Songshan Shaolin Temple A.K.A. Best of Shaolin • 嵩山少林寺 (2003)

Songshan Shaolin Temple is a rare martial arts documentary directed by Gen Takahashi that takes viewers inside the legendary Songshan Shaolin Temple in Henan Province, China. Rather than presenting a fictional kung fu story, the film focuses on the temple, its monks, its history, and the traditional Shaolin martial arts associated with one of China's most famous centers of kung fu.

STORY OVERVIEW

The documentary explores the history and traditions of Songshan Shaolin Temple, long associated with the Shaolin school of Chinese martial arts and the Buddhist tradition connected with Damo (Bodhidharma). Gen Takahashi's film examines the temple from the perspective of the people who practice and preserve its martial arts traditions.

The film also provides a closer look at Shaolin training, physical conditioning, traditional forms, breathing exercises, and the disciplined practice of the monks. For collectors of Chinese martial arts cinema, Songshan Shaolin Temple offers a different experience from a fictional kung fu movie by documenting the temple and its martial arts heritage directly.

MARTIAL ARTS HIGHLIGHTS

Featuring traditional Shaolin Kung Fu, martial arts forms, monk training, physical conditioning, breathing exercises, and demonstrations connected with the Shaolin tradition. The documentary is especially valuable for viewers interested in the training methods and cultural background behind the martial arts frequently portrayed in classic kung fu films.

WHY COLLECTORS PICK IT

This is an unusual title for a martial arts DVD collection because it is a documentary rather than a conventional kung fu action movie. Songshan Shaolin Temple gives collectors an opportunity to explore the real temple, its monks, and its martial arts traditions while adding an important documentary title to a Chinese martial arts library.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Directed by Gen Takahashi, the 2003 documentary was made around the Songshan Shaolin Temple and focuses on the history and practice of Shaolin martial arts. The film is also known under the alternate title Best of Shaolin and has been catalogued as a documentary about the Songshan Shaolin Temple.

• Verified A.K.A.s:
  • Songshan Shaolin Temple – English title
  • Best of Shaolin – Alternate English title
  • 嵩山少林寺 – Chinese title
• Director: Gen Takahashi
• Country: Japan / Hong Kong release listings
• Genre: Documentary, Martial Arts, Chinese Culture
• Martial Arts Focus: Shaolin Kung Fu, Traditional Chinese Martial Arts, Monk Training, Shaolin Forms
• Original Release Year: 2003
• Format: DVD
• Edition: All NTSC
• Running Time: Approximately 98 Minutes on the photographed DVD edition
• Video: NTSC, 16:9, Color, MPEG
• Audio: Dolby Digital, Chinese / Japanese
• Subtitles: Not specified on the photographed packaging
• Publisher: Winsen Entertainment Distribution Ltd.
• Barcode: 4896067300046

COLLECTOR'S NOTE: The photographed DVD packaging states approximately 98 minutes. Other film and documentary catalogues commonly list the original documentary at approximately 52 minutes, so the 98-minute figure above is specifically the running time printed on this DVD edition's packaging.