Kung Fu (1972 TV Series) Available on DVD

[jberryhill]

I freaking loved this series as a kid, and unlike so many "things I liked as a kid which I now realize are bloody awful", this one still holds up.

The acting is a little wooden, but the dual track story of Kwai Chan Cain's education in the Shaolin Temple, and his sojourn in the American West, still works beautifully.

Even if you don't like "martial arts stuff", this is worth a look-see. IMHO, a good chunk of Shanghai Noon was inspired by this series.

[iscooterliberally]

1. I loved this series as a kid too.

I was in 3rd or 4th grade when it came out. I wanted to watch it for the Kung Fu scenes when I was a kid. Little did I know how many cool quotes would come out of the masters in the show. I have the first two seasons on DVD. It's also cool to see how many famous actors were in these shows before they made it big. Harrison Ford and Don Johnson are two that I saw recently. Yeah, some of the episodes are a little hokey, but this old show holds up better than most from that era in my opinion. I'm no Buddhist, but I have always had a deep respect for Shaolin Monks.

"Learn more ways to preserve rather than destroy.
Avoid rather than check.
Check rather than hurt.
Hurt rather than maim.
Maim rather than kill.
For all life is precious nor can any be replaced."

"When you must contend with another, choose your own life first."

[jberryhill]

2. The Buddhist aphorisms are great

I remember Cain as being relatively passionless as a kid. What's interesting in retrospect is that he is a little more aggressive than he probably would be if the series was remade.

I think its a great show for kids. We all watched it, of course, for the awesome fight scenes, but it really drives home the fact that all this guy is doing is passing through, minding his own business, and avoiding arrest on unjust charges.

My wife had never seen it, and she thought it was going to be an Americanized version of Chinese martial arts movies, and I said, "Oh, no, it's about this peaceful non-violent Buddhist who kicks the shit out bad guys, but only when he has no choice."

[PoliticAverse]

3. Quickly as you can, snatch the dvd from my hand... n/t