The Shaolin Temple | |||||||||||
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![]() Japanese poster | |||||||||||
Chinese name | |||||||||||
Traditional Chinese | 少林寺 | ||||||||||
Simplified Chinese | 少林寺 | ||||||||||
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Directed by | Chang Hsin Yen | ||||||||||
Written by | Shih Hou Lu Shau Chang | ||||||||||
Produced by | Liu Yet Yuen | ||||||||||
Starring | Jet Li Ding Lan Yu Hai | ||||||||||
Cinematography | Lau Fung-lam Chau Pak-ling | ||||||||||
Edited by | Wong Ting Ku Chi-wai Li Yuk-wai Chang Hsin-yen | ||||||||||
Production company | Chung Yuen Motion Picture Company | ||||||||||
Release date |
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Running time | 95 minutes | ||||||||||
Countries | Hong Kong China | ||||||||||
Language | Mandarin | ||||||||||
Box office | US$111.9 million |
The Shaolin Temple (少林寺) is a 1982 Chinese–Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Chang Hsin Yen and starring Jet Li in his debut role (credited as Jet Lee in the film) along with Ding Lan and Yu Hai in supporting roles. The film is based on the Shaolin Monastery in China and depicts Shaolin Kung Fu.[1] The film was among the first major co-productions between Hong Kong and mainland China, and the first to be filmed in mainland China with a mostly mainland cast.[2] The film's plot has an episodic storytelling structure while combining action, comedy and romance elements.[3]
It was the first martial arts film to be made in mainland China after the founding of the People's Republic of China; up until then, kung fu films and wuxia films were mostly made in Hong Kong and Taiwan. It was also the first film to be shot at the Shaolin Monastery.[4] It sold an estimated 500 million tickets at the Chinese box office, and is estimated to be China's highest-grossing film ever when adjusted for inflation. The film's success established Jet Li as the first Mainland Chinese star of Hong Kong, and later Hollywood.[1] It was also largely responsible for turning the Shaolin Monastery into a major tourist destination, both within China and internationally.[4] A remake of the film was released in 2011 titled Shaolin and starred Andy Lau, Nicholas Tse and Jackie Chan.[5]