Saturday, March 10, 2007

Shao Lin si (1976)

English titles: Death Chamber; Shaolin Temple.
Synopsis (spoilers!): Several young men sit for days outside the Shaolin Temple, expecting to be admitted as kung-fu students. In consideration of this, and also of the fact that the temple needs strengthening on account of being threatened by powerful enemies, among whom the emperor himself, the Temple's Grand Master decides to start taking outside pupils. The film shows their training. It ends with a massive attack of the temple and its subsequent destruction.
Appraisal: I didn't see much fun in watching hours of training; the fighting is concentrated near the ending, and, although well choreographed, is very long. So, I should say that this film didn't give me much in the way of entertaining, though it is competently directed within its budget constraints (warning: expect zooming).
Rating: 40

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