Shaolin Temple

1982 · KonCategoryIII

The Shaolin Temple (少林寺) is a 1982 martial arts film directed by Chang Hsin Yen and starring Jet Li in his debut role (credited as Jet Lee in the film) along with Ding Lan and Yu Hai in supporting roles. A Hong Kong-Chinese co-production, the film is based on the Shaolin Monastery in China and depicts Shaolin Kung Fu . [ 1 ] The film was among the first major co-productions between Hong Kong and mainland China, and the first to be filmed in mainland China with a mostly mainland cast. [ 2 ] The film's plot has an episodic storytelling structure while combining action, comedy and romance elements. [ 3 ] It was the first martial arts film to be made in mainland China after the founding of the People's Republic of China ; up until then, kung fu films and wuxia films were mostly made in Hong Kong and Taiwan . It was also the first film to be shot at the Shaolin Monastery. [ 4 ] It sold an estimated 500 million tickets at the Chinese box office, and is estimated to be China's highest-grossing film ever when adjusted for inflation. The film's success established Jet Li as the first Mainland Chinese star of Hong Kong, and later Hollywood . [ 1 ] It was also largely responsible for turning the Shaolin Monastery into a major tourist destination, both within China and internationally. [ 4 ] A remake of the film was released in 2011 titled Shaolin and starred Andy Lau , Nicholas Tse and Jackie Chan . [ 5 ] Plot In China, during the rebellions at the end of the Sui dynasty , the general Wang Shichong installs himself as Prince of Zheng in the eastern capital of Luoyang. His nephew, Wang Renze, oversees the bolstering of his riverfront defenses against the rival warlords on the bank of the Yellow River. The work of the slaves is not fast enough for him, so he orders his prisoners, who are captured rebels, to join the slaves. These rebels include martial artist "Divine Leg Zhang," who witnesses the brutal flogging of the laborers and steps forward to defend them. Wang Renze personally intervenes and severely injures Zhang. Zhang's son, Xiaohu, attempts to stop him, but is easily defeated by Wang Renze. Zhang is killed by Wang Renze as Xiaohu escapes into the Yellow River, eventually drifting ashore and fainting at the gates of the Shaolin Temple. The Sifu persuades the Abbot to take in Xiaohu, despite the temple's supervisor monk's concern that Xiaohu will bring trouble to Shaolin. The Sifu and his pupils nurse Xiaohu back to health. After he recovers, Xiaohu joins the monks in carrying water from the river to the temple. He struggles, and but is watched by shepherd Bai Wuxia, who sends her dog to chase him. Xiaohu accidentally suffocates the dog, but decides to roast and eat the dog meat with the Sifu and the other pupils. Upon discovering this, Bai Wuxia is furious at Xiaohu, but the Sifu mediates. Xiaohu learns that Bai Wuxia is the Sifu's daughter, and nine years before, they fled Wang Renze's soldiers, reaching the Temple. Wanting to kill Wang Renze, Xiaohu asks the Sifu to train him in Shaolin martial arts. The Sifu says that Shaolin martial arts are for defense, not killing, and that Xiaohu is not a monk. Xiaohu resolves to become a monk. His head is shaven, and the Abbot ordains him as a junior monk, giving him the Dharma name "Jue Yuan." Jue Yuan begins Shaolin martial arts training. After a time, he has gained impressive fighting abilities, but while sparring, he pictures Wang Renze and nearly kills his partner. He is ordered to face a wall for three days as punishment, but flees from the Temple instead. Jue Yuan attempts to assassinate Wang Renze, during which he finds Bai Wuxia, who had been abducted by Wang Renze that same day. Jue Yuan fails to kill Wang Renze and is forced to flee with Bai Wuxia. Ashamed, he returns to the Temple. His Sifu forgives him and allows him to resume training. More than a year later, Li Shimin (son of Li Yuan ), who is pursued by Wang Renze, enters the Temple. The monks pretend to help Wang Renze hunt for Li Shimin, while the latter escapes. Jue Yuan and Bai Wuxia help Li Shimin, making their way past Wang Renze's patrols in disguise as a newlywed couple. The escape, however, fails. Bai Wuxia and an injured Li Shimin flee on a raft down the river, while Jue Yuan stays behind to fight off the pursuers. His Sifu, along with other monks, arrives and saves Jue Yuan, but in doing so, expose Shaolin Temple's connection with Li Shimin. The Sifu banishes Jue Yuan from the Temple. Wang Renze learns of what the monks did, and marches on the Temple with his army to destroy it. The Abbot orders the monks not to fight, even as Wang Renze's army surrounds the Temple. The Abbot pleads with Wang Renze for mercy and accepts the blame. He is placed on a pyre, which is set aflame. Wang Renze announces that, if the monks reveal the traitors' whereabouts, he will spare the Temple and the Abbot. He then has his men kill several of the other top monks. The Sifu and his pupils arrive to fight off Wang Re