Shawscope Volume Two

The 36th Chamber Of Shaolin (1978)

A true milestone in martial arts movie history, this action-filled drama from director Lau Kar Leung ("Drunken Master II") stars Gordon Liu as a shallow young man out to avenge his family’s murder by Manchu assassins. Entering the Shaolin temple, Liu undergoes a grueling series of training exercises to master the fighting skills he’ll need to gain his revenge. Lo Lieh, Wilson Tong also star. 119 min. In Cantonese with English subtitles/Dubbed in English. C/Rtg: R

Invincible Shaolin (1978)

A Ching warlord (Wang Lung-Wei) with grudges against North and South Shaolin arranges a seemingly benign tournament where the North masters (Kuo Choi, Lo Meng, Wei Pa) best their South competition. The mastermind fatally ambushed the departing South team and pinned it on their rivals--spurring the South to send its best (Lu Feng, Sun Chien, Chiang Sheng) in search of vengeance, in this actioner from Chang Cheh. 98 min. In Mandarin with English subtitles/Dubbed in English. C/Rtg: R

Mad Monkey Kung Fu (1979)

Ruthless gangster Tuan frames young Chen (Liu Chia-Liang), cripples his hands, and forces his sister to become his mistress. Years later, while working as a street performer, Chen trains a pupil to defend himself against thugs. But when the bad guys kill Chen’s pet monkey and he learns they work for Tuan, the two men decide to finally take a stand and save Chen’s sister, using his Mad Monkey-styled Kung Fu. Lo Lieh, Kara Hui, and Hsiao Ho co-star in this comedic martial arts tale. 116 min. In Cantonese with English subtitles/Dubbed in English. C/Rtg: R

Five Superfighters (1976)

A cloaked martial arts master wandered the countryside, humbling those whose kung fu he deemed inferior--and proceeded to put a teacher and his trio of acolytes in their place. As the students each found new mentors, their old one sharpened his skills...will it be enough when they call out their tormentor? Hau Chiu-Sing, Leung Siu-Hung, Austin Wai, Yuen Mo star. 95 min. In Cantonese with English subtitles/Dubbed in English. C/Rtg: NR

The Kid With The Golden Arm (1979)

Entrusted with the safety of a cargo of the government’s gold, Iron Feet Yang Hu Yun (Chien Sun) recruits a skilled swordsman (Pai Wei) to help him guide the treasure through dangerous country. Think they’ll be putting their combat skills to use against an array of fearsome enemies? Just wait ’til you see the action in this martial arts thriller! Meng Lo, Helen Poon, and Feng Lu as "Silver Spear" co-star. 81 min. In Mandarin with English subtitles/Dubbed in English. C/Rtg: NR

Magnificent Ruffians (1979)

In lieu of cash, a quartet of mooching martial arts masters (Sun Chien, Chiang Sheng, Wang Li, Kuo Choi) would let themselves be beaten up by the restaurateurs they stiffed. A local warlord (Lu Feng) offers them hospitality, but his endgame is to use them as cat's-paws to take out an obstinate rival (Lo Meng), as Chang Cheh reunites his "Venoms" company. 82 min. In Mandarin with English subtitles/Dubbed in English. C/Rtg: NR

Return To The 36th Chamber (1980)

Gordon Liu impersonates the Master Killer in an attempt to help the workers of a fabric dying factory. When his ruse is discovered, he seeks to train under the real Master Killer in order to complete his mission. The unusual training methods include building a scaffold around the Shaolin Temple. 99 min. In Cantonese with English subtitles/Dubbed in English. C/Rtg: NR

Ten Tigers of Kwangtung (1980)

When it comes to politics during the Shaolin Dynasty, "bipartisanship" lasts as long as it takes for the first scissor kick to do its damage! This Shaw Brothers thriller follows 10 skilled warriors recruited to protect a single rebel from the ruling government. Have they made the right decision? Lung Ti, Sheng Fu, and Philip Kwok star. 91 min. In Mandarin with English subtitles/Dubbed in English. C/Rtg: NR

My Young Auntie (1981)

A young widow travels to meet her nephew to discuss the will of her deceased--and much older--husband. When the woman’s nephew is shocked to discover he is twice as old as his aunt, the family conflict quickly escalates until the dead man’s inheritance becomes a prize to be won after the victory of the finest martial artist in the clan! Classic Shaw Brothers opus stars Chia-Liang Lu, Kara Hui. 114 min. In Cantonese with English subtitles/Dubbed in English. C/Rtg: NR

Mercenaries From Hong Kong (1982)

Vietnam vet Luo Li (Ti Lung) came to Hong Kong to kill his niece's rapist...but since his victim was mob-connected, he still needed to get out in one piece. Escape would be offered by the wealthy He Ying (Yu On-On)--and all he had to do was lead a strike force into Cambodia and bring back her father's assassin (Phillip Ko). Wong Jin's breathless actioner co-stars Wai-Man Chan, Lieh Lo. 90 min. In Cantonese with English subtitles/Dubbed in English. C/Rtg: NR

The Boxer's Omen (1983)

After his brother is nearly killed by a ferocious opponent during a fight, a boxer becomes determined to get revenge. When he uncovers the key to ridding himself of a family curse, he is thrust into a strange world in which he must do battle with evil wizards, Taoist monks, a sexy female zombie, and other bizarre foes. Phillip Ko, Lin Xiaoyen, Wang Lung Wei star. 99 min. In Mandarin with English subtitles. C/Rtg: NR

Disciples Of The 36th Chamber (1985)

The Shaw Brothers unleash another chapter in the "36th Chamber" series with this high-kicking action romp about an impetuous martial arts student chased into hiding after exhibiting unwise chutzpah in the presence of royalty. Shamed by defeats and eager to reclaim his freedom, he quickly trusts a benefactor bearing a gift bestowing him with new powers. Hou Hsiao, Gordon Liu, and Lily Li star. 96 min. In Mandarin with English subtitles/Dubbed in English. C/Rtg: NR

Martial Arts Of Shaolin (1986)

The third installment of the "Shaolin Temple" trilogy stars Jet Li as a northern Shaolin monk plotting to murder the evil ruler who killed his parents. He makes an attempt at a lavish party in the Forbidden City, but is accidentally foiled by a pair of southern Shaolin monks with the same goal. They decide to band together to fight, only for Li to learn he shares a special bond with one of his cohorts. 99 min. In Mandarin with English subtitles/Dubbed in English. C/Rtg: NR

The Bare-Footed Kid (1993)

Fighting-skilled but impoverished Kuan (Aaron Kwok) came to the city to find work in the dye shop managed by his uncle (Ti Lung) and owned by a kind widow (Maggie Cheung). When his prowess gains the notice of his boss's cutthroat competitor (Kenneth Tsang), he'll be faced with tough choices about where his loyalties lie. Wu Chien-Lien, Eddie Cheung, Paul Chun co-star; Johnnie To directs. 90 min. In Cantonese with English subtitles/Dubbed in English. C/Rtg: R

Widescreen; Soundtracks: Mandarin mono, Cantonese mono, English mono; Subtitles: English; audio commentary; featurettes; image gallery; theatrical trailers; soundtrack CDs; more.