Arrow Video UK Blu-ray Synopsis (Book): In defiance of the Qing authority, many patriotic people rush to the Shaolin Temple to learn kung fu. However, the Qing are intent on crushing the temple and its monks and students, thereby nipping their teachings in the bud. The Shaolin pupils are Fang Shiyu and Hu Huiqian, as well as many other courageous youths. Fang Shuyi is the son of Miao Zuihua, a successful female pupil of the well-known woman hermit and martial artist, Wu Mei. The main motive for these two youngsters Fang and Hu to enter the Shaolin Temple to learn martial arts is to avenge their fathers' death who were both killed by the pro-Qing, Wu Tang clique. Wu Mei, who is a teacher at the Shaolin Temple, agrees to instruct Hu Dedi and Cai Dezhong in the terrible art of using a whip as well as fists. In return, Hu and Cai must help Fang and Hu instruct the other residents of the Shaolin Temple. Huixian, an abbot at the temple, is a spy for the Qing Dynasty and secretly tries to disrupt the work of the temple. Collaborating with his subordinate Ma Yufi, Hui is ready to attack the trainees from within the temple, if and when the Ching soldiers are prepared to mount their attack upon the temple. Once Fang and Hu have successfully completed their training at the Shaolin Temple, they wish to leave in order to avenge their fathers' deaths; but fearing that their teachers will refuse their permission , they choose to run the gauntlet by fighting their way past 108 wooden robots. Whilst struggling with the robots, the traitorous Huixian, Ma and their henchmen, suddenly pounce upon them. Fortunately, several other patriot monks arrive in the nick of time to save the lives of Fang and Hu. In due course, because Fang and Hu succeed in avenging their fathers' deaths, they return to the Shaolin Temple. Meanwhile, the Shaolin Temple is suddenly attacked by several thousand Qing troops who are aided by the traitorous within that have immobilized and weakened the other monks by secretly putting poison into their well. The highest Shaolin authority and many of his followers die in a fire which subsequently rages through the Temple. Fang, Hu and Cai rally the remaining survivors and mount a successful counter-attack killing many of the Qing soldiers and traitors. When the battle is over, only eight survivors remain, Fang, Hu and Cai among them. They continue to fight the Qing Dynasty under the Shaolin banner. (119 Mins)

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Warner Home Video UK VHS Synopsis: From the studios of the legendary Shaw Brothers comes Shaolin Temple, a maelstrom of martial-arts action, kung-fu killers and some of the most lavish and epic battle scenes ever seen in an Eastern film. (117 Mins)

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Views: After spending 100 days on their knees in front of the Shaolin Temple, Fong Sai Yuk and his friends gain access to learn kung-fu in a bid to stand-up against the invading Qing Empire. While many other people have the same idea, only a few make it through the door including a band of Chinese patriots who have just returned from war. But they soon learn that there is a traitor among them, and find themselves fighting for their lives inside the temple as the Manchu invaders close in!

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While often over-shadowed by Jet Li's film of the same name, Chang Cheh's kung-fu opus actually came a good 5 or 6 years before it. Although it was made a few years after Heroes Two and Five Shaolin Masters, Shaolin Temple plays as a prequel of sorts to both films that leads to the burning of the temple by the Manchus – a scene that kicks-off both of the aforementioned movies. I often found it strange that Cheh would share his 'Shaolin Cycle' in this order, but to me he definitely saved the better one till last. Shaolin Temple is one of the Chang Cheh movies I would enjoy a little more than others, this time backed by the co-direction of the late Wu Ma. Once again, the film is backed by a great cast and offers up some strong kung-fu that is shared between fight scenes and plenty of training sequences. Coming in at 2 hours long, Shaolin Temple may seem long-winded and slow-paced for the most part, but it's far from dull and offers up some incredible training sequences (and sparring) for a good 90 minutes before the climatic finale. Fans of Lau Kar Leung's 36th Chamber Of Shaolin, Joseph Kuo's 18 Bronzemen, or even Jackie Chan's Shaolin Wooden Men for example, will love Shaolin Temple for the very same reasons (and actually pre-dates Leung's epic movie by a good two years).

