Shaolin and Wu Tang (1983) User Reviews

A Shaw film in all but name

[Leofwine_draca · 6/10 · 16 June 2017]

SHAOLIN VS. WU TANG is a stand-alone effort for Shaw Brothers star Gordon Liu, here directing as well as starring. The film is clearly indebted to Shaw and sometimes feels like a Shaw movie in all but name. It's about some super fighting schools and the rivalry between Liu and the slightly arrogant Adam Cheng, which is brought to the fore by the scheming machinations of super-villain Wang Lung Wei (another Shaw staple).

Although the film suffers from the usual quality issues evident in the print, it's still a lot of fun and packed with wall-to-wall action. Liu partakes in many of the strenuous bare-chested training sequences that he's well known for, while Wang Lung Wei sits on his throne and broods for the most part, although he does get up to fight our heroes in the exciting climax. Plenty of other Shaw regulars like Ching Li, Chan Shen, and Lee Hoi Sang show up in supporting roles, and if this isn't quite top-tier material, at least it provides decent entertainment from beginning to end.

Not quite the classic it's purported to be

[InjunNose · 6/10 · 1 April 2023]

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.

Grindhouse 101

[dee.reid · 7/10 · 6 January 2023]

The 1983 Lau Kar-leung-produced martial arts epic "Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang" is famous in two key respects.

At the time of its release in 1983, the film marked the directorial debut of its star, Gordon Liu (credited here by his birth-name Chia-Hui Lui), who was by then already a firmly established kung-fu movie veteran who had appeared in over a dozen martial arts films since the 1970s.

While the film quickly became a kung-fu movie and grindhouse favorite, it also remained in relative obscurity (at least when compared to other Shaw Brothers Studio-produced martial arts films from the time). However, "Shaolin and Wu-Tang" gained renewed popular interest 10 years after its release because it was cited as a major source of inspiration for hip-hop music producer The RZA (born Robert Diggs), the co-founder and de-facto leader of rap super-group the Wu-Tang Clan, who derived their name from the film's title and released their ground-breaking debut album "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" in November of 1993. Dialogue samples from the English dub of "Shaolin and Wu-Tang" were featured prominently in the album's songs.

I have to admit that when I first saw "Shaolin and Wu-Tang" when I was in college, I'd checked out the film - a poor-quality bargain-bin full-screen DVD copy of the film, no less, which I still have - mainly because I'm a huge fan of the Wu-Tang Clan and martial arts movies, and I had wanted to see the classic that inspired it all. Until today, I had only seen the film once, which was that first time all the way back when I was in college. With hindsight and acquired knowledge over the years on my side, it is a much better film than I remember it.

The film has a plot that's really nothing new to the genre itself, but plays into some of the recurring lyrical themes of the Wu-Tang Clan's music. Yung-Kit (Liu) and Fung-Wu (Adam Cheng) are close friends who are also the top students at rival martial arts schools in the same city - Yung-Kit represents Shaolin Gong-fu and Fung-Wu trains in its off-shoot Wu-Tang Sword Style. The treacherous local Ching Lord (Johnny Wang) who oversees the city, is jealous of both schools and wants to learn both styles so that he can wipe them both out and rule the province unchallenged. His conspiracy sets in motion a series of events that eventually lead to the murder of Fung-Wu's master - turning him into a fugitive - and ultimately pitting him against his friend Yung-Kit, whom he blames for his master's death.

The film's plot is not terribly complex, but the behind-the-scenes machinations that turns close friends against each other is the source of "Shaolin and Wu-Tang's" character drama. And of course, there are also the fighting scenes, which are excellently staged and executed. The film opens with a much-touted, classic gong-fu training sequence, and there are also several more training scenes throughout the rest of the picture that have been compared to "The 36th Chamber of Shaolin" (1978) - which also starred Gordon Liu - and some have said that the training scenes here surpass those in the former production. I have to disagree with that assessment. The training scenes in "The 36th Chamber of Shaolin" make up that film's entire second act, and we're along for the journey of Gordon Liu's character as he makes his transformation from fugitive to gong-fu master. It's one of the rare times that you can truly identify with a character in a martial arts film. Unfortunately, I don't feel you really get that same emotional connection in "Shaolin and Wu-Tang" that you would have gotten from "The 36th Chamber of Shaolin," since this film's training scenes occur much later in the story and are only featured in brief montages.

