The 36th Chamber of Shaolin

The 36th Chamber of Shaolin

Release Date

1979

Director

  • Liu Chia Liang

Cast

  • Chia Hui (Gordon) Liu
  • Ho Lieh
  • Lau Kar-wing

Young student Liu is urged to rise against the Manchu oppression in China, but the revolution has disastrous consequences. Escaping the massacre, Liu seeks shelter in the Shaolin Temple, where the monks train him in their famous martial arts skills.

A landmark in the Shaw Brothers repertoire, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin is considered to be one of the greatest kung fu films of all time. The film follows the trials and tribulations of Liu Yude, and later, San Te, as he embarks on a quest of Shaolin mastery to seek vengeance and liberation for his people against the Manchu government. Gordon Liu fully embodies the role of San Te, imbuing each punch, kick, and head-butt with the force and discipline of a dedicated Shaolin disciple, a performance that inspired the Bride’s training sequence in Kill Bill 2.




Photo courtesy of PHOTOFEST

Past Programs

2018

Kung fu and the language of hip-hop

Honolulu Museum of Art, Honolulu, HI