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Alexander Fu Sheng plays Fong Sai Yuk, a role he had already played in the aforementioned sequel Heroes Two. I often mention how I'm not the biggest fan of this unconventional looking hero, but I must admit that I really enjoyed him in this and was impressed with his kung-fu skills on display. While he has often been referred to as the original 'clown prince of kung-fu' before Jackie Chan owned that title, I more often than not just found him to be irritating and annoying as opposed to funny – like Jackie could nail for the most part. Fu Sheng is joined by a host of familiar faces and a cast he has worked with many times over the years. These include the fantastic Ti Lung and David Chiang, who both play the swordsmen that seek sanctuary in the temple alongside their band of warriors. They also become the saviors of Fong Sai Yuk, who soon finds himself the target of the traitors. Yueh Hua, Lau Wing, and Wang Chung join the pair, as does the brilliant Johnny Wang Lung Wei – who I was hoping was going to get a good guy role for a change, but actually turns more villainous as the story moves along. The wonderful Chi Kuan Chun returns for his 9th role, and once again proves to be a scene stealer when it comes to the kung-fu action. Aside from some noticeable faces as the Shaolin monks, such as Shum Lo, Chiang Nan, and Lee Sau Kei, Shaw Brothers starlet Shih Szu cameos and actors Bruce Tong and Wai Wang return. Popular kung-fu star Shan Mao stars as the traitorous Shaolin monk, and does a fantastic job in doing so. Shan started his film career in the late 60s, and managed to wrack up about 120 films before passing far too early about a decade later. Shaolin Temple would have been one of the last handful of movies he would have starred in, as well as Showdown At Cotton Mill that saw him rejoin co-star Chi Kuan Chun once again. Aside from its great cast, Shaolin Temple would also mark one of the last times Ti Lung and David Chiang would star together for director Chang Cheh, with 1977s film The Naval Commandos being the final title.

 

But at the same time, it would also mark the beginning of a new team of actors who would work under Cheh for many years – a team of kung-fu stars more commonly known as the Venom Mob. The wonderful Philip Kwok joins the Shaolin disciples as does a very young Chiang Sheng, both in one of their first fuller roles. Lu Fend also boosts his credentials by taking on a bigger role for the first time – albeit one as the villainous Manchu fighter, General Gu Bei Zi. Popular kung-fu star Li Yi Min (aka Simon Lee) co-stars as another of the new Shaolin disciples, and isn't as annoying as he normally is. Li had already been delivering some strong roles over the previous 6 or 7 years in titles such as The Scholar Swordsman, The Hero, Champion Of Champions, Seven Man Army, and the Taiwanese Kamen Rider inspired Super Rider movies, before starring in this. Of course, after this, Li Yi Min would share his time between the Shaw Brothers Studios and Joseph Kuo where he would find more roles as a leading man and star in some of his more memorable titles such as 7 Grandmasters, Mystery Of Chess Boxing, World Of Drunken Master, and more. The fantastic Ku Feng (who has appeared in over 380 films from the late 1950s) cameos as the Qing Emperor, with fan favourite kung-fu star Wong Ching starring as another of his fighting generals. Also keep an eye out for future directors Jamie Luk, Robert Tai, and Stephen Yip who pop-up as extras throughout...

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I thoroughly enjoy Chang Cheh's Shaolin Temple, with the final 25 to30 minutes being one of the best finales of any Shaw Brothers film and offering some incredible martial arts action. This is all courtesy of choreographers Hsieh Hsing and Chen Hsin I – two names who are well known in kung-fu cinema. The former starred in over 60 films during the course of his 12 year career, including classics like The Begging Swordsman, The Ghost Hill, 8 Dragon Swords, and a host of Jimmy Wang Yu titles from One-Armed Boxer to Beach Of The War Gods. He directed his own film in 1979 called The Bone Crushing Kid, and choreographed over 30 films including Hurricane, Marco Polo, Seven Man Army, New Shaolin Boxers, The Naval Commandos, and Return Of The Chinese Boxer. Interestingly enough, Chen followed a very similar path indeed, starring in just as many over the same amount of time which included Dragon & Tiger, Seven Man Army, To Kill With Intrigue, Snake & Crane Arts Of Shaolin, Lady Constables, and more. He directed The True Game Of Death the same year as Hsieh directed his own movie, and choreographed almost 30 titles including One-Armed Swordswoman, Marco Polo, Seven Man Army, The Killer Meteors, Filthy Guy, and To Kill With Intrigue – once again with Hsieh. Between them, I think they put the best of their work on screen in Shaolin Temple, and especially for the grand finale, that allows each of the stars to show off some amazing work between them!

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Overall: An epic Shaw Brothers production, Shaolin Temple is one of my favourite Chang Cheh films and well worth the watch!

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Arrow Video Blu-ray Extras: Appreciation Film of Chang Cheh by Tony Rayns, Alternate Standard Definition Version, Interview with Kong Do, Featurettes on David Chiang and Ti Lung, Alternate Opening Credits, Trailers, Image Gallery​