I did a search on Shaw Bros movies to find out some titles I should check out (I'm really enjoying my purchase of Five Venoms from so long ago). I noticed that many of the titles suggested were in this box set:

Shaolin Kung Fu Master Collection:

* Martial Arts Of Shaolin
* Disciples Of The 36th Chamber
* The 36th Chamber Of Shaolin
* The Return Of Master Killer
* Executioners From Shaolin
* Shaolin Temple [1976]
* Five Shaolin Masters
* Invincible Pole Fighter

So my question is, is this a good box set? Are all the films remastered versions? Is there any reason not to get this set?

Sorry if this has been discussed before, but a search didn't pull up anything specific to this set.

I have had this thing in my hands several times, and still havent pulled the trigger...Its a nice looking set, just not sure why I havent pick it up yet.

Awesome set. All the titles have been remastered and unless you bought the R3 version of "Venoms", it blows that away (quality-wise). The only downside (depending on how you may look at it) is that they are all in Chinese only with English subs.

If they're the Celestial/IVL releases then you should get them ASAP! If i didn't already have the individual titles, i'd definitely be all over that boxed set myself.

is a super nice set. In fact I want to pick up more Celestial Shaw Kung Fu stuff. any recomendations based on this set? The one I didn't like to much was the jet Li one that was filmed on location besides that one which i did like I loved all the rest.

I got the R3 Venoms when it was first released and loved the quality. I actually prefer the subs instead of bad English dubs. And while the "improved" sound effects are a little annoying, they aren't bad enough to stop me from buying more.

I guess its time to make a purchase.

I think I agree...Dammit, there goes my budget for January.

First off, I noticed your older post recently in the Image Shaw thread in the DVDTalk forum, I apologize for overlooking it back then. As far as suggestions, I'd say you might like "Monkey Kung Fu". The story is a bit on the light side and it doesn't have the biggest stars but it is action-packed with a ton of solid performance-like kung fu. If I remember right it had about 7 fights in the first 40 minutes alone. I think it would make for good replay value because of all the solid fight scenes. The second half tails off a bit but I'd still heartily recommend it (based on my limited viewing experience).

I don't know if you saw one of my old posts from the "return of old school kung fu" thread in this forum but do check out "Heroes of the East" and "The Avenging Eagle" (double-check that they haven't been slated for a R1 release). "The Avenging Eagle" is cut by a minute or so and while regretable because the missing minute features some good fight action during the climax (I watched the missing footage on the 'net) I'd still say go for it.

If you don't mind sacrificing action and are instead looking for a solid piece of cinema then definitely try "Come Drink With Me" (again double-check if a R1 release is coming). Aside: it isn't a Shaws film but I recently watched King Hu's classic "Dragon Inn" (1966) and liked it slightly more than "Come Drink With Me" (and a whole lot more than the remake "New Dragon Inn").

Also "The Duel" (more info. in the "return of old school kung fu" thread) is highly recommended.

I'll also let you know what not to get...."Ten Tigers of Kwang Tung" (one of the more disappointing Shaw films I've watched). It is near the bottom when compared to other films (non-Shaws) which I've watched this month.

Another recommended one is "7-Man Army", not as strong on the kung-fu you might be looking for but with a little suspension of disbelief, it is one I enjoyed (and I am more than a little burned up that the recent "Naval Commandos" is going to be a VCD only release).

Let me know if there is anything you have your eye on in particular and if I have it, I'll give it a spin to let you know what I think (if it matters). I've fallen a bit behind in my Shaws watching and still have to catch up with "Vengeance", "My Young Auntie", and a number of others (including some from the Shaolin collection).

Also, check out this link to Kung Fu Fandom (check the Shaw Brothers forum and at the top is a sticky thread where those folks listed their top Shaw titles.......reading through you will notice many of the same titles popping up on multiple lists):
http://pub3.ezboard.com/bkungfufandom

It's great, I just watched it last night. I also enjoyed "3 Evil Masters". Gonna give "Mad Monkey Kung-Fu" a try tonight.

I'll echo the recommendation for "Heroes of the East"; "Dirty Ho" and "First of the White Lotus" too for Gordon Liu.

I'm a fan of the One armed swordsman movies, offered separately or as a trilogy set: "One Armed Swordsman, Return of the One Armed Swordsman and New One Armed Swordsman". I'm not a big David Chiang fan, but "New" is not bad.

You could also do worse than Water Margin 1 and 2.

You need Fist of the White Lotus, Seven Grand Masters, and Killer Army.

If you want to start a Shaw Brothers collection,
this is the place to start.

I was lucky enough to get this used for about $50,
which was an incredible deal.

Only Shaolin Temple is non-anamorphic, but the rest are 16:9

All the bonus material include English subs too,
interviews with Gordon Liu, Chang Cheh featurette, etc.

thanks everyone for the recomendations. These sound like the type i will like. Also it seems that I like the ones directed by Lau Kar-Leung, any others I should look for. one thing is definately NO FANTASY Wu-xia stuff for me. just couldn't get into it.

Just make sure you get Seven Grand Masters and Fist of the White Lotus. They define the word classic.

Great movie. I own the Celestial disc and love everything about it except the non-anamorphic transfer. It is well worth the money, though.