# Raining in the Mountain A.K.A. Kong Shan Ling Yu • 空山靈雨 (1979)

Raining in the Mountain (1979), originally released as 空山靈雨 (Kong Shan Ling Yu), is a Hong Kong wuxia film directed by acclaimed filmmaker King Hu. Starring Hsu Feng, Tung Lam, Tien Feng, Paul Chang Chung, Lee Man-Tai, and Suen Yuet, the film combines Buddhist monastery intrigue, swordplay, deception, theft, and political maneuvering against the striking backdrop of a remote mountain temple. Produced during King Hu's later period of wuxia filmmaking, Raining in the Mountain is known for its carefully composed cinematography, elaborate monastery setting, and unusual mixture of spiritual themes and martial arts suspense. Available from ClassicKungFuMovies.com for collectors who value accurate film details and hard-to-find physical media.

STORY OVERVIEW

During the Ming Dynasty, the abbot of the Three Precious Hall monastery is preparing to retire and must choose his successor. Several monks are considered for the position, while government officials and wealthy visitors take an interest in the monastery and its affairs. The arrival of a valuable Buddhist scroll creates another complication, attracting thieves and opportunists who see the secluded temple as an ideal place to carry out their plans.

Among those drawn into the monastery's increasingly complicated affairs are a disguised thief, a professional pickpocket, a visiting official, and a number of monks with motives of their own. As the characters move through the temple grounds, alliances constantly shift and suspicion spreads. What begins as a question of religious succession develops into a carefully plotted struggle involving the theft of the sacred scroll, hidden identities, and competing attempts to manipulate the monastery's future.

MARTIAL ARTS HIGHLIGHTS

Raining in the Mountain takes a more measured approach to martial arts than many action-heavy wuxia films, using swordplay, stealth, acrobatics, and sudden bursts of violence as part of its larger mystery. King Hu's choreography emphasizes movement through the monastery's architecture, with characters climbing walls, crossing rooftops, disappearing into the surrounding landscape, and using deception as much as direct combat. The result is a distinctive blend of martial arts action and suspense.

WHY COLLECTORS PICK IT

Collectors value Raining in the Mountain for King Hu's distinctive filmmaking style and its unusual setting inside a Buddhist monastery. Hsu Feng, Tung Lam, Tien Feng, and the supporting cast bring different personalities and competing motives into the story, while the film's mountain locations and carefully staged movement give it a visual character unlike more conventional kung fu productions. It is particularly appealing to collectors interested in the quieter, more atmospheric side of classic wuxia.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Released in 1979, Raining in the Mountain belongs to the later period of King Hu's influential wuxia career. The film was produced by King Hu's Hong Kong-based King Hu Film Company and filmed largely in Korea, where the mountain scenery and Buddhist temple locations became an important part of its visual identity. Its combination of monastery intrigue, elaborate composition, and martial arts helped demonstrate how wuxia could work as both an action genre and a carefully constructed period drama.

• Verified AKAs:
  • Raining in the Mountain – English title
  • Kong Shan Ling Yu – Mandarin romanization
  • 空山靈雨 – Original Traditional Chinese title
  • 空山灵雨 – Simplified Chinese title
  • Raining in the Mountains – Alternate English title
• Director: King Hu
• Writer: King Hu
• Producer: King Hu
• Production Company: King Hu Film Company
• Cinematography: Lam Ling
• Music: Wu Ta-Chi
• Country: Hong Kong / Taiwan
• Filmed In: Korea
• Starring: Hsu Feng, Tung Lam, Tien Feng, Paul Chang Chung, Lee Man-Tai, Suen Yuet, Wu Ming-Tsai, Chen Hui-Lou
• Genre: Wuxia, Martial Arts, Drama, Mystery
• Martial Arts Focus: Wuxia Swordplay, Stealth, Acrobatics
• Format: DVD
• Language: Cantonese
• Subtitles: English, Features
• Region: All
• Running Time: 120 Minutes
• Release Year: 1979

Carefully researched and prepared for collectors of classic martial arts cinema by ClassicKungFuMovies.com.