The Shaolin Temple (1982)
"Shao Lin Si" (original title)

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, ... See full summary »

Director:

Hsin-yan Chang

Writers:

Shau-Chang Lu, Hau Sit

Stars:

Jet Li, Lan Ding, Chun Hua Ji

1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Jet Li	...	Chieh Yuan
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lan Ding	...	Bai Wu Xia
Chun Hua Ji
Wang Jue	...	Ban Kong
Liu Huai Liang	...	Liao Kong
Qingfu Pan
Cui Zhi Qiang	...	Xuan Kong
Hu Jian Qiang	...	Wu Kong
Wang Guang Quan
Wan-On Shing
Jian Kui Sun	...	Se Kong
Dihua Yan
Du Chuan Yang	...	Wei Kong
Cheng-Hui Yu
Hai Yu	...	Shi Fu

Storyline

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. The monks have to help him, and in the process, they save the true emperor, who rewards them greatly. Based on a true story from Shaolin folklore, but highly fictionalized.

---

Plot Keywords:

emperor | shaolin | shaolin temple | betrayed | general | 

---

Genres:

Action

---

Details

Country:

China Hong Kong

Language:

Mandarin

Release Date:

1982 (China)

Also Known As:

The Shaolin Temple

Filming Locations:

Shaolin Monastery, Henan, China

Box Office

Budget:

CNY 1,200,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Chung Yuen Motion Picture Company, Zhongyuan Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film was the first Hong Kong production to be filmed in mainland China. The film was funded by a Hong Kong production company but uses a Mainland cast and crew.

---

Connections

Referenced in Iron & Silk (1990)

User Reviews

True martial arts movies without any fake

This join venture of Hong Kong and mainland China started the 1980's boom of martial arts flicks in China.

Jet Li is the protagonist in this movie and unlike his later works, there is no stunt, no cable, no crane, no other equipment, no special effect, no fake moves, and no artistic creations. Every move is real, and the Hong Kong producers & director ingeniously employed the Chinese martial arts athletes of provincial teams and one from the national team, Jet Li, instead of ordinary actors to perform, thus giving a very realistic view.