Original subtitles

"While the young Republic is in danger of being invaded by foreign powers,"

"turf wars rage among warlords, creating purgatories as her own people suffer... "

"City of Tengfeng, Henan, China"

Buddha be praised.

Buddha be praised.

He's alive!

Hang in there!

Hang in there!

Kill them!

Chase them! Hurry!

Kill them all!

Chase them!

- No hurry. - Here.

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you

Another 200 refugees just arrived.

Winter is almost upon us,

Put up more tents before it snows.

We have run out of materials.

I've nothing to build them with.

Let's move them into our quarters, then.

I really hate the cold.

Buns are getting smaller each day.

I wouldn't worry about the cold.

Starvation would have killed us

long before winter arrives!

"Shaolin Temple"

Hurry up!

Get away!

Search them!

Get out!

Hurry up!

Get out!

Get out!

Get out!

Don't block! Search them!

Stop.

Stay out!

Halt!

Dismount!

Dismount

"The Birthplace of Martial Arts"

Help Abbot!

Sir

Help me...

Stupid monks!

I'll kill anyone who harbours our enemies.

I don't care who you are! Show respect!

Come on!

Hey!

Stop helping him or I'll kill you.

He's lost too much blood.

Get some medicine.

Yes, Abbot.

General Hou is here!

They greet you with Shaolin martial arts.

It's impudent to draw your gun.

General.

- Sir, don't move. - Nor you, Abbot.

Don't bother.

He is doomed. Don't waste your time.

Buddha be praised.

Buddha offers sanctuary to all,

even one on his very last breath.

I must help.

Please show compassion.

No more killing, please.

I can't rest until he dies.

A fearless heart is free of desire,

a kind heart finds peace everywhere.

Peace?

You've holed up in this temple far too long.

If he lives, the war goes on.

How can we find peace?

Hou Chieh.

I concede.

Tengfeng is yours.

I won't fight with you

I'll give you everything!

Here...

a treasure map

Take it.

Just spare my life...

I promise I won't return.

Thank you.

Abbot...

Sir!

On guard!

Stand down!

We come with joy, depart with sorrow,

to wander among mankind;

Without coming or going,

we cause no joy or sorrow.

Buddha be praised.

Go!

"The Birthplace of Martial Arts is no big deal. "

Please meet the foreigners tomorrow.

Why?

We can buy more guns and cannons.

Let's take Chengchou City, too.

Guns are no good unless you use them.

Why didn't you shoot in the temple?

Compassion?

Remember,

when you gain upper hand,

you'll die if you hesitate too long.

Next time,

whoever stands in your way,

I'll kill them all!

Remember that!

Here comes Sung.

"General Sung" to you!

General Sung.

This bastard went AWOL during battle.

But first to show when sharing the spoils.

Brother, Tengfeng is ours.

Huo is dead.

All this fuss,

just for that Huo?

I even thought it's your funeral.

We lost hundreds of men.

So?

You want me to pay?

You felt abandoned when I didn't show up?

If I hadn't injured my leg,

I could have taken Huo single-handedly.

Isn't that right, Brother?

Of course!

I feel sad about my dead comrades...

You only care about Tengfeng!

Madam Hou, it's been a while.

Sir

Nan, my darling!

Greet Uncle Sung.

Hello, Uncle Sung.

Good girl.

She has become so smart,

and gorgeous, too.

I can't let someone else take her.

Our children should marry. It's decided.

They are still young.

Can't we wait a little longer?

It's just an arranged marriage.

If you decline,

we can wage war over this!

Great!

Awesome!

A fully-automatic Gatling gun.

No one else has them.

I'll take 80, Your price?

You can have them for free.

Just let us build a railroad near Tengfeng.

What? I can't hear you

I said, they're free.

Just say yes to our railroad plans.

Forget the guns.

General?

I don't want them!

Fine, we'll go to General Sung

I'm sure he'd love these.

Sir Peter, please wait.

These are really good guns.

If Sung is armed with them...

- Show the guests out. - Yes!

This way.

You just don't get the drift.

Talking to me this way?

Not until our roles are reversed!

