The stories ofShaolin monkshave long been a classic component of martial arts movies and have served as the basis for countless classic fighting films. As a discipline that combined Zen philosophy and martial arts with a rich 1500-year history based around the Shaolin Temple in Henan, China, the tales of Shaolin monks relate directly to legendary stories in Chinese folklore. With rich, incredible real-life inspirations to draw from, it’s no surprise Shaolin monks have consistently been a major tenet of martial arts cinema.
Many ofthe best Shaw Brothers productionswere related to the intense training and unique skillset of Shaolin monks. With movies from legendary stars like Gordon Liu, Lo Lieh, and perhapsthe greatest Kung Fu star of modern times Jackie Chan, Shaolin monks were seen in all-time classics likeShaolin TempleandThe 36th Chamber of Shaolin. For those looking for engaging martial arts movies that blend philosophy, discipline, and intense fight sequences,films concerning Shaolin monks deliver this on all fronts.
Heroism and romance came together in this story of the Shaolin Temple’s betrayal by the White-Browed Hermit. However, the hotheaded fighter Fang Shih-yu (Sheng Fu) vowed revenge and retribution against those who had wronged their temple’s honor. With some exciting fight scenes and a flashback structure fleshing out the characters' backstories,The Shaolin Avengerswas an enjoyable Shaolin monk fighting film, although it did very little to differentiate from other similar movies addressing the same themes and topics.
The historical revenge filmLegend of the Red Dragon, also known asThe New Legend of Shaolin, starred Jet Li and Chingmy Yau and told the story of a father and son battling the forces of evil throughout China. With well-executed fight sequences,Legend of the Red Dragonfeatured five young Shaolin monks being pursued by the government, each bearing part of a treasure map on their backs. While it cannot stand up to Li’s best work, there’s plenty of spear fighting, a healthy mix of Kung Fu and comedy, and an engaging insight into the practices of Shaolin monks and masters.
As a sort of pseudo-sequel to Chang Cheh’s later movie classicShaolin Templefrom 1976,Five Shaolin Masterscataloged Shaolin’s historic rivalries with the Qing Dynasty through the story of five fighters. Also known as5 Masters of Death, this martial arts favorite saw the five monks escape the burning Shaolin temple after the Qing soldiers destroyed it and reunite in a quest for vengeance. WhileFive Shaolin Mastersfailed to live up to Chang’s more iconic earlier work likeThe One-Armed Swordsman, it opened the doors for him to revitalize his moviemaking career later.
Fist of Shaolinwas just one of many in a string ofKung Fu movies made during the 1970sfor strictly commercial purposes. Without the artistry of classics likeReturn to the 36th Chamber,the appeal ofFist of Shaolinwas strictly in its fight sequencesand carefully choreographed showcases of technical marvels. The story follows a young boy becoming a Shaolin monk to avenge his murdered family. This narrative may have been done before, but it’s always a treat to witness when it’s done well.
As the third release in the loose36th Chambertrilogy,Disciples of the 36th Chamberwas the weakest of the trio but still remained an engaging and acclaimed Shaw Brothers production. With martial legend Gordon Liu returning as the Shaolin monk San Te, this entry saw him trying to protect the talented teen fighter Fong Sai-Yuk (Hsiao Ho) from corrupt Ching officials threatening to shut their school down. Despite plenty of exciting fight sequences,Disciples of the 36th Chamberjust cannot live up to the lofty expectations set by its predecessors.
The third entry in theShaolin Templetold the story of a young orphan trained as a monk and as a fighter in the Northern Shaolin school.Martial Arts of Shaolinfeatured Lin Zhi-Ming’s goal of being the best fighter in his school and his plans to avenge the man who killed his family by infiltrating his enemy’s birthday celebration. Like the rest of the series,Martial Arts of Shaolinfeatured Jet Li, blended action and comedy, and featured incredible fight choreography.
Shaolin Temple
Cast
Shaolin Temple follows the journey of a young man who, after escaping the clutches of a usurping general in the East Capital, seeks refuge and trains in martial arts at the Shaolin Temple. The film, released in 1982, showcases his quest for vengeance against the traitor responsible for his father’s death.
Despite sharing the same name,Chang Che’sShaolin Templewas not connected with the later 1980s martial arts franchiseand stood as its own all-star Shaw Brothers classic. Set around the Shaolin Temples' rebellion against the Qings, this thoughtful Kung Fu triumph featured several appearances from the actors who would later become the famed Venoms mob. With a strong narrative that was slightly bogged down by too many forgettable supporting characters,Shaolin Templesucceeded primarily due to its incredible action-packed fight scenes and expert choreography.
Shaolin
Shaolin (2011) is a martial arts drama directed by Benny Chan. The film stars Andy Lau as a warlord who seeks redemption after a tragic turn of events leads him to a Shaolin monastery. Supported by Nicholas Tse and Jackie Chan in key roles, the story intertwines themes of revenge, peace, and personal transformation within the backdrop of China’s war-torn period.
Martial arts icon Jackie Chan took over Jet Li’s role for the 2011Shaolin Templeremake, simply titledShaolin. This epic Wuxia reimagining told the story of a ruthless warlord (Andy Lau) seeking refuge at a Shaolin Temple after being betrayed, where he was given food, shelter, and protection from the Shaolin cook monk Wudao (Chan.) As a story of redemption,Shaolinboasted higher production values than the original, featuring plenty of action and an impressive ensemble cast, and would act as a good entry point for new viewers to discover Hong Kong-Chinese martial arts cinema.
Asa major inspiration for the iconic American rap group Wu-Tang Clan,Shaolin and Wu Tangwas an influential martial arts film directed and starring Gordon Liu. Telling the story of the rivalry between Shaolin monks and the Wudangquan, this classic story saw two fighters from different disciplines turn from friends to rivals by a jealous chief trying to eliminate opposing fighting styles.Shaolin and Wu-Tanghooked viewers right from the start with an excellent scene featuring a lone Wu-Tang warrior facing off against a squad of monks.
DirectorStephen Chow is a master at blending high-stakes action sequences with laugh-out-loud comedy, and this incredible skill was powerfully exemplified byShaolin Soccer. This martial arts sports comedy told the story of a downtrodden soccer star trained in the way of Shaolin Kung Fu by a master monk. This meeting of worlds brought together the fast-paced nature of soccer with the intricate and deadly practice of Kung Fu to tell an absolutely ridiculous but highly engrossing martial arts story.
