Temptation of a Monk

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Temptation of a Monk

1993

1h 58m

Action

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4 Reviews

62%

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100+ Ratings

In this period Chinese drama, Gen. Shi Yan-sheng (Wu Hsin-kuo) must go into hiding when the crown prince is killed and one of his ruthless and ambitious brothers assumes power. Taking shelter in an old monastery, the general meets an elderly monk (Michael Lee) who offers advice rooted in Buddhist teachings. Eventually, a beautiful woman (Joan Chen) arrives in an attempt to seduce the former warrior and sway him into submission. Will the general fall in the face of temptation?

Joey O'Bryan

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 4/5

Jan 1, 2000

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Visually sparkling as a period piece costume epic, but it emotionally fails to grab me.

Rated: C+

Aug 31, 2011

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Jul 4, 2005

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James Berardinelli

ReelViews

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Audience Member

Adapted from a Lillian Lee novel by the same name, a Tang era general (Wu Hsing Guo making his feature film debut) renounces war and the woman he loves (Sino-Hollywood actress Joan Chen) after fleeing to a monastery where he accepts Buddhist dogma and begins to confront the soul simmering inside him. Boring has never been so beautiful looking and love making never so listless. Lee shares screenwriting credit with Eddie Fong whose wife Clara Law directs.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

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Audience Member

Weighs up just the right amount of comedy, seriousness and action to deliver a solid, well-rounded movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

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Audience Member

Loved this portrayal of a soldier shamed and wrestling with himself hiding out in a monastery.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

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Audience Member

Brutal, visually spectacular story of a warrior who becomes a monk. A little too violent for my taste although there are some funny moments.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

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Clara Law

Director

Joan Chen

Princess Hong-e - Scarlet

Wu Hsin-kuo

General Shi Yan-sheng

Fengyi Zhang

General Huo Da

Michael Lee

Actor

Lisa Lu

Shi's Mother

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Synopsis

In this period Chinese drama, Gen. Shi Yan-sheng (Wu Hsin-kuo) must go into hiding when the crown prince is killed and one of his ruthless and ambitious brothers assumes power. Taking shelter in an old monastery, the general meets an elderly monk (Michael Lee) who offers advice rooted in Buddhist teachings. Eventually, a beautiful woman (Joan Chen) arrives in an attempt to seduce the former warrior and sway him into submission. Will the general fall in the face of temptation?

Director: Clara Law
Producer: Teddy Robin Kwan
Genre: Action
Original Language: Chinese
Runtime: 1h 58m
Sound Mix: Surround