A Slice of Death (1979) - full transcript

"Shaolin Monastery"

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Stop!

Brother Zhi Shan,
the Abbot would like to see you



Greetings to Abbot

Zhi Shan, you've been a monk
since you were a kid

How long have you been in this monastery?

I came here since I was six,
it's been twenty years

For years, monks in this monastery

have practised martial art to resist Qing

but we are short of weapons

The Qings forbid
the possession of weapons by people

that's why we have to make them ourselves

I'm now ordering you to
go to the Wen Shu Temple

Go and meet Priest Wu Chen

to get the blueprints of gunmaking

and steelwelding

Do you think you can manage this task?



I'll do my best

Good

Wu Chen was an exMing general

He's very good at kung fu

You can stay and learn from him

I will!

Brother Zhi Shan

We students from Shaolin
aren't allowed to leave freely

This time Abbot ordered you
to the Er Mei Mount

You're lucky to have the chance
to move around

to get some experience

People in the martial arts world
are crafty

There are pitfalls everywhere,
you must be very careful

Brother Fei Wen is right

but man is by nature kind

Otherwise,

Buddha wouldn't have come to save us

Do you have Abbot's letter with you?

Yes!

Brother, please!

Take care

Goodbye

Master, haven't seen you around here
at Mt. Er Mei

May I ask where you are from
and where you're headed?

I am from Shaolin Monastery at Song Shan

and have to go to Wen Shu Temple
to see Priest Wu Chen

What a coincidence.
Wu Chen happens to be my uncle

Across this mountain is the Wen Shu Temple

Thank you Madam! Please!

I don't know you,
and this path is precarious

I must be on my guard
against your sudden attacks

I know abbot's requirements

The weapons drawings he wants

would take at least 3 months to compile

You stay here first.
I'll get it done as soon as I can

Thank you!

What else did the abbot want you to do?

He said you excel at martial arts

and wants me to learn from you

That's laudable

I'll take you as my student

Teacher, my respects!

Good!

Dao de

Yes

Take Zhi Shan to the guest room

Yes!

Since the Shaolin Monastery
is dedicated to

expel the Manchurians

its kung fu must be extraordinary!

Everyone in the monastery
is busy practising

How many years have you practised?

I joined at six and am twenty six now

So you have practised for twenty years

You must be peerless

May I venture to match blows with you?

Brother Feng, why did you

use such a fatal maneuver?

That's what I've learnt

You'll recover after a month's rest

I admit I've not mastered kung fu

Some day

I'll meet him again

Brother, it's your own fault

I saw you used a devastating technique
to attack him

He hurt you only out of selfdefense

It wasn't intentional, please excuse me

Zhi Shan, don't blame yourself

This is my younger brother Bai Mei

whojust returned from his tour

He got some Shaolin news from the court

which may interest you

The Court has found out about Shaolin

secretly indulging in martial arts

and making weapons

Those from Shaolin
have been classified as rebels

and yet you have retained
a Shaolin monk here

I don't think it's right

What do you mean?

Shaolin is committed to expel Manchurians

That is a heroic act

we should all contribute our part

If you want to be friends with rebels

I have nothing to say

Brother, to each his own

From this day we go separate ways

There must be some truth in this news

from brother Bai Mei

I'll inform Shaolin Monastery

For the meantime
concentrate on your kung fu

Yes!

You have practised kung fu at Shaolin
for years

what are your specialties?

DragonVanquishing Palm

Iron head

And SingleFinger Meditation

You have been practising
hard style kung fu

but now you should
work on your inner powers;

This transcends all kung fu

For Chopping, exhale from the abdomen

Strength is exercised from the palm

Once you master it

you can break the jars

For Iron Head,
practise neck strength first

Exhale and focus all strength
towards the head

Guang Yuan

Yes!

Dan Tian Gang

Yes!

Yue Ying Qi

Yes!

Monks in the Shaolin Monastery
are conspiring to rebel

What have you found out about it?

