Shaolin: Wheel of Life (2001)

12/11/2001 (GB) • 1h 16m

Action, Documentary

Overview

Have you ever done a handstand... on the tips of your index fingers? How about snapping iron bars over your head as if they were bread-sticks? You'll witness these amazing feats and much more in this astonishing London performance of China's legendary Shaolin monks. In perfecting their martial arts prowess, these devoted Buddhists have honed their physical and mental disciplines to such an uncommon degree that their movements seem almost supernaturally powerful. From the athletic contortions of a young acolyte to an older monk being hoisted aloft on the points of sharpened spears, these men and boys have conquered and crossed boundaries of control that would strike most outsiders as impossible if it weren't for their living proof. In demonstrating these and other kung fu skills, the Shaolin also enact their history as an enduring order, providing a theatrical narrative that's literally breathtaking.

Top Billed Cast

John Hurt

Narrator (voice)

Tom Yang

Emperor

Jason Ninh Cao

Bad General

Wang Zhigang

Emperor's Assistent

Cheng Yun

Musician

Reijun Hui

Musician

Liu Ching

Musician


Recommendations

The Dark Knight Rises

78%

Headhunters

72%

Into the Wild

78%

Boys Don't Cry

74%

The Tiger and the Snow

68%

Che: Part One

68%

Manderlay

69%

21 Grams

73%

Bill Burr Presents: Friends Who Kill

55%

McCabe & Mrs. Miller

71%

The Virgin Spring

78%

Shakespeare in Love

68%

Orange County

60%

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

67%

Ocean's Thirteen

67%

Love Me If You Dare

72%

Memento

82%

Dreams

77%

Blow

74%

The American

60%

Status

Released

Original Language

English

Budget

-

Revenue

-

Keywords

No keywords have been added.

© All Rights Reserved 2025