I've been watching classic martial arts films for about 10 years now, ranging from serious drama to absurd comedy. You can find all sort of things in this genre, although they tend to have great fighting scenes regardless. This film is not an exception. The kung-fu is brilliant, and you can enjoy the use of several weapons as well as excellent unarmed combat. The styles are fluid and well executed. However, I find the movie boring and very disrespectful towards Buddhism and Shaolin. Perhaps the fact that I had to watch it dubbed also took its toll and I ended up disinterested and bored. If you are fond of Shaolin, I'd recommend any film by Shaw Brothers instead.

I love this movie. In fact, when I saw it, I started to love kung fu movies. Why? If you have seen this movie you will know why. Don't ask, just see it. Because this is the greatest kung fu movie ever made. No "Hero", no "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", this movie is the best. Great story, even greater fights - what else do you need? This is the first Jet Li's movie and it made him star.I will not tell you the story. See the movie and you will know it. If I could, I woul give "Shaolin Temple" not 10 but 20/10. Well, I can't...But now I am wasting your time. Don't waste time with reading comments, just go and see this great movie!

This join venture of Hong Kong and mainland China started the 1980's boom of martial arts flicks in China.Jet Li is the protagonist in this movie and unlike his later works, there is no stunt, no cable, no crane, no other equipment, no special effect, no fake moves, and no artistic creations. Every move is real, and the Hong Kong producers & director ingeniously employed the Chinese martial arts athletes of provincial teams and one from the national team, Jet Li, instead of ordinary actors to perform, thus giving a very realistic view.

Make sure to check this movie out if you can find it! If you can, tell me where so I can order a copy. As Eric Yu says, the plot is rather typical, but the fight scenes are really well thought out. The martial arts choreography was done by Pan Qingfu, who stars in the movie as one of the bad guys and who was also the coach of the Chinese national wushu team at one point.If you'd like to check out another movie with Pan Qingfu, this time playing himself, watch Iron and Silk. It's rather silly, but Master Pan is pretty cool and Mark Salzman is awfully good at wushu for a white guy.