We have sent someone inside,
posing as workers

it's confirmed they are practising
kung fu in secret

and have treacherous intentions

Why haven't you wiped them out?

There are underground secret chambers

We must not arouse their suspicion

I order you to wipe them out in 3 months

failing which you'll be beheaded

Troops of He Nan are at your disposal

Yes

I'm grateful for your instructions

in this half year, sir

You've assimilated everything well

and have made remarkable progress

Keep on practising after your return

Yes!

Keep well the

weapons drawing

Yes. Please go back, I'll take your leave

Zhi Shan must pass here

on his way to Shaolin today

When he does so, I'll teach him a lesson

Brother Zhi Shan is a gentleman

it's your fault too that day

Why are you doing this?

I don't want the master to blame us

Go away if you're afraid

Uncle Bai Mei has said

we are free to kill Zhi Shan

What a coincidence we meet here

Brother Feng, I am returning to Shaolin

So you have learnt our Er Mei kung fu

and want to return to Shaolin to show off

Why do you say this?

Teacher said learning kung fu
is just for defense

this is the only purpose

I want to see if you could defend yourself

Shaolin Monastery is full of
secret tunnels and cells

you've sketched it well

Thank you, Mr Li

We have two spies staying in Shaolin

for half a year

Until today we've found out
the layout of the monastery

I hear their rules are strict

and monks are not allowed to leave

Yes, I was instructed to buy
foodstuff today

that's why I could come here

Mr Li

Yes!

Tell them to prepare dynamite

and hide it all inside the food

Let them bring back to the Monastery

Yes!

Pick out 400 elite for this duty

after eradicating Shaolin,
they'll be promoted

Yes!

Return to Shaolin first to help us there

Go back, hurry!

Yes

Some men are here

May I ask why are you here

at this late hour?

By the order of His Majesty

Tibet's Lama is here,

ask your abbot to welcome him

Since Bodhidharma travelled south

our Monastery honoured the Zen sect

We have no connection with
Tibet's esoteric doctrine

Please go back

You dare disobey an imperial order?

Shaolin will be eliminated
for disobedience

Come on, men!

Attack!

Kill them!

Attack!

The Manchurian troops are here...

Guard the monastery's gate, quick!

Guard the monastery's gate,
I'll protect the Abbot

Hurry

Abbot, the Manchurian troops
are attacking us

Order everyone to resist

Come with me to fight, hurry!

Those monks are all in the secret cells

Let's go!

It's in the front

The secret cell is underneath the well

Great, those monks are hiding in the cell

We will use dynamite to block the tunnel

They are all trapped

None of them can get away

Throw it down!

Hurry! Let's rush out and kill the Tartars

You protect the Abbot

Yes!

Spare my life!

Blow them up!

Abbot... run!

Where's the Abbot?

Abbot! He's in the secret cell

Abbot! Abbot!

Zhi Shan!

What happened to you?

You are back

Run! Hurry and run!

Use the dynamite to blow up the Monastery

Yes!

Let's go!

Abbot!

I can't make it,
you better run for your life!

No, Abbot. How can I leave you behind

Did you get what I ordered you to get?

Yes

But what's the use?

Yes, the Shaolin Monastery is destroyed

It's your duty to rebuild it

Do you understand?

Yes, I'll risk my life

to have the Shaolin Monastery rebuilt

Go to the south

The people there have an unbending spirit

Go and solicit offerings

and look for heroic men

to rebuild the Shaolin Monastery

Yes!

Guang Dong and Fujin have famous mountains

South Shaolin must be rebuilt

Yes, Abbot, I will take up
this responsibility

I'm relieved

South Shaolin must be rebuilt

Even though I've to beg every penny of it

Shaolin Monastery must be rebuilt
in the South

"Guang Dong"

Sir, please offer me a vegetarian diet

and allow me to stay for a night

Nonsense. I'm running a business,
not doing charity

Without money, even gods are unwelcome

Go away...

Master, please stay

His lodging and boarding

will be on me

Yes Sir!

Master, have a seat!

Thank you, Sir!

