I have a version from Saturn Productions that says the director is Vincent Leung. Also Wong Cheng Li (as credited in this movie) is being called by the name of Yen Fong, the leader of the Tiger Camp. Who did what is so confusing in most Martial arts movies. It's turned into a hobby of who's who. Wish I knew who was who in this one because some of the co-stars are awesome skilled fighters. Especially 2 of the 3 monks that are the main stars. The taller of the 2 is great with weapons and the short monk is just all around awesome to watch. Can't believe some of these guys didn't end up as successful as say Jet Li because their skills are so incredible. Lots of great fighting and skill in this movie. Just the dubbing stops it from being a 10 probably. Hwang Jang Li Forever!!!
9 Reviews
Great
AwesomeWolf5 November 2004
Version: Hong Kong Connection DVD. Dub only.
Pretty typical kung-fu movie title? Check. A dubbed only version, on a cheaply manufactured DVD? Check. Bought for $10 from a rack containing other titles such as "Strike of Thunderkick Tiger" or "Invincible Obsessed Fighter"? Check.
All signs pointed a b-grade chopsocky movie. I was wrong.
The movie follows the story of a Shaolin temple protecting some revolutionaries from the evil Manchu dynasty. Not much, but better than most of the movies I found this with (see above). The fights are pretty awesome, and surprisingly enough, as another poster mentioned, there was some great scenery.
Overall, this is a pretty good kung-fu movie: 8/10
Pretty typical kung-fu movie title? Check. A dubbed only version, on a cheaply manufactured DVD? Check. Bought for $10 from a rack containing other titles such as "Strike of Thunderkick Tiger" or "Invincible Obsessed Fighter"? Check.
All signs pointed a b-grade chopsocky movie. I was wrong.
The movie follows the story of a Shaolin temple protecting some revolutionaries from the evil Manchu dynasty. Not much, but better than most of the movies I found this with (see above). The fights are pretty awesome, and surprisingly enough, as another poster mentioned, there was some great scenery.
Overall, this is a pretty good kung-fu movie: 8/10
Definitely one of the better kung fu flicks
sarastro718 December 2004
Like one of the other posters, I found this movie (and several others) as a cheap Hong Kong Connection DVD, and didn't really expect the movie to be more than a third-rate rip-off of some Bruce Lee movie.
However, I was very pleasantly surprised. In terms of style, acting and production values, this Korean movie is in league with the serious martial arts movies of the Hong Kong tradition (compared to which Bruce Lee's westernized movies are mostly incredibly dull and poorly produced, except for some of Bruce Lee's actual fight scenes), and it features lots and lots of quality kung fu performances, both in terms of training and actual fighting. It's beautiful to behold, and just the kind of thing kung fu fans look for in such a movie.
The story is relatively weak, but the actors are pretty good. Never a dull moment here. The English dubbing is pretty terrible (even by the usual standards of English dubbing), but you get used to it.
The ending is *very* abrupt and kind of "uh...", but, ultimately that's all part of the charm!
A very good Shaolin effort from the Korean production team! If you're into kung fu movies, this is a movie you'll want to watch over and over for the beautiful moves.
Thus, for the top-notch quality fighting, this movie earns from me a rating of 8 out of 10.
However, I was very pleasantly surprised. In terms of style, acting and production values, this Korean movie is in league with the serious martial arts movies of the Hong Kong tradition (compared to which Bruce Lee's westernized movies are mostly incredibly dull and poorly produced, except for some of Bruce Lee's actual fight scenes), and it features lots and lots of quality kung fu performances, both in terms of training and actual fighting. It's beautiful to behold, and just the kind of thing kung fu fans look for in such a movie.
The story is relatively weak, but the actors are pretty good. Never a dull moment here. The English dubbing is pretty terrible (even by the usual standards of English dubbing), but you get used to it.
The ending is *very* abrupt and kind of "uh...", but, ultimately that's all part of the charm!
A very good Shaolin effort from the Korean production team! If you're into kung fu movies, this is a movie you'll want to watch over and over for the beautiful moves.