Understand?

Did you hear me?

They want to take away our livelihood!

Endorsing their plans for a railroad...

is like leaving our doors open,

for outsiders to ransack our home.

China belongs to the Chinese!

If foreigners want a piece of it...

I'll hack their hands off!

I hope Sung feels the same way.

Have I been talking to a brick wall?

Sung's my only sworn brother.

Don't speak ill of him.

You should never speak out of turn.

But what you said made sense.

Set up a dinner with Sung.

I'm dizzy.

What are you chewing?

Cake.

Cake?

Now I'm eating noodles.

Hunger has driven you mad!

It's "nourishment through meditation".

Meditate as much as you want.

We're out of rice.

People will starve!

In past famines, government distributed food.

Or people were fed by some fabled outlaws.

But now we only have wicked warlords.

Why don't we become outlaws?

What?

Yes, benevolent outlaws!

But it violates our precepts!

So?

Senior Brother will bail us out.

He's very righteous, isn't he?

Of course!

Of course!

Miss, don't run!

Nan!

Miss, Get up

Miss, are you hurt?

Are you alright?

You're supposed to look after her.

How could you let her fall?

- I'm sorry, sir... - Damn you!

- I'm sorry... - Daddy...

I'm fine. Don't be mad at Nanny.

I misbehaved.

I'm very sorry, sir.

Get out...

Does it hurt?

No.

Let me take a look.

I drew this for you.

"Daddy loves to fight!"

This is me?

Boss.

Hold it. Give it back later,

or I'll spank you!

Let's go.

I handed General Sung your invitation.

He was delighted.

Tomorrow night, Hill Restaurant

General and Madam Sung will attend

With their son.

Let me ask you this.

Sung knows I have Huo's hoard.

Why doesn't he ask about it?

He wants it all,

Including what's mine.

It's never wrong to strike first.

This is a great chance.

Listen.

Take 30 crack soldiers to the restaurant.

I can't rest until he dies.

Brilliant.

You want to kill Sung?

What's your problem?

Are you sure about this?

He wants to wipe me out.

You have a better suggestion?

You'd better tell me now.

Don't ask me, I don't know.

Just promise me...

Never kill in front of Nan.

Please?

Damn it!

So we steal flour as well as rice?

We don't "steal". We just "take".

How much do we "take"?

Does it matter?

Take what we can.

Ching-hai.

Fabled outlaws always leave a marker.

What shall we leave?

How about your bald head?

You...

- Get up. - Is this rice?

Get up! It's rice!

Rice!

- Thank heavens! - We have rice!

My Goddess of Mercy!

What happened?

Take a look.

When I slap the tabletop...

take Nan to the toilet.

Why do I have to go to toilet during dinner?

Do as I say. I promise I'll never fight again.

This way, please.

Brother,

Madam.

- Greetings. - You're late again.

My sincere apologies.

- Say hello! - Hello, Uncle Sung! Auntie!

Son, say hello too.

Uncle!

Auntie!

Goodboy.

My generals...

Young Master Sung was born a Rabbit,

and young Miss Hou a Ram.

A perfect match!

Their birthdays and birth signs

compliment each other.

A heavenly couple!

This marriage will bring great riches

and a long and happy life,

with many offspring!

Well said!

To us Buddhists, affinity is karma,

without which we'd never meet.

I think this young couple

Is destined to be together.

What are we waiting for? Proposal...

What's the hurry?

I can't wait.

If we miss out on this daughter-in-law,

where would I find another?

Once you exchange proposals,

this marriage is set.

It's done!

Come!

Congratulations!

I'll go and bring the gifts.

Now that we're family,

I'll not mince words.

Go ahead.

The Tengfeng that you captured,

how should we carve it up?

Tell me.

Didn't we agree on equal shares?

It's all yours!

From now on, there's no need to share.

You can have it all.

Then there will be peace.

What do you mean?

I'm getting old.

I can't fight any more.

Look, I am even a cripple.

It's time for me to quit.

Since we're now in-laws,

what I let you take,

you'll one day leave to my son!

I have had this all worked out!

I've kept this bottle for years,

never had a chance to drink it.

