Someone needs to turn this book into a movie....

Chronicles of the Tao

With some of the Chinese classics that already become turned into TV series' or movies; Journey to the West and The Three Kingdoms. I am surprised that no one has turned this book into a movie. It has got everything you would want in an epic martial arts film. Philosophy, martial arts, war, drama and intrigue. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was based off the Iron pentalogy. This story in my opinion is just as good.

It is the tale of Kwan Sai Hung who is born at the beginning of the 20th century in china. He is born into a wealthy aristocratic family. At the age of 11 he joins a Taoist hermitage on Huashan mountain. He learns many different aspects of taoism in the monastery: Meditation, Astral Projection, Philosophy and Martial arts. While Kwan Saihung is growing up in the Monastery, China experiences a lot of upheaval. He decides to leave the monastery to fight with the nationalists in a war against Japan. He later returns to the monastery when he realizes that war only causes more death and destruction.

There are many interesting subplots throughout the book that are in classic Kung Fu movies. There is the 'Our secret kung fu manuals that would give someone unbeatable techniques were stolen and we need to get them back' subplot. There is the 'renegade student who used to be the prize pupil leaves the monastery and causes all types of havoc' subplot. There is the 'student who is disillusioned with his studies and decides to go see the world but realizes the grass isn't necessarily greener on the other side' subplot. The ' encountering supernatural phenomena while entering uncharted areas during meditation' subplot. Add in a mix of philosophy, encounters with the martial underworld (jiang hu) and some epic martial arts battles and you have a great novel.

He is forced to leave the monastery when the communists take over the country and crack down on religious organizations. He comes to america where he tries to adapt to american culture. He goes to New York, gets a job in a kitchen, learns western boxing and eventually ends up in San Francisco. He eventually ends up teaching some students of his own which is where the book ends.

There are martial arts battles sprinkled throughout the book that are awesome. Some of the epic battles are between the Grand Master of Hua Shan and a Dwarf, between Kwan Sai Hung and 'the Tigress'. There is a lot of insight into life in a taoist monastery, the history and philosophies of taoism and martial arts.

I say if it does end up as a movie, Zhang Zhiyi plays the tigress. Gordon Liu or Chao Yun Fat play the Grand Master and you get Tony Leung to play Kwan Sai Hung and Donny Chen to play butterfly. I will accept casting credit and maybe an extra or consulting role if any producers are thinking about making this. That or a date with Zhang Zhiyi, whichever works.