Temptation of a Monk (1993)★ 6.4/10

HK · 118 min · September 8, 1993

• Action
• Adventure
• Drama
• Romance

Directed by: Clara Law

Written by: Eddie Ling-Ching Fong, Pik-Wah Lee

Near the beginning of the Tang dynasty, in 7th century China, General Shi Yan-sheng is tricked into leaving the crown prince unguarded. The crown prince is murdered by one of his brothers who then becomes emperor. Shi retreats to a monastery, perhaps to hide, perhaps to plan a coup. When his loyal troops as well as the princess he desires are slain, he seeks refuge in a remote, abandoned monastery where an aged abbot schools him with practical, earthy teachings. The emperor's forces pursue Shi: first a woman, then a general seek to overpower him with lust and might. Over the course of the film, the reds of battle give way to blues of meditation.