Come, let's toast.

To our deal!

A confidential note, sir!

Son, do you need to pee?

No.

Be good, go with your mother.

Madam, take Nan, too.

Let's go.

Run!

- Captain Wang. - Yes, sir!

You go, too.

Yes, sir

"Beware of Hou Chieh's ambush!"

You...

You bastard!

I treated you as my own brother.

We went through hell together.

- Can this be true? - That's enough!

Run...

Run!

Run!

Mama, I'm scared!

Hurry, hurry...!

Run!

Mama...

Mama...

Run, Nan, run!

- Mama... - Don't worry about me!

Run!

Nan!

Hide quickly!

Nan...

General!

Give chase!

Don't let him escape!

Mama...

Nan!

Stop!

Run, General!

Nan!

Nan!

Daddy...

Over there!

Daddy...

Daddy...

Nan!

Nan!

Help!

- Help! Abbot, please help... - Sir...

Please stop.

Abbot!

Help, Abbot!

Abbot, help her please!

Help her!

Out of the way!

- Needles, ointment and hot water! - Yes, sir!

Help her, Abbot...

Nan...

Hang in there, you'll be fine...

Abbot will save you.

Madam!

- Nan... - Easy, Madam! You haven't recovered.

Madam!

Nan...

My darling girl, hang in there...

- Nan... - Hold her.

Hang on

What happened to her?

Talk to Daddy...

Say something to me...

Don't be afraid. Abbot will save you...

Why did you stop?

Why aren't you treating her?

Is it because of my deeds?

She has nothing to do with my killings.

Don't punish her!

Daddy...

I'm fine. Don't yell at them...

Don't be mad.

- I won't... - Nan...

I won't be mad at them...

Please...

Nan!

- Please save her... - Nan!

- Mama... - Nan...

- They say she'll be fine... - Nan!

She's going to live.

Mama, I missed you...

Let's go home...

Daddy don't be mad...

- Hang in there, Nan. - Mama will take you home.

She's all I have...

Please help her. I beg you!

Wake up, Nan...

Nan...

Don't you want to go home with me?

Nan...

- I beg you to save her! - Nan...

Nan!

Nan...

Say something to Daddy...

- She's fine... - Out of the way!

Nan!

Wake up, Nan...

Nan is not going to die...

- Nan! - I can't live without you...

Cleanse her body, Chinghai.

Yes!

Abbot, she's still alive!

Please help her, I beg you...

I beg you,

Please, help her...

Please show sympathy...

Only you can save her, Abbot!

She mustn't die! I'm warning you...

If my daughter dies,

you'll all die with her!

- Please help her... - That's enough!

Buddha be praised.

Can't you see? This is your retribution.

It's your fault!

She isn't dead!

I regret...

She really is alive!

If it wasn't you... My daughter won't die!

I won't let her die!

- Look, - I swear,

- My daughter die... - I won't let her die!

- She's dead! - My Nan isn't going to die!

Damn you!

We have killed you...

Nan...

- It's my fault! - She's dead.

She's dead.

She's dead, are you happy now?

You're faking compassion!

You refused to save her...

Are you daring me to kill monks?

I'll start with you, old man!

- Sir... - Let me go!

Sir...

- I'll kill you! - Form!

I'll kill you!

I'll kill all of you monks!

I'll kill you!

To leave or to stay in Shaolin...

To leave or stay...

To leave or stay...

To leave...

or stay...

To leave or stay...

To leave...

That one doesn't count.

To leave or stay...

To leave or stay...

Anyone there?

I hunt a boar, but caught a man!

What has happened to you?

I know you, you're Hou Chieh.

You still want to kill?

Men when muddled are worse than pigs!

Rest well while you're down there.

Stop howling, though.

Time to come to your senses.

Buddha be praised.

"WANTED"

"for treason and murder. A $50, 000 bounty. "

Eat some.

Careful, it's hot.

Don't choke yourself.

Why?

Why?

Your wife has left Shaolin

without arranging your daughter's funeral.

Burial or cremation?

Abbot said to ask.

You can visit her grave if it's burial.

