Martial Arts of Shaolin 南北少林 (1986): The One Where Liu Kar-leung Took Over, Jet Li Found His Real-Life Love, and the Shaolin Trilogy Went Out with a Bang

Full movie in English with English subtitles

If you can't watch it, please click here to go to YouTube.

The Third Time Was the Charm

After The Shaolin Temple (1982) and Kids from Shaolin (1984), a third film was inevitable. But this time, something was different.

The first two films were directed by Zhang Xinyan with a mainland crew. For the third, the studio brought in a Hong Kong director: Liu Kar-leung — the legendary martial arts choreographer behind The 36th Chamber of Shaolin and Dirty Ho.

Martial Arts of Shaolin (also known as Shaolin Temple 3) was released on February 1, 1986 $citation:1$$citation:10$. It was the only time Liu Kar-leung and Jet Li ever worked together $citation:10$$citation:12$.

The film earned HK$18.1 million at the Hong Kong box office $citation:10$$citation:12$ and won the Silver Hugo Award at the 43rd Turin International Sports Film Festival $citation:1$$citation:6$$citation:11$. It holds a 7.2 on Douban with over 12,000 ratings $citation:4$.

What Is It About?

The plot is classic revenge.

Zhi Ming (Jet Li) is a Northern Shaolin monk who has spent years training to avenge his father's death at the hands of the evil Lord He Suo (Yu Chenghui) $citation:1$$citation:4$$citation:6$.

He's not the only one seeking revenge. Sima Yan (Huang Qiuyan) is a Southern Shaolin lay disciple whose family was also destroyed by He Suo. She travels north to assassinate the same target $citation:1$$citation:4$.

On Lord He Suo's birthday, both attack. Both fail. They escape with the help of Zhao Wei (Hu Jianqiang), another Southern Shaolin disciple sent to protect Sima Yan $citation:1$$citation:4$.

During their escape, Zhi Ming notices that Sima Yan wears a silver bracelet identical to his own. He realizes she is his betrothed — the woman he was meant to marry before he became a monk $citation:1$$citation:4$.

He cannot marry her. He is a monk. He chooses silence.

The film ends with a second attack on Lord He Suo. This time, with the help of Southern and Northern Shaolin monks, they succeed $citation:1$. Zhi Ming kills He Suo, rescues Sima Yan — and then walks away alone $citation:1$$citation:4$.

The Cast That Made It Work

Jet Li as Zhi Ming — the Northern Shaolin monk seeking revenge. It's his third Shaolin film, and his performance is more mature than in the previous entries.

Huang Qiuyan as Sima Yan — the Southern Shaolin disciple seeking revenge. She was Jet Li's real-life girlfriend at the time (they would later marry) $citation:4$$citation:6$.

Hu Jianqiang as Zhao Wei — the Southern Shaolin disciple sent to protect Sima Yan. He's the comic relief and the emotional anchor.

Yu Chenghui as Lord He Suo — the villain. He played the villain in all three Shaolin films, and he's just as menacing here as he was in the first.

Yu Hai as Master Shi Ren — the Northern Shaolin abbot. He's the voice of reason.

Ji Chunhua as Lord He's bodyguard — one of the many henchmen, played by the actor who would become famous for his role as the villain in The Shaolin Temple.

The Real-Life Love Story

The relationship between Jet Li and Huang Qiuyan was not just on screen. They had met as teenagers at the Beijing Wushu Team and had grown close $citation:4$. By the time Martial Arts of Shaolin was filmed, they were in a relationship.

They would later marry and have two daughters. The chemistry between them in the film is genuine $citation:4$.

But the film also features a heartbreaking performance from Huang Qiuyan. She is not just a love interest — she is a full character with her own arc. She is seeking revenge, she is capable, and she is not afraid to fight.

The Director's Touch

Liu Kar-leung was a master of martial arts choreography. His films were known for their realism and their emphasis on traditional kung fu $citation:5$$citation:10$.

But Martial Arts of Shaolin is different from his earlier work. It's more commercial, more accessible, and more focused on spectacle. Liu was reportedly unhappy with the film, feeling that he had to compromise his artistic vision to suit the commercial demands of the production $citation:10$.

Despite his dissatisfaction, the film still showcases his signature style: crisp, grounded fight scenes that emphasize technique over wirework.

Why It Still Matters

Martial Arts of Shaolin is not the best film in the Shaolin trilogy. It's the weakest — a fact that Liu Kar-leung himself acknowledged. The film feels rushed, the plot is thin, and the ending is abrupt.

But it's also the only film where Jet Li worked with Liu Kar-leung $citation:10$. And it's the film where Jet Li and Huang Qiuyan shared the screen for the first time as a real-life couple.

For fans of Jet Li's early work, it's an essential watch. For fans of Liu Kar-leung's choreography, it's a curiosity. And for anyone who loves Hong Kong cinema, it's a reminder of an era when kung fu films were the biggest thing in the world.

Final Thought

Martial Arts of Shaolin is a film about a man who must choose between revenge and love — and chooses revenge.

It's a film about a woman who fights alongside her betrothed — only to watch him walk away.

And it's a film that proves that even a weak ending can't ruin a great beginning.

Have you seen Martial Arts of Shaolin? Did you prefer the Zhang Xinyan films or Liu Kar-leung's entry? Let me know in the comments.

Tom De · The Movie Prince 🎬