Why does the servant girl cut off her own arm?

The servant girl cuts off her own arm to impersonate the princess and protect her, ultimately sacrificing her life in the process.

Action Cult Classic

A one-armed princess, marauders, and a butcher’s promise fuel this wild martial arts drama.

EMPEROR OF SHAOLIN KUNG FU

1980 · 1h 30m · NR · Action / Drama · IMDB TMDB

The kingdom of the Ming Emperor is being over run. He decides to kill himself and his daughter - but she escapes with a severe injury. She is helped by a female warrior and hopes to defeat the invaders.

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Quick Answer

What is Emperor of Shaolin Kung Fu about?

Emperor of Shaolin Kung Fu is a 1980 Taiwan/Hong Kong action drama directed by Sung Pe Liu and Hsi-chieh Lai about a maimed princess seeking aid to save her kingdom from marauders.

Programmer's Pick

Mixing imperial woes with the legendary one-armed hero motif, this film packs betrayal, self-sacrifice, and some seriously committed swordplay. If you think your family has issues, try surviving marauders and imperial mayhem with just one arm.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

When the Ming Emperor’s kingdom is ravaged by marauders, his despair leads to a shocking choice: he attempts to end both his life and his daughter’s. The princess survives, but is left maimed and alone. As she wanders a treacherous landscape, she seeks help from those around her—only to find weakness and betrayal at every turn. Her journey spirals further when a loyal servant makes the ultimate sacrifice in an attempt to protect her. Rooted in the storied tradition of one-armed fighters in Hong Kong cinema, Emperor of Shaolin Kung Fu blends high-stakes drama with martial arts action, all set against a backdrop of royal tragedy and relentless danger.