Li Ba Shan, are you sure
the information is correct?

Shaolin has been destroyed
and Zhi Shan fled?

Teacher, this is absolutely true

A relative of mine just came back
from Guang Dong

He saw a monk who begged alms

claimed that he would rebuild Shaolin
in the South

Good aspiration I'd say,
but it's not that easy

to rebuild the Shaolin Monastery
all by himself

Dao de

Why are you so dejected?

I just returned from the Wen Shu Temple

A general with an imperial appointment

for my teacher, honoring him as

a Taoist Chief

Teacher insisted on turning it down

Wu Chen has no respect for His Majesty

When I tried to persuade him,
he thundered with rage

and said that
if I ever brought this up again

he'll evict me

With your fame and kung fu

you are no worse than teacher

You can earn the title unreservedly

Of course

but so far there's no imperial order

An imperial decree is here

You are Taoist Bai Mei?

It's my honor to meet you today

This is an imperial envoy

General Yue Ying Qi

General Yue

By imperial order

you are appointed as Taoist Chief

Please accept the imperial mandate

On your knees

I accept the imperial order

The imperial mandate reads:

Honouring Priest Bai Mei of Er Mei today,
I decree that

he be named as Head of Taoism

and spiritual leader

Dao de, what's the time now?

It's already the fifth watch,
please take your medicine

Is there any news from Zhi Shan?

I hear he's gone south

to rebuild the Shaolin Monastery

Since he has the will,

he will succeed

Go and rest

Yes!

The medicine...

You...

Teacher...

Why have you done this?

I'm under imperial order
to suppress the rebels

Teacher!

Wu Mei, go down south and find Zhi Shan

Rush to Guang Dong
to capture Zhi Shan alive

Hold it there!

If you want money, just take it

but don't hurt anyone

Let's go!

Silence him

Go away!

Let's go...

Thanks for your help

Fate has brought us together again

My home is just three miles from here

Please go there to have a rest

Thank you!

Please...

Sir, your kung fu is great

The best in Guang Dong

Of course

Uncle!

Jin Lun, since you like martial arts

I've invited a Shaolin martial artist here

Go and meet him in the sitting room

Uncle, in the martial arts world

many claim to be Shaolin kung fu experts

but they are mere imposters

Don't be taken in

How can you say such things?

When I was robbed on the road

he rescued me

You are naive

How do you know
he wasn't their accomplice?

Ah Fu!

Yes!

Bring the monk here

and I'll teach him a lesson

to see if he dares to cheat any more

Hurry and go!

Yes!

Jin Lun, you...

Sir, Master is here

Please!

Master!

Master... please

Let me introduce,
this is my nephew Jin Lun

Monk, did you knock down

several robbers on the road?

Yes!

So you also know kung fu

Only a smattering of it

Monk, how should one start
when learning kung fu?

One should start with breath control;

However, a young and
impulsive youth like you

should start with taking stances

That is the basis of all kung fu

Master, have a seat!

Thank you, sir.
But my sole purpose here is

to raise funds for rebuilding Shaolin

If you can sit firmly, we'll offer half of

our 20 silk shops in Guang Zhou

Deal

Deal

Hurry

Young Master...

Teacher, if you agree to take me
as your student

I'd rather give you all the 20 silk shops

Half is enough

Have you done what I've instructed you?

Don't worry!

Don't lie to me

They say, Master Zhi Shan

is an expert in kung fu

Master Zhi Shan's kung fu is fascinating

My nephew Jin Lun used to be haughty

But now

He has been totally overwhelmed by Master

You are too naive

to have given away
ten silk shops like that

In case he's a worldly monk

you'll have made a fool of yourself!

