Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- witty
- irreverent
- propulsive
- kung fu movie night
- cult cinema marathon
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Chou Chun Chi initially pretends to be a Shaolin priest and kung fu expert, then seeks authentic training after the deception harms the workers.
The dye factory and temple construction work transform repetitive physical labor into demonstrations of kung fu discipline and technique.
The factory workers organize against wage cuts and imported thugs, while Chou's journey becomes an effort to restore their dignity.
The film pairs Chou's comic persona and impersonation scheme with elaborate Shaolin training and combat sequences.
Films like Return to the 36th Chamber, and why
The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter
shared shaw brothers martial arts tradition, comic underdog protagonist, and elaborate kung fu choreography
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin
shared lau kar-leung direction, shaolin training narrative, period setting, and action comedy
Drunken Master
shared comic martial arts spectacle, working-class heroism, and hong kong action choreography
Movie Details
- Director
- Lau Kar-leung
- Release Date
- 1980-08-24
- Runtime
- 101 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (251)
Cast
- Gordon Liu
- Kara Wai Ying-Hung
- Hsiao Ho
- Wong Ching-Ho
- Wa Lun
- King Lee King-Chu
- Yau Chui-Ling
- Chen Szu-Chia
- Sek Gong
- Kwon Yeong-Moon
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Hi-YAH, ARROW
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Return to the 36th Chamber about?
- A humbled stage performer pursues authentic Shaolin training to defend exploited dye-factory workers in a spirited showcase of comic kung fu.
- What is Return to the 36th Chamber like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Return to the 36th Chamber as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Return to the 36th Chamber violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Return to the 36th Chamber as moderate.
- Which films are like Return to the 36th Chamber?
- Films with a similar feel include The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, and Drunken Master.
- How long is Return to the 36th Chamber?
- Return to the 36th Chamber runs 101 minutes.
- Where can I watch Return to the 36th Chamber?
- In United States, Return to the 36th Chamber streams on Hi-YAH, ARROW.