"Shaolin and Wu-Tang" ends the way it's supposed to, with an epic gong-fu battle between former friends and their respective fighting styles, and then finally against the evil Ching Lord who originally turned them against each other.

It was nice to go back and once again see the film that inspired the legendary rap group who famously said to "Bring Da Ruckus."

7/10.

Fantastic kung fu movie

[John Book · 16 June 2000]

It's safe to say that almost any movie Gordon Liu has ever appeared in is a classic. You can probably watch the intro of this movie (about four minutes) over and over and over and never get bored, it's that good. The movie itself is about two people from two different groups (the Shaolin and the Wu-Tang) and how they must unite to fight for one common cause. The fighting sequences are great, the storyline is easy to follow, and... well, just go out and see it.

Solid Kung Fu movie

[Drealmer · 6/10 · 6 October 2018]

I liked the classic plot of this one and didn't find it too convoluted or forced. There's not much elaborate choreographed kung-fu through most of the movie (you get little snippets and teases throughout), but the end fight sequence is elaborate (they saved all their choreography for here) and quite good and exciting to see the two styles get combined to overcome the main baddie. You can really feel the chemistry between the two opposing stars, friends with conflict, and when they fight, it's a lot of fun.

I'd love to see a better print of this, as I watched an old VHS copy with lots of scanlines and cropping that I'm sure take away from it all.

Grab it and see it if you have the chance and like kung fu movies.

5.7 stars!

a great kung-fu movie

[johnruss · 10/10 · 21 August 1999]

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.

If not for the Hip Hop group, you wouldn't know about this film.

[Calaverasgrande · 7/10 · 27 January 2024]

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.

One great movie not to be missed!

[montessny · 9/10 · 14 September 2000]

I brought this movie because it starred Gordon Lui.He is one of the best Old School fighters no second thoughts.I loved this movie from the moment it started to the end.I wish the movie never ended.Like many of Gordon's movies (Master Killers)for one which was a big hit when it came out.. Shaolin Vrs Wu Tang I think is the kept secret behind Master Killers.It does not ask Master Killers for help in kung fu movie ranking.I loved the great show down on the two schools Wu Tang and Shaolin showing their respective fierce fighting styles and traditions.Many great foot,leg,swords,training scenes from the both clans comparing their styles to each other.Without spoiling it here now the movie has a great plot that keeps you thinking and your eyes wide open.Gordon Lui & Adam Cheng are best friends only thing is that both of them come from rival clans the Shaolin and Wu Tang.The evil prince played by (Wong Lung Wie) tries to get the two friends to fight each other til death in a true battle both schools stand aside at the end to watch a battle that means more than friends!.Is friendship thicker than honor?Find out and watch!!!!

A Movie after Shaw Brothers' Own Heart

[dafrosts · 8/10 · 17 February 2018]

The opening sequence of a Shaolin Monk who's been kicked out of the monastery batting several monks is a great scene. It is worth rewinding to watch several times. It leads into the story of Besties, Chun Kit (Gordon Liu Chia-Hui), A Shaolin Practitioner and Fung Wu (Adam Cheng Siu-Chow),a Wu Tag Practitioner, who try to remain friends despite the animosity between their "schools" The Wu Tang were created by the exiled monk and there's been a rivalry sine that day. (Think Romulans vs Vulcans).

I am unsure if Johnny Wang Lung Wei's character standing actually is, as it's not made clear in the movie. Some reviews say he's a prince. What is clear, is he is determine to learn every Wushu style known in China and will obtain te knowledge by hook or crook. His present focus is on Shaolin and Wu Tang styles. His plot to obtain the knowledge includes using his own sister, Yue Lam (Ching Li). He wants the books for both styles of Kung Fu.

The lousy lighting in version I watched made some scenes makes it difficult to see. Lung-Wei sets up Fung Wu to kill his own Master, after making it appear the Master was poisoned by the Shaolin. The Master was killed because he refused to hand over the Wu Tang sword book. Fung Wu refuses to do likewise so Lung-Wei has him thrown into a psychiatric unit for disturbed women, where he is befriended by Yue Lam, who was placed there by Lung-Wei. Chun Kit learns of Fung Wu's incarceration and attempts to help his friend. He brings food to the inmates so he can teach Fung Wu Shaolin techniques, using Yue Lam as the go-between.

