The 36th Chamber of Shaolin – Review

Gordon Liu stars as a young man who’s friends and family have been killed by the new government. Watching Gordon grow up into a man is remarkable to see. This is a classic because it deserves to be. Unlike many HK martial arts films, this one does not have wire-fu and ridiculous side antics and comedy that distract from the plot. All of the fighting sequences are awesome, and the training sequences will probably never be matched. The acting, directing, cinematography, and fight choreography are all first rate.

36th Chamber of Shaolin is as good a place to start as any if you’re interested in the Kung Fu cinema. And if you’re already into Kung Fu, you’ve probably heard of this in the least, and I can’t imagine why you haven’t seen it. The film excels in showing us his dedicated training as he progresses through these chambers, learning to fight like a Shaolin monk.

He asks for a new chamber to be created – a ’36th Chamber’ whereby he can train outsiders in the skills of Shaolin kung fu but is banned from the Temple for the idea. He inevitably goes back to his own village to seek vengeance on those that killed his family. Secondly, the movie talks about bringing archaic knowledge to all sections of society for its enrichment, like starting a 36th Chamber. he later chambers are handled more quickly and the process of each is shown through other characters enduring the tests while San Te is shown to be mastering them.

There is no denying the significance of this film. Gordon Liu is in top form in this as well. All true marital arts fans know this movie already as one the greats! If you have not seen, buy it, you will not be disappointed. The detail in the training sequences will make you squirm, as if you could feel the pain! From exciting and accurate training sequences, to amazing effects such as Shaolin Monks walking on water, and action scenes that leave nothng to be desired. There was a scene where Gordon Liu first starts his training in the kitchen washing rice bowls! A far cry from learning to fight. Nevertheless he develops the craft of washing dishes into an efficient system of flipping and tossing the bowls into perfect stacks. Everyone could learn a thing or two from this flick, as it comes highly reccomended.