He's from Shaolin Monastery

It's impossible

I've got ways to find out

by testing him

If you find out he's honorable
you ought to

contribute more to
rebuild the Shaolin Monastery

No problem... everyone

We are all willing to contribute

but you can't let him know now

Of course

Good, deal

Bring the monk to my home tomorrow

I've an idea

Come... let me introduce

This is my good friend

He's Ling Ho,
a rich merchant from Guang Zhou

Meet Master Zhi Shan of Shaolin

An honour indeed to have you here

My mother maintains
quite close ties with Buddha

When she heard that
Master is in Guang Zhou

she insisted on your staying here
for a few days

and performing praying for her,
if it's okay with you

Since you are devout, I must accept

Great. Ah Gui

prepare some vegetarian food for Master

Yes!

Master, please come with me to the shrine

Yes!

Please!

This way!

Hurry... put it down, hurry

Lift it up!

Miss Jinbao, Master is waiting for you

Follow me!

She's here!

Masters, sorry to keep you waiting

Jinbao, remember what I've told you

Don't worry, unless he isn't a man

I'll make him yield to my temptation

even if he's a Buddha

We'll count on you. Make good preparations

Just count on me

Master, please!

You must tired, please take a rest

Thank you!

Help! Help! Master, help!

Who is it?

Help!

Miss, what happened?

My stomach ache recurs,

it can only be cured by a man's belly

pressed against mine

Master, please help me!

How can there be such a disease?

It's not appropriate for you to stay here

It really hurts!

You are a monk, you should be merciful

How can you not help me? It hurts!

If you don't go away, I'll leave

Wait!

Thanks for your help

A small token of my appreciation

Madam

I saw this monk last night

he was really unmoved by beauty

but his greed got the better of him

Jinbao left a bag ofjewels last night

and he kept it

This shows he is not too respectable

Don't blame him. A monk is also human

Coveting small gains is inevitable

Right!

Were it you or me,
we mightn't even have been able to

resist Jinbao too, not to mention

the lure of money

Correct

Sir, Master is here

Please!

Good morning!

I picked this bag up
in the backyard last night

it contains valuable jewellery

It must be yours, so
I have come to return it

I admire you for not being greedy

but a monk shouldn't lie

You said you picked this up
from the backyard

I fear that's not the whole truth

You've reprimanded me well,

but as the origin of the jewelry
is questionable,

I'd rather not reveal the truth

or it may ruin someone's reputation

I'll take my leave

Master, wait

Your noble character is commendable

I'll contribute my share

for the rebuilding of
the Shaolin Monastery

What about you, gentlemen?

I've two mountains in Fujin

best suited for
building the Shaolin Monastery

You can take one

I'll donate half of
my profit in my business

for your disposal

I have 300 acres farmland

I'll donate them to Master

Thank you all!

Get lost!

Come out

Priest, what do you mean by this?

I just want some donation

No problem. Give him twenty coppers

Bull shit

Keep it for a beggar!

Then how much do you want?

I heard you promised

a Shaolin monk

that all your money would be given
for his disposal

Is it true?

I don't want much

Just fill up this tripod with silver

and I'll leave

Get lost!

Go in and get the silver

Listen, I'll sleep before the door

and whoever approaches, gets it

Priest

Scram!

Excuse me, it's him

May I know your Buddhist name please?

I'm here to solicit offerings. Go away

This is not solicitation, it's blackmail

So what?

How is Wu Chen related to you?

I don't know him

How are you related to Bai Mei?

None of your business

Thank you Master!

Please come to Jing Chan Temple for a chat

Sister

Brother Zhi Shan

So you too have come to Guang Zhou

I saw what happened just now

That crook is called Lee Ba Shan

a student of Bai Mei

Bai Mei defected to the Qing regime
and killed teacher

Now they are after you

Master Wu Chen is killed!

I'll stay here for the time being

come to me if need be

How are you getting on with fund raising?

Guang Dong people are charitable

I have got enough money

I got a mountain site too

But I'd like to get more supporters

before going to Fujin
to build the Monastery

Make way, let me handle it

Try harder...

Make way

Where's that monk?

That way, to the south suburbs

Let's go!

Mr Lin, your knife is ready

Good! Gong Qian Jin, you are not bad

Thank you!

Don't mention it

Mr Lin, thirty coppers for it

Alright... thirty coppers

Give it to me!

