The 36th Chamber of Shaolin [Blu-ray]

The 36th Chamber of Shaolin [Blu-ray] Review

While 1978's Shaw Brothers classic "The 36th Chamber of Shaolin" may not have achieved the kind of instant cult status that had greeted Bruce Lee's "Enter the Dragon" a few years earlier, it's still an unusually ambitious and compulsively watchable martial-arts movie that effectively mixes heavy Eastern philosophy, nationalistic mythmaking, and scores of righteous tail-kicking. In a deservedly career-making lead performance, Gordon Liu makes for a commanding presence as Liu Yu-De (later renamed San Ta), who's introduced to viewers as an unimposing student living through tumultuous times in China's Canton province. Fed up with the imperious Tartar rulers who make life miserable for the Cantonese every chance they get, Liu Yu-De takes the bold step of joining the monks at Shaolin Temple in the hopes of using the liberating power of Kung Fu against his people's oppressors. The movie isn't exactly subtle in its pro-nationalist message or in its portrayal of the Tartars' brutality, but as with most martial arts movies subtlety is less important than the telling of a stirring story with a relatable hero and convincing action scenes, and on that front "The 36th Chamber" is a near-total success.

In spite of its decidedly serious subject matter, "The 36th Chamber" still manages to be one highly enjoyable movie to watch, owing almost as much to its brisk pace and interesting plot structure as to its myriad of rousing Kung Fu battles. Those who enjoy action-movie training sequences as much as this reviewer should find plenty to enjoy here--its middle third or so is essentially one extended montage highlighting some of the nifty training techniques and weaponry used by the Shaolin, tied in with its protagonist's transformation from scared student Liu Yu-De into fearsome, steely-eyed avenging angel San Ta. The film's personal story of San Ta's spiritual and physical evolution is bookended by opening and closing acts that nicely establish the historical and personal context for his arduous journey and feature some rather scintillating fight sequences of their own (the final battle between San Ta and Lo Lieh's arch-villain General Tien, featuring San Ta's patented three-jointed stick, is especially memorable). Those who enjoyed the likes of "Enter the Dragon" and Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill" (in which Liu himself plays a pair of classic roles) should definitely consider themselves obligated to check this movie out, along with the also-excellent earlier Shaw Brothers effort "King Boxer."

The 36th Chamber of Shaolin [Blu-ray] Overview

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, where he plots revenge upon the enemies who ravaged his village.

The 36th Chamber of Shaolin [Blu-ray] Specifications

A pure old-school martial arts movie, beloved by aficionados, that also appeals to nonfans simply as a rousing action film. The often-imitated fact-based plot (see The Karate Kid) centers upon the rigorous training process undergone in the mid-19th century by the anti-Manchu Chinese patriot San Te (Gordon Liu). It's depicted as a grueling voyage into the unknown. Cast out of his home village when he stands up to the cruel warlord (Lo Lieh) who slaughtered his parents, the refugee seeks out the martial monks of the Shaolin Temple, who steer him through a torturous series of "chambers"--horrendous ordeals designed to build strength and agility--before he's even allowed to study boxing or swordfighting. Finally he defeats a rival by inventing a brand-new weapon, the three-section chain-linked staff. But innovation can be carried only so far; when San Te suggests opening a "36th chamber" in the temple that would teach Shaolin techniques to the populace at large (so that they can fight the nasty Manchus) he is drummed out of the corps. Naturally he returns to his home village, slaughters the baddies, and prepares to open China's first public Shaolin-style kung fu school. Many of the pupils San Te recruits in the final reel became legendary martial artists in their own right, the "Fathers of the Church" of the Chinese kung fu tradition. This is strong action entertainment with real historical resonance. --David Chute

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