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Shaolin (2011), also known by its original Chinese title 新少林寺 and the Mandarin romanized title Xin Shaolin Si, is a major Hong Kong-Chinese Shaolin martial arts film directed by Benny Chan and featuring an all-star cast led by Andy Lau, Nicholas Tse, Jackie Chan, and Wu Jing. Set during China's warlord era, the film combines traditional Shaolin kung fu, large-scale battlefield action, historical drama, and a powerful story of betrayal, sacrifice, and redemption.

STORY OVERVIEW

Warlord Hou Jie, played by Andy Lau, is determined to defeat his rivals and expand his power during a period of political instability and civil conflict. After defeating a rival warlord, Hou Jie is betrayed by his own ally and suffers the destruction of everything he has built, including the loss of his family.

With nowhere else to turn, Hou Jie seeks refuge at the Shaolin Temple, where he is taken in by the monks. Forced to confront his past and the consequences of his ambition, he gradually begins to understand the discipline and teachings of Shaolin.

When the ruthless Cao Man, played by Nicholas Tse, continues his campaign for power, the conflict reaches the Shaolin Temple. Hou Jie and the monks must stand together against the warlords while protecting the innocent people caught in the violence.

MARTIAL ARTS & SHAOLIN HIGHLIGHTS

Shaolin combines traditional Chinese martial arts with large-scale modern action filmmaking. The film features hand-to-hand combat, weapons fighting, Shaolin monk techniques, battlefield action, and elaborate martial arts choreography.

The action brings together veteran Hong Kong martial arts talent with performers including Jackie Chan and Wu Jing, giving the film a strong connection to the Hong Kong kung fu tradition while presenting Shaolin combat on a much larger scale.

The Shaolin sequences emphasize traditional martial arts discipline and the contrast between the monks' philosophy and the violence of the warlords surrounding them.

WHY COLLECTORS PICK IT

Shaolin is an important modern title for collectors of Shaolin Movies, Chinese Martial Arts Movies, and Hong Kong Action Cinema. The cast brings together several major names from Asian cinema, with Andy Lau carrying the dramatic lead while Jackie Chan and Wu Jing add considerable martial arts presence.

Jackie Chan plays the Shaolin cook Wudao, while Wu Jing portrays the Shaolin monk Jingneng. Nicholas Tse's performance as the ambitious and ruthless Cao Man provides the central antagonist to Hou Jie's journey toward redemption.

The film is especially significant for collectors who enjoy modern productions centered around the legendary Shaolin Temple and its martial arts tradition, combining traditional kung fu with historical drama and large-scale action.

MODERN SHAOLIN MARTIAL ARTS CINEMA

Released in 2011, Shaolin presents a modern interpretation of the Shaolin martial arts tradition. Rather than focusing only on individual martial arts contests, the film places the Shaolin monks within a much larger historical conflict involving warlords, military power, betrayal, and the consequences of unchecked ambition.

The production's large-scale sets and battle sequences give the Shaolin Temple an important visual presence throughout the film, while the story's emphasis on discipline, sacrifice and redemption connects the movie with the long tradition of Shaolin-themed kung fu cinema.

With its combination of traditional kung fu, historical drama, major Hong Kong stars and elaborate action choreography, Shaolin stands as a notable modern Chinese martial arts production.

THE SHAOLIN CONNECTION

The original Chinese title 新少林寺 translates as New Shaolin Temple. The film tells its own story of warlords, monks, betrayal and redemption while drawing on the legendary martial arts tradition associated with the Shaolin Temple.

For collectors of Shaolin cinema, the film is notable for bringing together Andy Lau, Nicholas Tse, Jackie Chan and Wu Jing in a large-scale production devoted to the history, discipline and martial arts of Shaolin.

• Verified A.K.A.s:
  • Shaolin – International English title
  • 新少林寺 – Original Chinese title
  • Xin Shaolin Si – Mandarin romanization
  • New Shaolin Temple – English translation of the Chinese title
• Director: Benny Chan
• Writers: Alan Yuen, Chi Kwong Cheung, Quiyu Wang, Chan Kam-cheong
• Starring: Andy Lau, Nicholas Tse, Jackie Chan, Wu Jing, Fan Bingbing, Xing Yu, Yu Shaoqun
• Andy Lau Character: Hou Jie
• Nicholas Tse Character: Cao Man
• Jackie Chan Character: Wudao
• Wu Jing Character: Jingneng
• Country: Hong Kong / China
• Genre: Martial Arts, Action, Drama
• Martial Arts Focus: Shaolin Kung Fu, Traditional Chinese Martial Arts, Weapons Fighting, Battlefield Combat
• Release Year: 2011

DVD DETAILS

• Format: DVD
• Edition: Bonzai Media Corporation
• Video: 16:9 Widescreen
• Video System: NTSC
• Audio: Dolby Digital
• Language: Cantonese / English
• Subtitles: English / Chinese
• Running Time: Approximately 131 Minutes
• Region: All
• DVD Feature: New English Language Version

DVD specifications are based on the physical Bonzai DVD edition shown above and may differ from other releases of the film.

Collector's Note: This is a physical DVD edition of Shaolin. Please review the photographs and listed specifications carefully before ordering, as packaging and technical specifications can vary between DVD releases.

Carefully researched and prepared for collectors of Shaolin kung fu, Chinese martial arts, and Hong Kong action cinema by ClassicKungFuMovies.com.