I'm sorry, business isn't good

I will pay you tomorrow

No...

I won't be here tomorrow,
you must pay today

Well, I'll give you a piece of pork

Sauteed meat to go with wine

Alright! Give it to me

Gong Qian Jin, it's worth seventy coppers

I owe you thirty

Give me the change for forty coppers

I won't have it even for seven coppers

Take it back! And pay me back thirty

Did you see our rule here?

For goods once sold, there'll be no refund

You've taken the meat, give me the change

Damn you, pay me!

Are you paying or not?

Great, you've torn my clothes

My clothes are worth eighty coppers

So you have to pay me 110

Trying to evade payment?

How is it? Not bad

My pig's feet are not bad either

Are you trying to ruin my chances?

Are you blind?

This is the toilet

not a place for fighting

Smells good?

It stinks!

You bastard, don't run!

You two are good at kung fu

Don't hurt each other

for anger at the spur of the moment

You know nothing, monk

Go away!

Punches and kicks have no eyes

we don't want to hurt you

Damn monk, beat him up!

Butcher, we should fight him

Why are you hitting me?

The damn monk was behind us

Can't move any more?

Not bad

Don't move!

You are so obedient

I can take you as my students

Damn monk, I'll teach you a lesson

Beat him up

Teacher!

Teacher! I'm looking for you everywhere

Who did you fight with?

A priest with white eyebrows

He hit me with a duster

Priest Bai Mei

He has come to Guang Dong!

Seems he is making trouble here!

Let's go back first

Let's go and beg him to teach us kung fu

Right

Follow him!

Teacher!

Teacher!

Leave...

The magistrate is here

Greetings to Your Honour

Everyone please be seated

Anything we can do for you, sir?

You are all business magnates
in Guang Dong

and are well respected

But I can't cover up
any rebellion among you

Your Honour, what do you mean by this?

Are you keeping a Shaolin monk

at your home?

Our family are devout Buddhists

It's no surprise that
there are monks staying with us

Did you donate
half of your assets to that monk

to rebuild the Shaolin Monastery?

Charity is part of our humanity

If you hand over that monk to the Court

you'll get a title, what do you think?

I can't, I'm leaving

Mr Li

You'll be killed for
providing shelter to a rebel

You must hand over Zhi Shan in three days

or else you'll all be like him

Open the door! Jin Lun!

Open the door! Open up!

Uncle Wang, what's going on?

Jin Lun,
your uncle has already been killed by

Yue Ying Qi who was sent by the Court

The troops will be here anytime,
you'd better run!

Teacher! Hurry and leave!

You leave with Mr Wang first

Alright! Go!

This is the monk, capture him

Let's go!

Go and find Hong Xi Guan

Buy a casserole!

Sir, buy a casserole!

Hong Xi Guan, come over...

What is it? Why are you so nervous?

Li Jin Lun's home was sealed

Where could

Jin Lun and Master Zhi Shan be?

I want to fight with that monk and he left

Gui Jue Qi, come here!

Go and gather information

about them

We'll be at the Min Xiang Teahouse, go

Yes!

You wait for me at the Min Xiang Teahouse

I'll be there after I've packed up

Alright! Go!

Everyone, I'm sorry, I'm closing up

I am so sorry

Gui Jue Qi, hurry!

He's coming!

What is it?

What news have you got?

Li Jin Lun's uncle was killed by the Court

There's no trace of Zhi Shan and Jin Lun

Li Jin Lun is our brother

We can't stand by without helping him

Master Zhi Shan is wanted by the Court

We as his students
can't wash our hands off the matter

Zhi Shan is your teacher,
but I'm not convinced

I must fight with him

A monk won't count for much

I can break his ribs right away

Brother! Let me warn you

If you want to fight with my teacher

you'd better be prepared to suffer

We are not afraid

Let's split up and find out

and contact each other if there's any news

Don't go

I've no money today

who pays the bill?

None of our business, let's go

You're in bad luck!

