Return to the 36th Chamber is a classic kung-fu movie directed by Lau Kar-leung and released in 1980. It stars Gordon Liu in the lead role as a young actor who takes on the challenge of becoming a kung-fu master to help the workers at a dye factory.
The film opens with the workers at the factory protesting against their pay cut, but the owner remains indifferent to their plight. In desperation, they approach a local theater group for help, and the actor (played by Gordon Liu) agrees to impersonate a Shaolin priest who can teach them kung-fu to fight off the Manchu thugs.
The actor's plan is thwarted by the factory owner, who sees through his disguise and has him beaten and humiliated in front of the workers. Determined to make things right, the actor decides to embark on a journey to Shaolin Temple to learn the authentic ways of kung-fu and become a true master.
At Shaolin Temple, the actor is initially rejected by the masters, who think he is only interested in fame and fortune. However, through sheer determination and perseverance, he manages to convince them of his sincerity and sets out on a grueling training regimen to become a skilled fighter.
The film has some of Lau Kar-leung's signature choreography and features some memorable fight scenes, including one where Gordon Liu battles his way through a set of increasingly difficult challenges in the 36th Chamber of Shaolin. Return to the 36th Chamber also highlights the plight of workers in Chinese factories, a common theme in kung-fu movies of that time.
In the end, the actor returns to the dye factory and leads the workers in a final battle against the Manchu thugs, using his newfound skills to defeat them and reclaim their rights. The film ends on an uplifting note, with the workers cheering for their hero and the actor proud of his accomplishment in becoming a true kung-fu master.
