Overview
A martial artist rises from the ashes of war to seek vengeance and mastery.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- kinetic
- exhilarating
- earnest
- martial arts movie night
- action film marathon
What critics said
Critics widely regard the film as an exhilarating, influential landmark of classical kung fu cinema, especially praising its martial arts training and choreography.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Liu Yu-de progresses through Shaolin training chambers while learning discipline and humility alongside combat technique.
The film prominently stages swords, staffs, lances, fists, feet, and palms through extended combat and training sequences.
Liu escapes a Manchu attack, joins the Shaolin order, and returns to confront the oppressive governing forces.
The Shaolin chambers structure Liu's education as escalating tests of balance, strength, timing, and weapon mastery.
Films like The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, and why
Enter the Dragon
classical martial arts choreography, disciplined training, and anti-authoritarian heroism
Shaolin Temple
shaolin mythology, elaborate weapon combat, and stylized period action
The Five Deadly Venoms
martial arts apprenticeship, revenge-driven heroism, and choreographic spectacle
Once Upon a Time in China
historical kung fu action centered on resistance to oppressive rulers
Movie Details
- Director
- Lau Kar-leung
- Release Date
- 1978-02-02
- Runtime
- 116 min
- Rating
- 7.5 / 10 (523)
Cast
- Gordon Liu
- Lo Lieh
- John Cheung Ng-Long
- Wilson Tong Wai-Shing
- Wa Lun
- Hon Kwok-Choi
- Lau Kar-Wing
- Wai Wang
- Chen Szu-Chia
- Wong Ching-Ho
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Hi-YAH, Eternal Family, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Hi-YAH Amazon Channel, ARROW
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The 36th Chamber of Shaolin about?
- A persecuted young patriot transforms through Shaolin discipline into a formidable kung fu warrior determined to challenge Manchu oppression.
- What is The 36th Chamber of Shaolin like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The 36th Chamber of Shaolin as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The 36th Chamber of Shaolin violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The 36th Chamber of Shaolin as graphic.
- What did critics think of The 36th Chamber of Shaolin?
- Critics widely regard the film as an exhilarating, influential landmark of classical kung fu cinema, especially praising its martial arts training and choreography.
- Which films are like The 36th Chamber of Shaolin?
- Films with a similar feel include Enter the Dragon, Shaolin Temple, The Five Deadly Venoms, and Once Upon a Time in China.
- How long is The 36th Chamber of Shaolin?
- The 36th Chamber of Shaolin runs 116 minutes.
- Where can I watch The 36th Chamber of Shaolin?
- In United States, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin streams on Amazon Prime Video, Hi-YAH, Eternal Family, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Hi-YAH Amazon Channel, ARROW.