Master Zhi Shan

When you have settled down

please let me know

I will, no need to see me off, goodbye!

Zhi Shan, you are hiding here

You've killed Master Wu Chen

Aren't you ashamed?

To kill rebels is a common thing

in the martial arts world,
what's the big deal?

That's exactly what I intend to do

Let's go!

This is the home of
my good friend Hong Xi Guan

He's a casserole vendor in town

Stay here to recuperate,
no one will find out

Take Sister Wu Mei inside and have a rest

After taking the herbs,

she'll recuperate soon

Does your friend practise kung fu also?

Yes, he's been practising the post

for three years

He has mastered the light skill

One with his perseverance must be good

I may recruit him in rebuilding
the Shaolin Monastery

But he's one of those
who think highly of themselves

and it's not easy to convince him

Alright, I'd like to test him
when he's back

Seeing is believing

You are Master Zhi Shan?

Yes, I am

He's my good friend

I've long heard of your excellent kung fu

I'd like to spar with you

I'm only a rowdy. Don't be pedantic

I never depart from punches and kicks

Great, we have much in common

In that case

could we have a match at the posts

Whoever falls

will have to kowtow three times

and greet the other as 'teacher'

Deal

Yes, it's a deal, please!

Wait!

Your posts are fixed

I'm not used to it

Let me hold up a few special ones

What do you think?

As you please

Casserole posts

Come up!

Great!

You're not bad with the fixed posts

but you need to practice on movable ones

Master, I have never in my life

kowtowed to anyone

Now... I

Arise...

Hong Xi Guan!

Master, I admit defeat

Please take me as your student

Hong Xi Guan, we have now become brothers

From now on, we are family

Teacher

Just now we saw a Tibetan Lama

drinking with several Qing officials

It's heard that
this lama came from the capital

with orders to capture you alive

Jin Lun, you hide with your teacher here

We'll go and find out

what kind of Hercules

this lama is!

Let's go!

Sir, please! Have a seat here!

Just sit here

Sit...

Over there, that's him

Ah Zhing, I think this monk

is quite good in kung fu

I'm only afraid of his staff

You cope with him, I'll go out for a while

The wine is here

What did you say to the lama?

I know the lama since from Tibet

Of course I was speaking to him in Tibetan

It seems that he didn't understand
what you said

Of course he did

Take it

This lama is terrific

Keep fighting with him

Double kicks, Three stars with the Moon

Gin Wa kick

Damn you, want to attack my behind?

Cannon Position. HeartPiercing Leopard

Carrying the sedan

The troops are here, run!

Lama

Where do you think these rogues are from?

They are riffraff

with uncouth skills

They are a disorganized gang

I think Zhi Shan's students did this

Magistrate!

Yes!

Enforce martial law and search
every household

We must trace Zhi Shan by all means!

Yes! Yes!

Come in at once!

Everything is now ready

Shaolin Monastery must be rebuilt
in three months' time

therefore we must go to Fujin
as soon as possible

But Bai Mei has ordered a curfew

It's hard for us

to get out of Guang Zhou

Where there is a will, there is a way

Make all the necessary preparations today

we'll charge out of the city tomorrow

Your Honour!

Stand still!

Open the coffin!

Attack!

Let's go

Run! Hurry and run!

Teacher, sea and land routes both
in Guang Zhou

are heavily guarded,
don't go out in the open

You'd better hide beside the pier ahead

We'll try and find a boat

When we have found one, we'll contact you

Alright!

Go!

There's no boat anywhere,
what should we do?

Let's split up to find one

Alright!

It was this priest!

Great

I'm sure the six of us can get rid of him

Dao de, capture him!

Yes!

He's practised Golden Armour before,
everyone watch out

Attack!

I have practised the Golden Armour

all my pressure points are closed

Zhi Shan, you must remember

There are six critical pressure points
in a human body

that cannot be totally closed

even with protection of the Golden Armour;

There must be at least one vulnerable spot

Sail it over here

Teacher!

A boat is coming, Teacher!

Sail it over

Come on...