like) and the fast-paced cinematography from Huang Teh-tai, which includes fast zooms, great tracking shots, and a kinetic sense of rhythm and movement. Simply put, martial arts flicks don’t get much better than this.
Part of the longevity of The 36th Chamber of Shaolin also comes from the charismatic and sympathetic performance from Gordon Liu as Liu Yude, a student who finds himself taking refuge from the evil Manchu Government in a monk-filled Shaolin Temple who don’t usually take in outsiders. Liu is absolutely badass in the part. His trial by training-fire is both fierce and exhausting, but never incomplete as he rises in the ranks of a Shaolin master and Liu, whose bald head is a defining image, pulls it off with an excellent performance.
It is a martial arts film which has transcended the genre, becoming both a high water mark for Hong Kong cinema and a cultural statement thanks to both the influence of Wu-Tang Clan and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It is also one of the best action movies of all time, consistently ranking in the top 20.
Directed by The One-Armed Swordsman’s Lau Kar-leung and produced once again by the Shaw Brothers, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin comes to a head when Yude, after climbing the ranks of Shaolin training, when he decides to train ordinary people in Shaolin and creates his own weapon: the three-section staff. It is here where the revenge aspect comes into the picture as he must assemble a team to train, take down the corrupt government, and return to the Shaolin temple.
Co-starring Lo Lieh, this 2010 blu-ray release - thanks to the efforts of Dragon Dynasty and Celestial Pictures - also includes a feature-length commentary with RZA of Wu-Tang Clan and film critic Andy Klein.
Home Video Distributor: Dragon Dynasty and Celestial Pictures
Available on Blu-ray - March 2, 2010
Screen Formats: 2.39:1
Subtitles: English, English SDH, Spanish
Audio: Mandarin: Dolby Digital 2.0English: Dolby Digital 2.0
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; single disc
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A
A seminal classic produced by the founding fathers of kung fu film, the Shaw Brothers, this is the story of a student who undertakes a grueling program of martial arts training at the secretive and legendary monastery of Shaolin.
Video
Presented in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, gets its hands bloody and never once rinses its fists as beauty is birthed in this same blood, all with its audience in mind. It’s full of great atmosphere thanks to the sprawling script and looks visually eye-popping due to the upgrade. The visual poetry on display comes through in the city at the center of this meaty martial arts film, the crispness of the interiors and the exteriors in which some rundown locations become a playground full of blood, and the sudden violence which echoes throughout the film, including its big finale. Black levels are strong throughout, bringing out nice details in both the loud and quiet moments of this epic adventure. The tracking shots are glorious to behold in 1080p.
Audio
The audio is presented with your choice of a clean lossless Mandarin Mono DTS-HD Master Audio With New English Subtitle Translations.
Supplements:
Get ready for some exciting thrills and chills as heroes meet villains in a duel to the death, complete with awesome supplemental items, this release is legit.
Commentary:
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Featuring a vivid commentary with RZA of Wu-Tang Clan and film critic Andy Klein, this release is all sorts of fun. It is very detailed and helps the casual fan of Shaw Brothers develop more of an appreciation for this film.
Special Features:
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Interview with Gordon Lui
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Shaolin - A Hero Birthplace
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Interview with RZA, Andy Klein and David Chute
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Stills Gallery
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Trailer Gallery
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Commentator Bios
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Concert Video for Wu-Tang Clan's Gravel Pit
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Composite Blu-ray Grade
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MPAA Rating: R.
Runtime: 116 mins
Director: Chia-Liang Liu
Writer: Kuang Ni
Cast: Chia-Hui Liu; Lieh Lo; Yue Wong
Genre: Action | Drama
Tagline:
Memorable Movie Quote: "I should have learned Kung-fu instead of ethics."
Distributor: Shaw Brothers
Official Site:
Release Date: 1978 (United States)
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: March 2, 2010
Synopsis: A man studies kung fu at the Shaolin Temple to fight back against the oppressive Manchu government.
