Jet Li's first starring role, filmed in the Temple precincts, with a cast full of Wu Shu Masters, was a runaway success establishing Li Lian-Jie as an international film-star. It was also highly successful on another level as it presented Chinese history from an accurate, expert perspective in a dynamic, graphic manner differing from conventional Western accounts, due to their failure to understand Kung F's importance in Chinese History, in this case they failed to spot how the Shaolin Temple and thirteen stick-monks saved the mighty Empire of Tang!

Although you can't learn Kung Fu from watching action films and DVDs (the importance of having a proper teacher cannot be over-stressed) you can learn about Kung Fu and its History and also China's (the two are inextricably interlinked). In fact, China invented History (in 93 CE, for instance Ssu Ma Chien completes Records of the Grand Historian in 103 Volumes) and the historical content, clothing, accoutrements, weaponry and Kung Fu of many Chinese Kung Fu films is often strikingly accurate as the following example may help to illustrate.

The Shaolin Temple

The film details the first public displays of the Temple's Martial and Military might and its role in the establishment of the Tang Dynasty via support of Li Shi Min, Prince of Qin, who later, after a military struggle, became Emperor Taizhong. Although the Shaolin Temple was founded much earlier, in 477 CE, these events, set between 610-21 CE represent the first open display of its astonishing Martial prowess, which quite literally, caught the Dynasty's (and China's People's) enemies off guard. History subsequently recognised the Tang as the apogee of Chinese culture and achievement to date and Li Shi Min as perhaps the greatest Chinese person ever,

Western historians, particularly of Colonial and Post-Colonial provenance typically view China from ethnocentric perspectives. Lacking even elementary knowledge of Kung Fu, Qigong and Feng Shui for instance (and many other similar fundamentals) they produce partial accounts where such influences, even when the prime movers behind events, are entirely absent. Hence the lack of recognition of the Shaolin Temple's role in these (and other) events. Naturally, Chinese historical records differ-- a stele (inscribed stone Tablet) dated 728 CE in the Temple precincts confirms the Temple's pivotal role in these events, giving the names of the Shaolin 13 stick-monks who became Li Shi Min's personal guards and who fought on battlefields alongside him.

The events covered in Shaolin Temple1 concern the re-establishment of the Dynasty on a sound firm footing as Early Tang disintegrates under the misguided leadership of its first Emperor, Li Shi Min's father Li Yuan, Emperor Gao Tzu. Jet Li stars as novice Stick Monk Guer Yuen-- a child taken in by the Temple after his father's murder by vicious rebels who had sprung up as a consequence.

Brilliant supporting performances abound, especially Yu Chengwei as Wang Shigung a wicked rebellious Satrap attempting to establish a cruel rival empire and Ji Chunhua as ''Bald Eagle'' his vicious sidekick and nephew Wang Renze. The former displays his skillful Drunken Swordplay, the latter his proficiency in Eagle-Claw and Hawk's Paw Boxing-- both (like Jet Li) are Changchuan 'Longfist' Kung Fu stylists.

Three set pieces stand out in particular. The rescue of Li Shi Min after capture by Wang Renze, by the stick monks led by Chief Stick Monk Tanzhong; the consequent successful defence of the Temple against an attack by a Wang Shigung army in reprisal and the repulse of this; and the decisive Battle of Hulao (621 CE) in which the 13 stick monks once again played a key part in the defeat of an army twice the size of Li Shi-Min's This was instrumental in bringing about the final surrender of Wang Shigung and the end of the campaign.

Overall

And the Aftermath? The Temple received substantial grants of land and numerous further rewards and privileges; Tanzhong was made a General; Guer Yuen became a stick-monk and (eventually) Chief Stick Monk; Li Shi Min became Emperor Taizhong and China experienced 100 years of uninterrupted peace and social progress as a consequence!