The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978)

Gordon Liu's Shaw Brothers classic is the definitive kung fu training film, following a revolutionary's gruelling 35-stage initiation into Shaolin martial arts before he invents the 36th Chamber. Released in 1978 and directed by Lau Kar-leung, it inspired Wu-Tang Clan's debut album title Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers in 1993 and remains the most influential film in the Shaw Brothers catalogue.