I'm not gonna' get into the synopsis of this movie, as most people have covered it allready, but I do want to say Beardy did a convincing job of the iron skin technique as well as being stiff as a board in personality and demeanor. The guy looked menacing. Wang Lung Wei's technique was kind of comical in that people would punch his pooch, he would absorb the punch, and then bounce the punch back to the attacker where they fall six feet back and die from internal bleeding.

This movie was apparently the footprint for all future kf movies with the teacher/student dynamic. There are lots of drawn out training scenes (if that's your thing). It's worthy of a watch, but I can't see myself watching this repeatedly.

Shaolin Martial Arts is a Chang Cheh classic which not only bridges the cross over from one stable of action stars, but introduces new stars, who will go on to make kung fu in the 70's and 80's the stuff of legend.

The cast reads like a roster of who's who: Fu Sheng, Chi Kuan Chun, Wang Lung Wei, Gordon Lui, Tino Wong, Lui Kar Yung, and the introduction of my personal favorite, Liang Jia Ren, in his debut.

This is another tale of Shaolin kung fu experts under attack by the Manchu warlords and the film basically sets up it's forthcoming action by having the schools perform at a ritual with Manchus belittling Shaolin only as an excuse to attack them.

When they enlist the assistance of Wang Lung Wei and Liang Jia Ren as "invincible armour" fighters, the Shaolin brothers don't stand a chance. Chi and Fu Sheng are sent to learn Hung fist and Tiger Crane in seclusion, bringing about some of the best training sequences, pre Jackie Chan in Snake in Eagles Shadow, and Drunken Master. Their training takes about a third of the film, and when they finally do get down to the finale, ooh boy!!!

Chang Cheh knew exactly how to convey the spirit of the fighters, and the seriousness about their art. Drama depicted when Kuan Chun finally masters his skill leaves the audience more ready for him to take revenge than his own character!

This is one great Kung Fu film, from an era still being shaped by what was to come. Enjoy it for the first time, and you may well be hooked on Chang's co-horts!!!

Four and one half!!!