Thus, for the top-notch quality fighting, this movie earns from me a rating of 8 out of 10.
South Korean version of a stock story
Leofwine_draca23 February 2017
Warning: Spoilers
SHAOLIN: THE BLOOD MISSION is another cheapie detailing the burning of the Shaolin Temple by Manchu villains, with the twist that this is a South Korean movie put out by IFD films. Godfrey Ho's name pops up in the credits which you know straight away will be a mark of quality. The film is indistinguishable from other Hong Kong and Taiwan movies on the same subject matter, and made in a cheap, slapdash way.
The main characters are a couple of apprentice monks who spend their time goofing around in an uninteresting way. The acting is of a very poor standard with exaggerated caricatures rather than real people. The model seems to have been the Jet Li SHAOLIN TEMPLE films made during the same era. The only interest comes from Hwang Jang Lee in a stock performance as the unbeatable mega villain; he adds life to the film whenever he appears where the rest is boredom. Watch out for the PSYCHO theme which follows him around. Some interest is generated by Hwang Jang's presence in the extended climax, but this is generally a waste of time.
The main characters are a couple of apprentice monks who spend their time goofing around in an uninteresting way. The acting is of a very poor standard with exaggerated caricatures rather than real people. The model seems to have been the Jet Li SHAOLIN TEMPLE films made during the same era. The only interest comes from Hwang Jang Lee in a stock performance as the unbeatable mega villain; he adds life to the film whenever he appears where the rest is boredom. Watch out for the PSYCHO theme which follows him around. Some interest is generated by Hwang Jang's presence in the extended climax, but this is generally a waste of time.
This one is for all Hwang Jang Lee addicts.
suzanne-249 February 2004
I thought Sadae Solimsa would be another one of those kung fu films where there just isn't enough Hwang but I was more than pleasantly surprised. The man is seen quite a lot and looks as splendid as ever.
For me, I loved the scenery. This story is supposed to take place in a Shaolin Temple in the Hunan Province of China but the film was definitely filmed in Korea! It's too lush and green and beautiful to be anywhere else. The architecture of the temple is also very Korean. I loved it!
Fortunately, I acquired a DVD with a decent picture quality and the dubbing wasn't too dire. This also helped me enjoy the film's merits.
The fighting sequences are of a high quality and, as usual, Hwang really gives his best at the finale.
The only rather bizarre and surreal thing about the film was the 'chess' sequence in which Hwang and some other baddie are using women as chess pieces. I'm still not sure what that was all about. I can't help thinking it was all rather slightly kinky so I will definitely have to watch the film again to see what points I missed(ohh, what a chore!).
For me, I loved the scenery. This story is supposed to take place in a Shaolin Temple in the Hunan Province of China but the film was definitely filmed in Korea! It's too lush and green and beautiful to be anywhere else. The architecture of the temple is also very Korean. I loved it!
Fortunately, I acquired a DVD with a decent picture quality and the dubbing wasn't too dire. This also helped me enjoy the film's merits.
The fighting sequences are of a high quality and, as usual, Hwang really gives his best at the finale.
The only rather bizarre and surreal thing about the film was the 'chess' sequence in which Hwang and some other baddie are using women as chess pieces. I'm still not sure what that was all about. I can't help thinking it was all rather slightly kinky so I will definitely have to watch the film again to see what points I missed(ohh, what a chore!).
ENJOYED IT!
GOWBTW14 October 2004
This movie is one of my favorites in foreign martial arts films. Everything was good from beginning to end. The dreaded General Yuen Fong, killing all the rebels who had the hardest of all times trying the other half of a book. It wasn't blood curdling when branded one the rebels who wouldn't give out the rebel leaders location. Chan, Wi Yin, the tall monk, and Lam Min were the strong fighters in the movie. Mei Lin, the chess piece in Fong's Demented game was also the factor to the monks in the battle against The Tiger Camp. She really packed a punch against Chan's favorite brother monks. Master Han, the leader picked up a good fight against Yuen. And Chan gave it his all against Yuen, and won. This movie dealt with a lot of sacrifice, and though a price was paid, best way to handle it is to keep fighting. A 10!
