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Action film

Shaolin Temple (1982): Cast & Plot

Shaolin Temple (1982) movie poster

Shaolin Temple is a 1982 action film directed by Cheung Sing-Yim, starring Jet Li as Gong Yuen (Jue Yuan), Ding Lan and Zhang Jianwen. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes.

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Shaolin Temple (1982) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m (100 min)
Director
Cheung Sing-Yim
Genre
Action
Original language
Chinese
Studio
Chung Yuen Motion Picture Co.
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Shaolin Temple About?

The premise of Shaolin Temple without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

When a Tang general betrays the emperor and crowns himself ruler of the Eastern Capital, the son of a slave under the usurper flees to the Shaolin Temple. There he rigorously trains in kung fu, perfecting the art while sharpening his resolve. Armed with skill and vengeance, he returns to confront and kill the traitor who murdered his father.

Shaolin Temple Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • martial arts action
  • 7th century
  • based on folk tale
  • baldness
  • young
  • kung fu action
  • emperor
  • shaolin
  • traitor
  • temple
  • shaolin temple
  • general
+38 more
  • kung fu
  • lead actor's first film
  • cult film
  • violence
  • disarming someone
  • teacher student relationship
  • kung fu fighting
  • beating
  • sword duel
  • sword fight
  • sword
  • hand to hand combat
  • combat
  • buddhism
  • buddha
  • buddhist
  • robe
  • martial arts master
  • martial artist
  • kung fu master
  • kung fu classic
  • mixed martial arts
  • chop socky
  • duel
  • battle
  • showdown
  • stylized violence
  • roundhouse kick
  • karate kick
  • karate chop
  • karate
  • wire fu
  • stick fight
  • bo staff
  • fistfight
  • brawl
  • fight
  • warrior
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Cast & crew

Shaolin Temple Cast & Characters

Jet Li leads the cast as Gong Yuen (Jue Yuan), with Ding Lan as Bai Wuxia (Wu Sha) and Zhang Jianwen as Abbot Fang Zhang. Directed by Cheung Sing-Yim; 26 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Shaolin Temple

· 22 more
Show all 26 cast members
From the director

More from Cheung Sing-Yim

More films directed by Cheung Sing-Yim: Fist from Shaolin, Yellow River Fighter, Yellow River Fighter and Kids from Shaolin.

Full filmography
Plot

Shaolin Temple Plot Summary

What happens in Shaolin Temple from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the closing days of the Sui dynasty, a turbulent power struggle erupts along the river near the Shaolin Temple. The warlord Wang Shichong declares himself Emperor of the East Capital and drives his defenses to the river’s edge, preparing for clashes with rival warlords on the opposite bank. His impatience with slave labor pushes him to conscript captured rebels into the work crews, and among these prisoners is the elder kung fu master and his son, Jue Yuan Jet Li. The Emperor’s grip tightens as the rebels are pressed into service, and the boy’s world is about to be upended by violence and a test of faith.

Full summary

The whole story of Shaolin Temple, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Shaolin Temple?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
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  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who portrays the young kung fu master Jue Yuan in the film?
Details

Shaolin Temple Also Known As

27 alternative titles, including “O naos ton Shaolin” and “Shaolin - Kloster der Rächer”.

Also known as
  • O naos ton Shaolin
  • Shaolin - Kloster der Rächer
  • Монастырь Шаолинь
  • Шаолиньский монастырь
  • Храм Шаолиня
  • Shao Lin si
  • Meister der Shaolin - Der Shaolin Tempel
  • Meister der Shaolin - Kloster der Rächer
  • Meister der Shaolin
  • Siu Lam zi
  • Shaolin templom
  • Shorinji
+15 more
  • O Templo de Shaolin
  • Храм Шаолинь
  • El templo de Shaolin
  • The Shaolin Temple
  • The Shao Lin Temple
  • Le Temple de Shaolin
  • Klášter Shaolin
  • מקדש השאולין
  • 소림사
  • Klasztor Shaolin
  • Thiếu Lâm Tự
  • O Templo de Shaolin: Os Herdeiros de Shaolin
  • Ο ναός των Σαολίν
  • Манастирът Шаолин
  • เสี่ยวลิ้มยี่

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FAQ

Shaolin Temple FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of Shaolin Temple, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Shaolin Temple?

Shaolin Temple runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

When was Shaolin Temple released?

Shaolin Temple was released on January 21, 1982.

Who directed Shaolin Temple?

Shaolin Temple was directed by Cheung Sing-Yim.

More films by Cheung Sing-Yim

Who is in the cast of Shaolin Temple?

Shaolin Temple stars Jet Li as Gong Yuen (Jue Yuan), Ding Lan as Bai Wuxia (Wu Sha) and Zhang Jianwen as Abbot Fang Zhang, among 26 credited actors.

Does Shaolin Temple have a post-credit scene?

No. Shaolin Temple has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Shaolin Temple in?

The original language of Shaolin Temple is Chinese.

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