36th Chamber of Shaolin

(aka "Master Killer" or "Shaolin Master Killer" or "Shao Lin san shih liu fang")

by Liu Chia-liang
Hongkong 1978

Released in Hong Kong on February 2, 1978, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (Commonly known as Master Killer) is the work of legendary martial arts director Lau Kar Leung. With a breakout role from Lau Chia Hui (Gordon Liu) and a villainous performance by the great Lo Lieh, the film is one of the most beloved in the history of Hong Kong action cinema.

When a young student’s family is killed and his schoolmates slaughtered by the Manchus, he seeks revenge by learning kung fu at the Shaolin Temple. Sneaking inside the temple by way of a supply cart, he joins the monks and is given the name San Te. As he progresses through the thirty-five chambers Shaolin created to teach martial arts, the student gains enlightenment in the ways of the temple and his own heart. At the end of his studies, the new monk proposes they create a 36th chamber to train the people in the ways of Shaolin and give them a way to fight their oppressors.

Though it shows the influence of earlier movies, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin is essentially a re-working of ideas found in some of the films of ChangCheh, particularly Shaolin Temple (1976). Heroes Two (1974), marked the beginning of Shaw Brothers director Chang Cheh’s Shaolin Cycle. These were a series of movies detailing the history of the temple that were suggested by Chang’s long time martial arts director Lau Kar Leung. Lau became the source for most of the stories and themes of Chang’s work until their parting on the set of Marco Polo (1975). After he left Chang, Lau was offered a chance to direct his own films by Run Run Shaw, the head of Shaw Brothers studio. He produced the little seen Spiritual Boxer (1975), which introducted the kung fu horror comedy years before Sammo Hung’s Encounters of the Spooky Kind (1978). This was the first in a long line of seminal kung fu films Lau directed for the studio.

Throughout his career, Lau’s work has had one overlying theme: The exploration of the history, discipline, and spirituality of the martial arts. In none of his films is this more pronounced than The 36th Chamber of Shaolin. Stories of youths using kung fu to seek revenge were of course cliched even when the film was made. It's Lau’s focus on the improvement of the human spirit, instead of just action, that turns the cliché on its ear. In this director’s hands, a simple tale of revenge, becomes a story about the rebirth and refinement of the human condition. The movie touches on aspects of alienation, rebellion, and redemption with a style and humanity unlike any other film in the genre.

The beauty of The 36th Chamber of Shaolin is that it can be viewed on many levels. Besides being a tale of self-discovery, it is essentially the ultimate kung fu training film. Where most movie in this genre have at least one practice scene, nearly the entire length of The 36th Chamber of Shaolin is one long training sequence. From the demonstrations in the credit sequence, to the final shots of the monks in the temple, the structure is set from the first second to the last frame. One of the main purposes such scenes serve is to depict the character exceeding their limits, to cause the audience to care more about the character. This is so well done in the film; the viewer becomes a vicarious participant in the exercises San Te performs in the movie.

Legends credit San De (note the spelling) with bringing kung fu from the temples and teaching it to the masses. Much of his tale is recounted in the novel "Monk San De's Three Visits to the Xichan Monastery." In this account, San De was already a martial artist when he visited the temple and was known for his great strength with the Iron Rings, hence his nickname “Iron Arms.” This is given homage by the first scene of the film during the title sequence, where Gordon Liu trains with the rings. A few years after the story depicted in the movie, San De was killed after he set up his own temple to train the general public. In his final battle, he was reported to have beaten over fifty men protecting his fleeing students.

Though martial arts existed well before it, the Shaolin Temple became synonymous with Chinese kung fu. Much like the temple, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin virtually defines the kung fu film for many around the world.

Linn Haynes

Posters

Theatrical Release Date: 1978

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DVD Comparison:

Weinstein Company (Special Collector's Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Crash Cinema (USA)- Region 0 - NTSC vs. Celestial Pictures (Hongkong) - Region 3 - NTSC

Big thanks to Ole of DVD-Basen for all Screen Caps!

(Weinstein Company - Region 1 - NTSC LEFT vs. Crash Cinema - Region 0 - NTSC - MIDDLE vs. Celestial Pictures - Region 3 - NTSC - RIGHT)