Chun Kit finds a way to spring Fung Wu from prison and they bring along Yue Lam. They venture to Chun's home, where his sister, Yan Ling (Ida Chan Yuk-Lin) awaits them. The Qin army appears seeking Yue Lam and Fung Wu for escaping the prison. It was nice to see the women fighting against the army, rather than sitting on the side lines whining as I have seen many women do in these types of movies.

Yue Lam is captured by the Qin and taken to Lung-Wei who is pleased to see she has learned the Wu Tang sword style and the Shaolin hand style. He is eager to learn them from her. They venture back to their home to begin the training.

Fung Wu and Yan Ling encounter Wu Tang as they are making their escape from the Qin. The WU Tang are looking for Fung Wu to make him pay for killing his master. Fung Wu agrees to go with them so long as they leave Yan Ling, a Shaolin Practitioner alone. Yan Ling sees Qin troops surrounding them and steps between Fung Wu and Qin arrows to protect him. Fung Wu is dragged way by the Wu Tang as Yan Ling lays dying.

Chun Kit finds Yan and demands to know what happened. Her last words are Wu Tang, so naturally Chun Kit thinks thinks Wu Tang has killed her. He goes off to a Shaolin Monastery to learn proper skills to defeat the Wu Tang. Fung Wu, who was tossed into a prison by the Wu Tang to repent, becomes a Wu Tang priest to exact revenge on the Shaolin for allegedly poisoning his master.

Lung-Wei organizes a competition between the two groups. He wants to learn which is the best and then study that style completely. Chun Kit and Fung Wu have been chosen to represent their groups. The friends at first refuse to fight. When Lung-Wei make it clear no one leaves someone wins, the friends challenge each other, while obviously holding back their full strength.

Lung-Wei gets irritated and demands each use their skills properly. Both sides are stunned to hear Lung-Wei knows of their teachings. Lung-Wei demands the competition be a battle to the death. When Chun Kit and Fung Wu refuse, Lung-Wei's men appear arms to the hilt. Lung-Wei orders the men to fight or be killed. Yue Lam appears and tries to force the friends to fight by having them fight her. This only infuriates Lung-Wei, who decides to fight the friends on his own.

Lung-Wei finds himself being defeated when the friends use each others styles against him. Yue Lam begs her brother to stop fighting as the combination of Shaolin and Wu Tang styles appears undefeatable. Lung-Wei only stops fighting after being severely injured by the combine styles. The movies ends with Chun Kit and Fung Wu proving the styles are nearly the same and therefore equal.

I gave this an 8 as it had all the ear markings of a Shaw Brothers film, which I adore, good and bad. Gordon Liu's Wushu skills are always a pleasure to watch.

I'll let you try my Wu tang style

[oioitommyives · 5/10 · 19 January 2005]

The instant appeal of this film is that I was a fan of the Wu Tang Clan's debut album "Enter The Wu Tang" and the sound clips from the film that the gang used . " You really think your Wu tang style can defeat me ? " , "if what you say is true , the Wu tang and the Shao Lin..could be dangerous " and so forth , so for myself and the mate who I shared a domino's pizza with, we had the delight of hearing those famous quotes on screen and repeating them in true Shao Lin style.

The second major appeal of this cult classic was the star, Mr.Gordon Liu , you may know him better as Pai Mei in Kill Bill volume 2 (who was basically the hardest man in the world) . Gordon is in superb form and emerges from talented but gentle nice guy (if not a bit camp ) jun kip to bald Shao Lin warrior tat chi .

I have a feeling that this would be the 2 main appeals of most potential viewers and for my money they are the only reasons to watch , the Kung Fu is superb and the audience is given the treat of both highly skilled martial arts in equal dosage , it just seems a shame that it is poorly used in a bizarre plot , from point A to point B , it reads as simple , two friends , one of the Shao Lin school and one of the Wu tang school must eventually meet each other in a fight to the death , to determine who's style is best . What lies in between is a plot that can only be described as mesmerising , characters seem to vanish , objectives of characters change through out for no apparent reason , men are locked up in prison with shrieking women , it's all one giant bizarre mess to fill the cassam between the start and the finish .

Watch because you love kung fu (the kung fu is excellent) , watch because your a fan of Gordon liu, watch because your a fan of the Wu tang clan album "enter the Wu tang " but don't watch because you like a good story.

The birth of Wu Tang!

[QKnown · 17 February 2000]

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".