Since you don't live in Shaolin,

it can be inconvenient.

Cremation is a lot simpler.

At least you could take her with you

and keep her company wherever you go.

What do you think?

If you choose cremation, go light the bonfire.

Burn these!

Fire!

You will die for your beliefs?

I'll rejoin Boss in the netherworld!

Fire!

When you're down and out,

Boss saved your life.

Is this how...

you show your gratitude?

Gratitude?

He didn't save me. He exploited me.

He knows my strength. He needed me.

I killed the most men in every battle.

I helped him take all his land.

Know why I got rid of him?

You live if you answer correctly.

It's because...

you're a dog!

Wrong.

Fear has caught up with him!

Once he loses his nerve, he's gone.

He got what he deserved.

My time has come!

Understand?

"Daddy likes to fight!"

It's chaos! There are mass arrests.

Doesn't matter who turns you in.

I've cooked for you, too.

Perhaps...

I deserve the $50, 000!

"Bounty: $100, 000. "

When did it become $100, 000?

Just teasing you.

I won't betray Shaolin's principles.

What's next for you?

I want to stay.

This is not your home.

What?

Are you angry with me?

Or with yourself?

Need some help?

- Senior Brother! - Senior Brother!

Our kitchen is over-stocked with rice!

What happened?

Rice?

It must be a miracle!

Buddha be praised.

Please consult Buddha

about last night's

masked marauders.

Masked marauders?

How come?

They've come to steal our rice.

No, they brought stolen rice.

Thieves will be punished after morning prayers!

Yes, Senior Brother!

What is he doing?

It's you again!

What do you want?

Buddha be praised.

Abbot!

Abbot, I wish to stay here.

It's not up to you.

You're a wanted man.

You just want to seek sanctuary.

I want to be a monk.

Shaolin is not a battlefield. It's not your decision.

Go back to where you belong.

Doesn't Buddha guide those who come?

Not you.

Abbot!

You can tame his body, but not his spirit.

He's a warlord. He is sinful!

He'd only sully our Shaolin Temple.

Every being carries Buddha's spirit.

We shouldn't discriminate.

All teachings are void but for karma.

There's hatred in him. He'll never attain zen.

You're right.

But we mustn't close our doors on Buddha,

nor can we.

Afflictions lead to wisdom. If he's confused...

he may be close to enlightenment.

Let him stay for now.

You've been assigned to me again.

Go out now.

It's better to remain here.

Outside, it's either kill or be killed.

Wait outside.

It's cold. Put this on.

- Morning! - Morning!

Out of the way...

Here's the buns...

Line up, everyone...

Over there.

The Buns are hot. Be careful!

Thank you.

Was that so hard?

No.

Don't worry, there's plenty.

Fists should be fast as lightnings!

Train in its Way.

Move in its cycle.

Dance in its passion.

Learn its wonder.

Awaken in its spirit.

Bring me the serving tub.

Sure.

Uncle Wudao,

What?

Were you trained...

in martial arts?

Martial arts?

Yes, ages ago for a couple of years.

But like you, my heart was impure.

So I became a cook.

We should learn from Dharma.

He meditated...

by facing a wall for 9 years.

He trained his spirit, never fought.

There is wisdom all over him.

Even his hair is wiser than us.

That state of mind is Martial Zen!

Train with us.

Fists to heart!

Elbows to knees!

Shoulders to groin!

Heart to mind!

Mind to breath!

Breath to strength!

Train in its Way!

Move in its cycle!

Dance in its passion!

Learn its wonder!

Awaken in its spirit!

Keep it up, Brothers

I used to be able to do that.

Keep it up, Senior Brothers

Thanks.

Thanks

Press his meridian.

You'll be fine

Go

Here.

It's so cold, why are you still training?

I train because of the cold.

Aren't you cold?

A little...

Then train with me.

Sure.

Abbot, how do you rate him?

His moves come from his heart.

They are so free.

Through martial zen, he has released his hatred.

I don't do martial arts. It's beyond me...

Cooking is also a way to enlightenment.

Same principle.

Life is an accumulation of experiences.

