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Starring
:
Fu
Sheng
David
Chiang
Ti
Lung
Kuo
Chui
Chi
Kwan Chun
Wang
Lung Wei
Yueh
Hua
Chiang
Sheng
Li
Yi Min
Billy
Tang
Lu
Feng
Meng
Fei
Jamie
Luk
Choi
Wang
Shan
Mao
Ku
Feng
Action
:
Hsieh
Hsing
Chan
San Yat
Director
:
Chang
Cheh
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SHAOLIN
TEMPLE (1976)
A.K.A.
- Death Chambers
Reviewed
by Andrew Saroch
With
Celestial's ongoing release of Shaw Brothers' vast catalogue,
eager fans have been treated to numerous classic titles and a
few pleasant surprises. Chang Cheh's 'Shaolin Temple' sits
firmly in the former category. I for one have been looking
forward to seeing a restored version of this excellent kung fu
drama as I hadn't seen it for at least a decade now. Any
dangers of my memories being rose-tinted and proven unfounded
are quickly erased after mere minutes of Chang Cheh's work
elapsing.
The
destruction of the Shaolin Temple by the Ching has been a
source of hundreds of genre films, but this is one of the
memorable epics that examined the events leading up the
assault. The film starts with Fong Sai Yuk (Fu Sheng), Hung
Hsi Kwan and Hui Hu Chien patiently waiting outside the temple
in a desperate bid to be admitted into the inner sanctum. Many
have tried to enter Shaolin and learn their legendary brand of
kung fu, but so far all outsiders have been refused entry. The
chief abbots hold an urgent meeting in which they decide to
change their policy and allow only the most ardent of the
potential students to be allowed in for training. The three
friends who have endured the weather and near-starvation
outside the temple are the first to take advantage of this new
ruling and gradually become absorbed into the Shaolin life.
However, their dreams of learning the secrets of kung fu are
seemingly ignored and they are instead given menial tasks to
pass the time. Little do they realise how these innocuous jobs
are actually shaping them for their future training.
Meanwhile, an small band of anti-Ching soldiers decide to
journey to Shaolin and seek refuge from the oppressive forces
that are hot on their trail. After arriving there, the
soldiers are welcomed into Shaolin due to their friendship
with one of the abbots and spend their time there refining
their already impressive skills. Unfortunately, as more and
more young fighters are given the chance to enter Shaolin, the
ruling Ching become deeply distrustful and decide to use their
spies to see what the new disciples are learning. It's not too
long before the Ching decide to destroy the temple and all of
the rebels within, therefore crushing any possible uprising
against the authorities. Now the vast Ching army is sent out
the carry out this heinous task and, with the help of these
duplicitous spies, they manage to breach the outer-wall of
Shaolin.
It's
not surprising that the first aspect of the production to
mention is the exceptional cast that was assembled for this
seminal drama. Stars like Fu Sheng, Ti Lung, David Chiang and
a pre-Venoms Kuo Chui, along with Li Yi Min and Meng Fei
(who'd later find greater fame in the independent field) are
grouped together and each is given a moment to shine.
Something which stands out about these actors - and most of
the others in the production -, yet which is rarely credited,
is just how well they can act. Yes, they can all act! Contrary
to the popular misconception that stars in this field are mere
brainless athletes, 'Shaolin Temple' (along with many other
Shaws' films) shows that many have more than enough charisma
to appear very comfortable even in the quieter moments. Those
deserving particular credit are Fu Sheng, a young Chiang Sheng
and the always watchable Yueh Hua; each of these make superb
use of the time that they're afforded. This is also a film
that is a further reminder of how masterful Chang Cheh's
direction could be - I wont get on my soapbox again and try to
argue why he was criminally underrated by most worldwide
critics, but needless to say that this a meticulously handled
work from the maestro.
'Shaolin
Temple' is not without its minor weakness though. One that
might be obvious to seasoned viewers is the reasonably
predictable nature of the film; in retrospect, the identities
of the villains turns out to be easy to telegraph while the
training structure is not something that's too original. As
many current Hong Kong film fans will be very familiar with
this kind of structure and the actors who nearly always play
antagonists in these kind of films, some of the enjoyment may
be hindered. However, 'Shaolin Temple' is still a major
achievement by a film-maker who was one of the true creators
of the genre. There is, therefore, plenty to put this near the
top of your viewing list.
Rating:
 
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