DVD Box Covers			Thinking of buying from YesAsia? CLICK HERE and use THIS UPDATED BEAVER PAGE to source their very best...
Distribution	Weinstein Company Region 1 - NTSC	Crash Cinema Region All - NTSC	Celestial Pictures Region 3 - NTSC
Runtime	1:55:52	1:54:48	1:50:48
Video	2.35:1 WideScreen 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 5.24 mb/s NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s	2.10:1 WideScreen Average Bitrate: 3.60 mb/s NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s	2.35:1 WideScreen 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 7.56 mb/s NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate: Weinstein
Bitrate: Crash Cinema
Bitrate: Celestial
Audio	Cantonese Dolby Digital 2.0, Mandarin Dolby Digital 2.0 , DUB: English	English dub (Dolby Digital 2.0 mono)	Cantonese Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Mandarin Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
Subtitles	English, Spanish, English (Hoh) and none	None	English, Chinese, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia and none
Features	Release Information: Studio: Celestial Pictures . Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1 (Shawscope) Edition Details: • Feature commentary with RZA of Wu-Tang Clan and film critic Andy Klein • Interview with Gordon Lui • Shaolin - A Hero Birthplace (15:58) • Interview with RZA, Andy Klein and David Chute • Stills Gallery • Trailer Gallery • Commentator Bios • Concert Video for Wu-Tang Clan's Gravel Pit Plus a $3 coupon of any other Dragon Dynasty release DVD Release Date: June 19th, 2007 Keepcase Chapters: 28	Release Information: Studio: Crash Cinema Aspect Ratio: Widescreen non-anamorphic - 2.10:1 Edition Details: • Interview and demonstation with Sifu Shi Yan-Ming (10:10). DVD Release Date: August 1999 Keep Case Chapters: 12 Single Layer (DVD-5)	Release Information: Studio: Celestial Pictures Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1 (Shawscope) Edition Details: • Shaolin - A Hero Birthplace (15:58) • Theatrical Trailer (3:42) • New Trailer (1:03) • Trailers of "The Grand Substitution, Behind the Yellow Line, The Venus' Tear Diamond and Passing Fickers • Biography & Selected Filmography of Gordon Liu Chia-hui, Lo Lieh, Yu Yang, Wang Yu and Liu Chia-liang • Production Notes (1 page) • 18 Behind the scenes photos • 25 Movie Stills • Poster DVD Release Date: May 2003 Keepcase in hardcover Chapters: 12

Comments:

ADDITION: Weinstein - Region 1 - June 07': First lets officially dismiss the (Out of print) Crash Cinema release forever.

The new Weinstein Special Collector's Edition is wonderful, eclipsing the Celestial release in all areas but audio where the North American release appears to have chosen the original 2.0 track where the Region 3 have given typical phony 5.1 bumps - that do sound somewhat more buoyant.

The new Region 1 image is slightly brighter and sharper (possibly digitally boosted). It compromises nothing in the framing and the translation, while never perfect, appears accurate in the subtitles. The Weinstein edition looks fabulous - anamorphic, progressive but does have a slim black border circumventing the frame - losing some slight horizontal resolution. It is essentially the same as the Celestial but a shade brighter, better detail and more vibrant colors.

The Weinstein DVD is stacked with supplemental material. In an unusual choice - RZA is a major participant - (born Robert Diggs, July 5, 1969 in Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York, USA) he is an American hip hop producer, rapper and actor. He is the de facto leader of the hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan. He does a good commentary with film critic Andy Klein - they discuss many factors about film and martial arts. RZA seems quite educated on many of the issues - Hong Kong cinema and Shaw Brothers films in general. There is also a 17 minute interview with Gordon Lui (Chia Hui Liu) who plays General Chin in the film. It is in Cantonese with optional English subtitles. He discusses theatrical martial arts. There is another interview - this time with RZA, Andy Klein and David Chute. Only 8 minutes but very interesting and they impart some good information. There is also a bit of filler i.e. Stills Gallery, Trailer Gallery, Commentator Bios and a concert video for Wu-Tang Clan's Gravel Pit.

Bottom line: this is an excellent example of Shaw Bros. cinema at its very best. At $14 this is one of the most recommend deals of the year in my opinion. Thanks to the Weinstein Co. for not gouging us on these Dragon Dynasty releases. For fans of the genre it is an easy decision, but for those that have not seen it - beware! - it can make you addicted to this playful, adventurous brand of unique and frequently duplicated cinema.

Gary W. Tooze

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Memoirs from the Beijing Film Academy by Zhen Ni, Chris Berry, Ni Zhen	Chinese Films in Focus: 25 New Takes by Chris Berry	China into Film: Frames of Reference in Contemporary Chinese Cinema (Envisioning Asia) by Jerome Silbergeld	New Chinese Cinemas by Nick Browne	Once Upon a Time in China : A Guide to Hong Kong, Taiwanese, and Mainland Chinese Cinema by Jeff Yang	Chinese Film Theory by George S. Semsel	Women Through the Lens: Gender and Nation in a Century of Chinese Cinema by Shuqin Cui

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Weinstein Company - Region 1 - NTSC

(Crash Cinema - Region 0 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Celestial Pictures - Region 3 - NTSC - RIGHT)

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