Sadae solimsa

This movie is one of my favorites in foreign martial arts films. Everything was good from beginning to end. The dreaded General Yuen Fong, killing all the rebels who had the hardest of all times trying the other half of a book. It wasn't blood curdling when branded one the rebels who wouldn't give out the rebel leaders location. Chan, Wi Yin, the tall monk, and Lam Min were the strong fighters in the movie. Mei Lin, the chess piece in Fong's Demented game was also the factor to the monks in the battle against The Tiger Camp. She really packed a punch against Chan's favorite brother monks. Master Han, the leader picked up a good fight against Yuen. And Chan gave it his all against Yuen, and won. This movie dealt with a lot of sacrifice, and though a price was paid, best way to handle it is to keep fighting. A 10!

I thought Sadae Solimsa would be another one of those kung fu films where there just isn't enough Hwang but I was more than pleasantly surprised. The man is seen quite a lot and looks as splendid as ever.

For me, I loved the scenery. This story is supposed to take place in a Shaolin Temple in the Hunan Province of China but the film was definitely filmed in Korea! It's too lush and green and beautiful to be anywhere else. The architecture of the temple is also very Korean. I loved it!

Fortunately, I acquired a DVD with a decent picture quality and the dubbing wasn't too dire. This also helped me enjoy the film's merits.

The fighting sequences are of a high quality and, as usual, Hwang really gives his best at the finale.

The only rather bizarre and surreal thing about the film was the 'chess' sequence in which Hwang and some other baddie are using women as chess pieces. I'm still not sure what that was all about. I can't help thinking it was all rather slightly kinky so I will definitely have to watch the film again to see what points I missed(ohh, what a chore!).

Version: Hong Kong Connection DVD. Dub only.

Pretty typical kung-fu movie title? Check. A dubbed only version, on a cheaply manufactured DVD? Check. Bought for $10 from a rack containing other titles such as "Strike of Thunderkick Tiger" or "Invincible Obsessed Fighter"? Check.

All signs pointed a b-grade chopsocky movie. I was wrong.

The movie follows the story of a Shaolin temple protecting some revolutionaries from the evil Manchu dynasty. Not much, but better than most of the movies I found this with (see above). The fights are pretty awesome, and surprisingly enough, as another poster mentioned, there was some great scenery.

Overall, this is a pretty good kung-fu movie: 8/10

Super kicker Hwang Jang Lee is the main reason to check out this otherwise mediocre mid-'80s kung fu flick (that feels more like a product of the '70s). Lee plays General Yuen, the evil leader of Tiger Camp, who swears to destroy the remaining rebels who oppose the tyrannous Ching dynasty. In order to do so, he needs to find the other half of a book that names all of the dissidents.

Ten years pass, and General Yuen still hasn't found the missing pages; his superiors aren't happy bunnies. Yuen redoubles his efforts, his search eventually leading him to a Shaolin temple where the kindly monks are sheltering a pair of fugitives, and whose leader just happens to have the other half of the much sought after book hidden under his skin!

Hwang Jang Lee's superb leg techniques are definitely the star of the show, the performer kicking his way through countless monks in his quest to find the book. The fight scenes that don't feature Lee are okay, but nothing special. Apart from Lee's flashy footwork, the only other noteworthy things about the film are a bizarre chess game using real women as the pieces, the removal of the book from under the skin of the Buddhist master's back, and the blatant use of Bernard Herrmann's Psycho music.

The General of the local government is sent out to find the second half of a sacred book that lists the names of revolutionaries in the territory. His search leads him eventually to a Shaolin Temple where the Monks eventually fight the government to protect 2 revolutionaries seeking the temple as a hideout.

It's a story thats been told before. But it is still worth watching. Lots of action. Some cool elements that I wont ruin for you. (Like WHERE the secret book is hidden.) As well as side stories as to the main Monk's relation to some of his pupils. Friendship between certain Monks, as well as between the 2 hiding revolutionaries.

I saw this back in 7th grade and loved it. But to the casual viewer it may be nothing special.