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Thou Shall Not Kill... But Once

Name: Thou Shall Not Kill... But Once
Director: Tsai Yang-Ming
Released: 1975
Duration: 81 min

Representation Score

3.9/10

Limited

1975

Director

Tsai Yang-Ming

Runtime

81 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

This martial arts drama primarily focuses on the tension between individual ability to act and institutional hierarchies. While it lacks broad demographic representation, it offers narrative depth by challenging the expectation of religious infallibility. The film's strength lies in its exploration of complex themes such as the fragility of masculine discipline and the struggle against imperialist rule. It moves beyond simple heroics to examine the moral instability within sacred institutions. However, the film adheres to traditional gender roles and lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or characters with disabilities. Its diversity is found in political and institutional critique rather than social inclusivity.

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Category Breakdown

Does Thou Shall Not Kill... But Once have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses on heterosexual romance, particularly the relationship between Yao Hao and his fiancée. There is no queer subtext or representation of non-cisgender identities.

How does Thou Shall Not Kill... But Once portray gender?

Fair

Gender roles are traditional, with the female lead having a secondary, supportive role. However, the film challenges the stability of masculinity by depicting Brother Fa, a monk, as morally fragile.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Thou Shall Not Kill... But Once?

Good

Set during the Manchu rule, the story explores ethnic dominance and resistance. The conflict between Shaolin and the Manchu ruler highlights themes of ethnic ability to act against imperialist oppression.

How does Thou Shall Not Kill... But Once represent religion and culture?

Fair

The narrative criticizes religious institutions by highlighting the jealousy and moral failings of its members. It avoids simplistic morality by examining the tension between asceticism and worldly desires.

Does Thou Shall Not Kill... But Once include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no visible or invisible disabilities portrayed as central to the character arcs or plot progression.

Present on Screen

Explores complex themes of ethnic resistance against imperialist Manchu rule.
Challenges traditional archetypes by portraying religious figures with human flaws and jealousy.
Offers a nuanced critique of centralized, oppressive state structures.

Limited or Absent

Relies on traditional, secondary gender roles for female characters.
Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender perspectives.
Contains no visible or invisible portrayals of disability.

Official Synopsis

Yao Hao (Chen Sing), is a young man whose father was assassinated and whose mother was killed in an attack on the funeral procession. He survives the attack and winds up at a Shaolin temple where he insists he wants to stay and become a monk. His beautiful fiancée (Lu Shu Chin) pleads with him to come back with her, but he refuses. The head monk, Brother Fa (Chan Wai Man), an orphan who's been at the monastery all his life and is expecting to succeed the current Shaolin Abbot, is jealous of the privileges Yao Hao has had in life and asks him questions about the outside world, including what it's like to touch a woman. Brother Fa's weakening resolve soon finds him leaving the monastery and falling into the clutches of Lord Eagle (Kam Kong), the Manchu ruler in the area who's trying to wipe out all resistance to Manchu/Ching rule.

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