| What can I say about this Chang Cheh classic that hasn't been said already?
Chen Kuan Tai, Fu Sheng, and Chi Kuai Chun, the men who will forever be celluloid Hung Hsi Kuan, Fang Siu Yi, and Hu Hei Chien, real life Shaolin heroes.
The film starts with minor flashback backgrounds introducing each character, before getting into the main story where the three come together to battle the Manchu army in an explosive finish.
The action by Tang Chia, and Liu Chia Liang is very precise in its depiction of the Shaolin styles from that era. Many originally thought the scenes to be too crafty and "stylish", however, this is the true way those fist forms are performed. Each fighter performs to their natural capabilities, Chen Kuan Tai especially showing strength behind every punch, grasp, and kick.
These men also seemed so comfortable playing each character, no wonder they were brought back for future sequels, resuming the roles.
Not much room for women here as the "brotherhood" came first and foremost!
"Men From The Monastery" is a traditional, classic film from an era before the acrobatics of JC, and WP, and loaded with the type of charismatic performances that producers today would kill for. |