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      Temptation of a Monk

      1993 1h 58m Action List
      Reviews 62% Audience Score 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? Read More Read Less

      Critics Reviews

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      James Berardinelli ReelViews Rated: 2.5/4 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Joey O'Bryan Austin Chronicle Rated: 4/5 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review 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 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 3/5 Jul 4, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Movie Info

      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
      Kay Wong
      Genre
      Action
      Original Language
      Chinese
      Runtime
      1h 58m
      Sound Mix
      Surround