Today’s quick review: The 36th Chamber of Shaolin. Inspired by his teacher, San Te (Gordon Liu) joins the rebellion against the Manchu government. But when General Tien Ta (Lo Lieh) kills his family in retaliation, San Te flees to the Shaolin temple to learn the secret art of kung fu. After years of training in the temple’s 35 chambers, San Te sets out to find Tien Ta and avenge his family’s death.
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin is a martial arts action movie about a young man who takes up kung fu to avenge his parents and free his town from the reign of a tyrannical general. The 36th Chamber of Shaolin features a better story than many martial arts films, with steady pacing and a clear sense of progress. Impressive stunts and a fascinating training sequence round out a film with a lot to offer fans of the genre.
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin spends the bulk of its time on San Te’s training. Arriving at the temple as a brash young man who thinks he can take on the world, San Te rises through the ranks through his talent, determination, and willingness to go the extra mile for his craft. The trials he faces are physically grueling and varied enough to keep the audience engaged, and the lessons he learns are hard-won and satisfying.
The result is a martial arts film with a simple premise and unusually clean execution. The 36th Chamber of Shaolin is not as complicated or as full of intrigue as some of the other films in the genre, but its detailed training regimen, acts of physical prowess, and meaningful character growth make it a strong pick for anyone who enjoys its style of action.
For a loose sequel with a more comedic bent, try Return to the 36th Chamber. For another martial arts movie about an impetuous young man who picks up martial arts, try Drunken Master, Kickboxer, or The Karate Kid.
[7.7 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078243/). I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for solid fundamentals and a satisfying progression.