Temptation of a Monk (1993)

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.

Released Sept. 15, 1993 118 min 18+

Genres: Adventure, Drama, Romance

Keywords: tmdb.woman-director, imdb.buddhist-nun, imdb.warrior-turns-monk, imdb.crisis-of-conscience, imdb.temple, imdb.brother-murders-brother, imdb.f-rated + 67 more, imdb.sex-scene, imdb.title-directed-by-female, imdb.transient, imdb.suicide-of-mother, imdb.loss-of-friend, imdb.death-of-loved-one, imdb.buddhist-child-monk, imdb.monastery, imdb.general, imdb.princess, imdb.seduction, imdb.loss, imdb.teacher-student-relationship, imdb.spirituality, imdb.buddhist-monk, imdb.buddhist-monastery, imdb.temptation, imdb.ancient-china, imdb.buddhism, imdb.7th-century, imdb.love, imdb.revenge, imdb.self-discovery, imdb.emperor, imdb.brother-brother-relationship, imdb.heir, imdb.mother-son-relationship, imdb.mountain, imdb.violence, imdb.assassination-attempt, imdb.period-piece, imdb.crown-prince, imdb.tang-dynasty, imdb.china, imdb.mistaken-identity, imdb.loss-of-loved-one, imdb.deception, imdb.ambush, imdb.femme-fatale, imdb.warrior, imdb.female-rear-nudity, imdb.female-topless-nudity, imdb.seductive-dance, imdb.redemption, imdb.reference-to-the-buddha, imdb.female-nudity, imdb.tragic-love, imdb.temptress, imdb.shaved-head, imdb.seductress, imdb.mysterious-woman, imdb.monk, imdb.massacre, imdb.loyalty, imdb.double, imdb.doppelganger, imdb.betrayal, imdb.game-of-go, imdb.death-of-mother, imdb.based-on-novel, soundmix.dolby, aspectratio.1-85-1, imdb.7th-century-china, imdb.chinese-historical-setting, release.dvd, imdb.actor-playing-dual-role, imdb.actress-playing-dual-role