I have often said,

leave the Temple, go see the world!

All I can do is cook.

I'm useless out there.

Forget it.

A piece of gold, a pile of mud.

Which is more useful?

The gold, of course.

But to a seed?

Never under estimate yourself

Everyone has a purpose.

Tsao, you want us to endorse the railroad.

But it will disrupt our ancestral geomancy

once they start digging up Mount Mang.

Our ancestors won't allow it!

I'm fine if they're really building a railroad.

But I'm worried about these foreigners.

Perhaps they have hidden agenda.

How you managed to get rid of Hou

is none of our business.

Hou said the railroad was only an excuse.

Foreigners are really after our land.

That's enough.

The fate of our province shouldn't be decided by one man.

Tsao has already done deals with the foreigners.

He never intends to listen to us.

Let's go!

Like I said, there's no point...

in opposing me.

He's lucky! His family will...

suffer even worse!

Be my friend or foe...

It's your choice.

I promise you...

when I make money, we all profit.

He hasn't come home. I'm so worried...

Please don't cry.

He's still not home. What shall I do?

Crying doesn't help.

What happened?

My son hasn't been home for weeks.

What can I do?

Building railroads for Tsao?

- Work harder! - Dig!

- Deeper! - Go to hell!

Back to work, now!

Hurry!

You're too slow.

Hurry!

Go to hell!

Hurry! Deeper!

Deeper!

Work!

Who's there?

Why are all those men killed?

General Hou?

Why did you have to kill them?

We're under Tsao's order.

Go!

Go!

Hou Chieh is alive!

Run!

Tsao hired us to build railroads

but made us dig up relics instead.

The relics are given to foreigners,

in return for guns and ammunition.

Tsao keeps it secret by killing us.

Others are still trapped at his house

They'll be killed by tomorrow.

Buddha be praised.

Go home.

Let's go.

- Da Niu... - What is this?

My son...

What is this?

All negative deeds

are done for greed.

Carried out by our actions,

I now repent before Buddha.

From evil comes afflictions,

Enough!

with justice they are gone.

Nan!

If neither are there,

If not for you, our daughter would be alive!

you're so purified nothing remains.

Understanding how to let go,

is knowing how to confront all.

From now, follow the three principles:

Buddha for enlightenment,

Dharma for teachings,

and Sanghi for community.

Your religious name is Chingchueh.

Buddha be praised.

Buddha be praised.

Capture Hou alive!

It's Tsao! I'll get him!

Come back!

Sit down!

Stay calm.

Ignore what you're going to see.

Go and distract Tsao's guards at his residence.

Our rescue mission is more vital.

How can you survive this?

If I can trade my life for theirs,

it is well worth it.

Please be careful.

Hold it!

- Hold it! - Hold it!

Buddha be praised.

Please stop your killing.

Evil deeds only bring bad outcomes.

That was for my daughter.

Buddha be praised.

You truly are my Boss.

I knew you won't die so easily.

I missed you to death!

Really?

You can't rest until I die, can you?

Nonsense!

Of course not.

Will you...

Spare me, and Shaolin Temple?

He's doing this to buy us time

so we can rescue the others.

Rashness will only ruin it all.

Understand?

You taught me...

Never hesitate when I gain upper hand.

I learnt well!

Kill me but spare Shaolin.

Suspend the Abbot!

One false move and he dies!

It's fine, Stand down!

Go ahead.

Abbot...

Beautiful.

Make sure to send them to out destination before dawn.

With our armed protection

there won't be any problem.

Be careful!

Let's go!

Get out of the way!

I've made this place a lot nicer.

Get on with it.

If you want to kill me, do it now.

Certainly not.

I beg you for forgiveness!

I want you to lead us once more,

do great deeds and conquer the world.

Look around you.

I made these just for you.

Your throne,

your Imperial robe.

Tsao Man...

Power and wealth really mean so much to you?

Listen. Don't be ignorant as I was.

False compassion!

I was just teasing you.

Still despise me, don't you?

I have a gift for you.

Bring her out!

I found Madam for you.

I kept her alive for your reunion.

Turn around!

I'm so sorry.

