Kung Fu (1972) (TV)

Director:

Jerry Thorpe

Writers:

Howard Friedlander (writer)
Ed Spielman (story)

Release Date:

22 February 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Western | Action

Plot:

After avenging the death of his teacher, a Shaolin monk flees China to the American West and helps people while being pursued by bounty hunters.

Plot Keywords:

Cult Western | Caucasian Actor Playing Asian Character | Kung Fu Master | Psychotronic | Shaolin Master

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe.

Cast

David Carradine	...	Caine
Barry Sullivan	...	Dillon
Albert Salmi	...	Raif
Wayne Maunder	...	McKay
Benson Fong	...	Han Fei
Richard Loo	...	Master Sun
Keye Luke	...	Master Po
Philip Ahn	...	Master Kan
Victor Sen Yung	...	Chuen
Robert Ito	...	Fong
James Hong	...	Hsiang
Radames Pera	...	Young Caine
Roy Jenson	...	Fuller
John Leoning	...	Master Teh
David Chow	...	Little Monk

Also Known As:

The Warrior (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

75 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park - 10700 W. Escondido Canyon Rd., Agua Dulce, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Television

Trivia:

According to Bruce Lee's wife, Linda Lee Cadwell, the concept of the Kung Fu series was conceived by Bruce, and met with the producers for countless hours to shape the show. But the producers did not offer the role to Bruce Lee since they did not feel that the American audience (at that time) would accept a Chinese actor as a lead, therefore looked for a Caucasian actor to fill the role.

Quotes:

Master Po: What do you hear?
Caine: I hear the grasshopper.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Fight Club (1999)

Probably the best TV movie ever

This TV movie, which played as a pilot for the series, Kung Fu, is the best TV movie I've ever seen. "Brian's Song" would be a close second.

The movie - and the series - is as innovative (using flashbacks, slow-motion, focusing fade-ins, and a lot of Eastern quotes that make a great deal of sense) as any you will find.

And this was a Western! There was nothing like it before and there's been nothing like it since. KUNG FU is one of a kind.

The TV series was excellent as well. The various directors all used the same interesting techniques as the pilot film to achieve almost a dream-like effect of the West during the early part of the 20th century.