Shao Lin yu Wu Dang

This 1983 actioner marks kung fu superstar Gordon Liu's directorial debut. Unfortunately, it also commemorates the moment at which the Shaolin trend in Hong Kong cinema became a schtick. Several of the training sequences from "The Thirty-Sixth Chamber of Shaolin" are re-enacted (Li Hai-sheng even returns as the contentious monk who, with his butterfly swords, challenges Gordon Liu's character), but they're divorced from the emotional impact they had in the earlier film. "Thirty-Sixth Chamber" was a martial arts movie, yes, but also a story about the triumph of the human spirit; "Shaolin and Wu Tang" is just a series of fight scenes woven together by a thin plot. Great fight scenes, certainly, but only that.

Gordon Liu plays the senior pupil of a Shaolin-style master. His best friend, the senior pupil of a master of the Wu Tang sword, is portrayed by Adam Cheng. A treacherous Manchu lord (Wang Lung-wei) pits the young friends against one another: Liu's resolve takes him to Shaolin Temple, where he becomes a monk, trains in the Buddhist fighting arts (first-hand this time) and vows to wipe out the Wu Tang school; Cheng, meanwhile, is detained at a Taoist monastery and learns the finer points of his sword style from the priests there. Will the two friends realize that they have been manipulated by the Manchu lord before they injure or even kill each other?

Characterization is sketchy, the drama almost entirely unconvincing. People die, but no one ever seems particularly distraught about it. Because the tragic events in the film are handled so awkwardly, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was watching mediocre community theatre. Granted, this isn't going to bother most viewers...but, on the basis of its reputation, I expected something more from "Shaolin and Wu Tang." Six stars for the fight scenes, dazzlingly choreographed by Liu Chia-liang.

First, watch original English Dub. It just... has this charm that will grow on you. Both characters, the villain, and both sisters are just awesome. Johnny Wang as the villain is hilarious. He has NO tact! Idy Chan is also excellent in her role as Gordon Liu's sister. She steals every scene she's in! Li Ching is also great. You're honestly never sure if she's in it for herself, the villain, or some other purpose. And Gordon Liu & Adam Cheng are phenomenal as always. One of my favorite roles of Adam Cheng & Gordon Liu during this time period. The action & fight choreography is top-notch and still stands the test of time. Ever since I first saw it as a child in NY on Fox 5 after Saturday Morning Cartoons, I've been a fan of the film and the genre!

An excellent martial arts movie. My favorite part is the beginning sequence where the lone wu-tang warrior fights against a squad of monks. The beginning fight scene is worth every penny it costs you to buy the movie.

Using the classic martial arts storyline of the villain who wants to learn the secret style of fighting, SHAOLIN v WU TANG is dope! In this one, we get two friends, one from Shaolin school and the other from Wu tang. After a foul up that results in the murder of the Wu tang master, the two friends soon become enemies, then on a mission to seek acceptance to become monks and challenge one another.

The only disappointing thing about this flick is that it's fight scenes don't compare with the beginning of the film, And that's just a training sequence!!!! Still this is one of the masterpieces of Kung Fu film. Keep an ear out for some of the dialogue that was sampled on Wu Tang Clan's CD "36 Chambers".

I'm a fan of both Wu Tang and HK martial arts films.

This movie is good as a kung fu flick, great if you are a Wu Tang fan, just to hear the samples in context.

But as a standalone its quite uneven.

The costumes are pretty decent. Many other films of this era are less picky about such details. I don't know if any are historically accurate, but they at least fit the actors, and have some details.

Sets are not too bad either.

The lighting and cinematography are mediocre. So you have a strange circumstance where you are looking at pretty well dressed actors in a believable set, but the camera is barely in focus lighting seems to mostly be single point or available light. And its 4:3 aspect ratio further takes it down a notch in presentation.

The acting is nothing to write home about. But its really the story that stinks. Its just kind of meanders and there isn't a real compelling story arc or character development.

However the fight choreo is pretty decent.

Thought it might even be Yuen Wo Ping.

Its really one of those films where you are twiddling your thumbs while people are talking then a fight breaks out and it has your attention again.

I'm being a little hard on it because its an 80's film. But it comes off like a 60's or 70's film. It should have better production value. Look at Jimmy Wang Yu's Master of the Flying Guilllotine. It's from 1976 but had better lighting and cinematography. The story is a trite, but it at least has a B plot. And some great characters!

Despite all my quibbles Gordon Liu is great.