Movie

Shaolin Temple

1976 · 126 min

A patient, sprawling martial-arts epic that builds tension through training and intrigue before erupting into a desperate, bloody siege.

Overview: There is no place more hallowed in the martial art world than China's Shaolin Temple. This special place deserves a special epic, which is what the martial arts maestro delivers in this battle between a brave brand of Chinese boxers and literally thousands of Qing troops - complete with betrayals, intrigues, and such novel fighting machines as 108 wooden robots. The conflicts grow in complexity, intensity and even suspense as monks struggle to stay alive in the face of overwhelming odds.

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Tone: tensestrength 2 of 3
earneststrength 2 of 3
darkstrength 1 of 3
Pacing: measured, 2 of 4, from slow-burn to relentless
Attention: engaged, 3 of 4, from background-friendly to demanding
Themes: betrayal
loyalty
survival
violence
justice
Places: single country house
countryside
Era: period
Audience: adult
Form: ensemble
Content intensity: Gore mild
Language mild
Violence strong
Sex none

All scales, 0 to 10

Scales, 0 to 10
Scale	Value	0 to 10
Action	8
Horror	2
Humour	2
Realism	4
Romance	1
Tension	7
Darkness	6
Complexity	5
Emotional weight	6

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Details

Genres: action, adventure
Directed by: Chang Cheh
Written by: Ni Kuang, Chang Cheh
Starring: Alexander Fu Sheng, Chi Kuan-Chun, Wai Wang, David Chiang Da-wei, Ti Lung, Johnny Wang Lung-Wei, Elliot Ngok Wah, Wong Chung
Music: Frankie Chan Fan-kei
Cinematography: Kung Mu-To
Runtime: 126 min
Country: Hong Kong
Languages: Mandarin

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Shaolin Temple

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