I thought I had it all.

I thought I could protect you.

But I'd harmed you instead.

Positions!

Don't shoot...

Ready!

It's on fire!

Guards stay here! Others follow me!

Yes, sir!

Let's go!

Someone had stolen the treasures!

Give chase!

No...

Boss...

Are you crying?

Let her go!

Even your death...

won't satisfy me!

You witnessed your daughter died.

Now I want you to watch your wife drowns.

I'm loving this!

Let her go! Let her go!

I'm now a monk. She's no longer my wife

Let her go!

Tsao Man, please...

She is no longer related to me.

Too bad you're a monk. She's gorgeous.

What a waste.

Let her go!

Shaolin monks took the treasure

and freed the refugees!

Please, let her go...

A bunch of crooked monks!

Kill them both!

Run, Chingchueh!

Go!

Senior Brother!

Leave!

Leave!

Senior Brother!

Senior Brother!

Go!

Leave!

Senior Brother!

Leave!

Senior Brother...

You dare to disobey my order?

Leave!

Leave!

We'll take these men back!

What are you doing?

Go back!

Abbot.

Hey!

Boys, don't force me!

I'm warning you, go back now!

I don't want to shoot children.

Please show compassion, sir.

Let us help Abbot.

A good deed will make you happy.

The Abbot has taught us,

the one who repents is a hero.

Let it be, go home.

Your family is waiting for you.

Ridiculous!

Arrest these rebels!

Buddha be praised.

No! I don't know kung fu...

Stop fighting...

Stop fighting...

Abbot...

Stir-fry them like vegetables!

Tight them up like making noodles!

Well done!

- Are you all right? -Abbot...

Check on the others.

Go.

- What's up? - It's them!

Let's check!

My son! You're home!

Father!

Chingneng didn't sacrifice in vain.

Try to let it go.

Everyone, please pack up.

We're leaving the Temple soon.

I know you're afraid.

I am, too.

No family, no home...

Of course we're afraid.

Buddha be praised.

After spending time with you,

I learnt that Shaolin is paradise

It's also my home.

Shaolin Temple today...

may face destruction.

But the spirit of Shaolin...

Its every flower and leaf,

its beams, pillars, every brick and tile,

will forever live on in us.

Shaolin has taught me...

to be determined and brave.

I wish you all the best.

I beg you, to live your lives well.

Do me a favour.

Yes?

Lead them out of here.

No, I can't...

I've never left the Temple.

I'm scared.

You're afraid?

Look at them.

They need you. They're even more afraid.

Can I really do it?

Alright!

Yes!

Time is of the essence!

Ensure a safe passage for the refugees.

Chingkong, leave with the Abbot.

Chinghai, I'll join you later.

I'll teach them a lesson!

You bastards want to destroy my temple?

I'll lead you to your netherworld.

Tsao, what do you want?

You possess far more than you need.

Let it be.

No need to destroy it all.

We must be ruthless in time of war.

Don't be like me,

filled with remorse after erring.

A good ruler knows benevolence.

Can we stop fighting?

What do you think?

I lose.

They took my treasure.

We need to cut our losses.

We cannot allow news of what has happened to leak out!

Kill! Every one in there!

Fire!

Shaolin Temple...

Don't tamper with Shaolin Temple!

Buddha be praised.

Abbot, my daughter is missing...

Don't!

- Stay! - Mama...

- Mama... - It's dangerous!

It's dangerous!

Hurry!

Quick!

- Chinghai! - Senior Brother!

Senior Brother...

Chinghai!

Senior Brother!

Chinghai...

Buddha be praised.

Senior Brother...

I'll stay behind! Take them away!

Abbot!

Call it a day.

Give me your hand!

Buddha be praised.

Evil is born from the heart.

Repent.

Master Uncle...

The temple is no more...

No, Shaolin Temple is always in us.

It can never be destroyed.

Life is about affinity.

Follow affinity and live freely.

Come.

Let her keep you company.

You're not leaving?

Tsao's awful deeds

all began with me.

I must stay and help him repent.

You've really changed.

I know...

We can never be together again.

But...

I really like you as you are.