Temptation of a Monk

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.

Top Billed Cast

Joan Chen

Princess Hong-e - Scarlet / Qing-shou - Violet

Wu Hsing-Guo

General Shi Yan-sheng / Jing-yi

Zhang Fengyi

General Huo Da

Michael Lee

The Abbot

Lisa Lu

Shi's Mother