Pilot (22 Feb. 1972)

After avenging the death of his teacher, a Shaolin monk flees China to the American West and helps people while being pursued by bounty hunters.

Director:

Jerry Thorpe

Writers:

Ed Spielman (teleplay), Howard Friedlander (teleplay),

Stars:

David Carradine, Barry Sullivan, Albert Salmi

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
David Carradine	...	Caine
Barry Sullivan	...	Dillon
Albert Salmi	...	Raif
Wayne Maunder	...	McKay
Benson Fong	...	Han Fei
Richard Loo	...	Master Sun
Keye Luke	...	Master Po
Philip Ahn	...	Master Kan
Victor Sen Yung	...	Chuen
Robert Ito	...	Fong
James Hong	...	Hsiang
Radames Pera	...	Young Caine
Roy Jenson	...	Fuller
John Leoning	...	Master Teh
David Chow	...	Little Monk

Storyline

From the tiger, he learns tenacity and power. From the white crane, gracefulness. And the dragon teaches him to ride the wind. It could take a lifetime to master just one of the many Kung Fu disciplines. But young Kwai Chang Caine knows them all. He was educated in a Shaolin monastery around 1800 by the monks. Against all forms of violence he face his ultimate challenge when his preferred master was killed by the hands of the imperial forces. After avenging the death of his teacher, as a Shaolin monk, he flees China to the American West and helps people defending the weak and fighting against the evil while being pursued by Chinese bounty hunters.

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Plot Keywords:

shaolin | shaolin monk | kung fu | psychotronic | tv series pilot | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Western

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 February 1972 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Stage 16, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros. Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Richard Loo here plays Shaolin Master Sun, a character he would reprise in two episodes, Kung Fu: Blood Brother during the first season, and Kung Fu: Besieged: Cannon at the Gates during the third. He would also feature in three other entries, playing three different characters: Kung Fu: The Tong, Kung Fu: Arrogant Dragon and Kung Fu: The Devil's Champion.

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Quotes

Master Po: What do you hear?
Caine: I hear the grasshopper.

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Connections

Referenced in Surf Ninjas (1993)

User Reviews

The best tv movie ever!

Everything seems to click right for this eastern western philosophical movie. The sound track is a bonus and the directorship is outstanding. The movie also introduced me to Taoism and I practice this metaphysical philosophy on a daily basis. I remember seeing the movie for the first time and I taped it and watched it over and over again until I had most of the lines by heart. David Carradine's role as Caine is moody and full of enlightenment. Every actor performs outstandingly well. Well worth the price to own or rent. -Paul