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Shaolin Temple
少林寺
1982 100 min China, Hong Kong 16+
★7.0
Action
Director: Hsin-Yen Chang
Trailers
Description
The Tang emperor is betrayed by one of his generals, who installs himself as emperor in the East Capital. The son of one of his slave workers escapes to the Shaolin Temple, learns kung fu, and sets out to kill the traitor who killed his father.
Worldwide:
$16.16M
Starring
Jet Li
Actor
Hai Yu
Actor
Chenghui Yu
Actor
Awards
1 win & 1 nomination total
Key opinion
The Shaolin Temple serves as a foundational martial arts epic that launched Jet Li's career through his authentic display of wushu mastery. While the narrative is a straightforward tale of revenge and spiritual growth, it is widely celebrated for its grounded, non-fantastical fight choreography and historical authenticity.
| Acting | Jet Li's debut performance anchors the film, seamlessly blending disciplined martial arts prowess with a compelling youthful charm. | |
| Cinematography | The fight choreography eschews modern wirework and excessive fantasy, favoring realistic, grueling sequences that highlight genuine physical training. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay effectively blends traditional Buddhist philosophy and the creed of non-violence with a classic revenge narrative, creating a resonant heroic epic. | |
| Originality | The portrayal of collective heroism—where monks succeed as a unit rather than through lone-wolf spectacle—offers a refreshing departure from typical genre tropes. | |
| Theme | The film's tone is split between those who view it as a grounded, serious historical piece and those who interpret its playful monk dynamics and revenge plot as a stylized fairy-tale. |