Mediocre martial arts shenanigans.
BA_Harrison12 January 2018
Super kicker Hwang Jang Lee is the main reason to check out this otherwise mediocre mid-'80s kung fu flick (that feels more like a product of the '70s). Lee plays General Yuen, the evil leader of Tiger Camp, who swears to destroy the remaining rebels who oppose the tyrannous Ching dynasty. In order to do so, he needs to find the other half of a book that names all of the dissidents.
Ten years pass, and General Yuen still hasn't found the missing pages; his superiors aren't happy bunnies. Yuen redoubles his efforts, his search eventually leading him to a Shaolin temple where the kindly monks are sheltering a pair of fugitives, and whose leader just happens to have the other half of the much sought after book hidden under his skin!
Hwang Jang Lee's superb leg techniques are definitely the star of the show, the performer kicking his way through countless monks in his quest to find the book. The fight scenes that don't feature Lee are okay, but nothing special. Apart from Lee's flashy footwork, the only other noteworthy things about the film are a bizarre chess game using real women as the pieces, the removal of the book from under the skin of the Buddhist master's back, and the blatant use of Bernard Herrmann's Psycho music.
Ten years pass, and General Yuen still hasn't found the missing pages; his superiors aren't happy bunnies. Yuen redoubles his efforts, his search eventually leading him to a Shaolin temple where the kindly monks are sheltering a pair of fugitives, and whose leader just happens to have the other half of the much sought after book hidden under his skin!
Hwang Jang Lee's superb leg techniques are definitely the star of the show, the performer kicking his way through countless monks in his quest to find the book. The fight scenes that don't feature Lee are okay, but nothing special. Apart from Lee's flashy footwork, the only other noteworthy things about the film are a bizarre chess game using real women as the pieces, the removal of the book from under the skin of the Buddhist master's back, and the blatant use of Bernard Herrmann's Psycho music.
Hwang Jang gets Bloody and the laughs keep coming!
bickeler5 April 2012
Warning: Spoilers
This is not your typical Saturday afternoon Kung Fu flick no matter what some may say. Hwang Jang is great and there is fine action sequences with the monks. The rest is well Hilarious and in a good but also bad. At first I thought this was a comedy like Prodigal Son etc no no this is just a really really badly directed movie. I can't blame the actors as Hwang at his worst is passable and the story has meat to it. No the director couldn't make this one happen and in the end decided everybody gets snuffed or maybe that was his intention either the results are Hilarious at times akin to Airplane! The best is the Abbot with the book "sewn" into his back!Which kills him upon removal haha totally ridiculous but delicious just the same. In fact half the movie is insanely ridiculous(you have to watch the monks burn) but it's very amusing and Bootmaster Hwang throws a lot of kicks in this one. Definitely worth the watch to either see Hwang or laugh yourself to tears.
A good old school Shaolin vs. The Government tale.
ZhiZi8 September 1999
The General of the local government is sent out to find the second half of a sacred book that lists the names of revolutionaries in the territory. His search leads him eventually to a Shaolin Temple where the Monks eventually fight the government to protect 2 revolutionaries seeking the temple as a hideout.
It's a story thats been told before. But it is still worth watching. Lots of action. Some cool elements that I wont ruin for you. (Like WHERE the secret book is hidden.) As well as side stories as to the main Monk's relation to some of his pupils. Friendship between certain Monks, as well as between the 2 hiding revolutionaries.
I saw this back in 7th grade and loved it. But to the casual viewer it may be nothing special.
It's a story thats been told before. But it is still worth watching. Lots of action. Some cool elements that I wont ruin for you. (Like WHERE the secret book is hidden.) As well as side stories as to the main Monk's relation to some of his pupils. Friendship between certain Monks, as well as between the 2 hiding revolutionaries.
I saw this back in 7th grade and loved it. But to the casual viewer it may be nothing special.
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