"Kung Fu": Original Pilot Movie

Pilot/First Season
Now on DVD

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Pilot Movie: "KUNG FU"
Teleplay By: Ed Spielman & Howard Friedlander Story By: Ed Spielman
Directed By:: Jerry Thorpe (also #1, 2, 3, 4, 16, 18 & 40)
First Broadcast: FEBRUARY 22, 1972 available on video and also on the new First Season DVD)
Guest Stars: Barry Sullivan (also #33), Albert Salmi (also #6 & 39), Wayne Maunder, Benson Fong (also #3, 19 & 44), Richard Loo (also pilot & #3, 23, 35, 48 & 50-51), Victor Sen Yung (also #9, 21, 30 & 47), Robert Ito (also #17 & 30), James Hong (also #21, 35, 41, 42, 49, 50 & 54 and bit parts in others), Keith Carradine (also #11), David Chow (also technical and Kung Fu advisor until the middle of the 2nd series, sometimes assisted by Kam Yuen, who took over after that)
Regular Cast: David Carradine, Philip Ahn, Keye Luke, Radames Pera

Fleeing a murder charge in China, Caine helps Chinese laborers building the transcontinental railroad. (Novelization by Howard Lee^*2*)

The Wanted Poster
Many viewers over the years
have asked for a clear view
of the Wanted Poster
Jim Hamilton sent us this copy,
which is the clearest we have seen.
Click on the image for larger version

[Revised and Expanded - March 19, 2004]

"In the Shaolin Temple we have never accepted anyone of other than full Chinese birth." Caine thinks he is being sent away but a moment later Master Kan continues, "There is a first for everything."

"Quickly as you can, snatch the pebble from my hand." The young Caine tries and fails. "When you can take the pebble from my hand, it will be time for you to leave. -Master Kan

"I am Caine. I am called many names, but I have chosen 'Caine.'" -Caine

"If one's words are not better than silence, one should keep silent." -Caine

[The first meeting between the young Caine and Master Po contains the following:]
"A Shaolin priest is at one with himself." -Old Man

"To hit a target... is to exercise the inner strength. Indeed there are two kinds of strengths. The outer strength is obvious: it fades with age and succumbs to sickness. Then there is the ch'i, the inner strength. Everyone possesses it, too. But it is indeed much more difficult to develop. The inner strength lasts through every heat and every cold. Through old age and beyond." -Master Kan

"When you can walk the rice paper without tearing it, then your steps will not be heard." -Master Kan

"'What happens in a man's life is already written. A man must move through life as his destiny wills.' -Caine
'Yes, yet each man is free to live as he chooses. Though they seem opposite, both are true. I do not understand it.' -Old Man
'You have taken in much, old man, like the waters of the Tao.'" - Caine (mispronouncing 'Tao' with the starting sound of a "T" instead of a "D"

"In the Shaolin temple there are three kinds of men: students, disciples and masters. Development of the mind can be achieved only when the body has been disciplined. To accomplish this, the ancients have taught us to imitate God's creatures.... From the crane we learn grace and self-control. The snake teaches us suppleness and rhythmic endurance. The praying mantis teaches us speed and patience. And from the tiger we learn tenacity and power. And from the dragon we learn to ride the wind. All creatures, the low and the high, are one with nature. If we have the wisdom to learn, all may teach us their virtues. Between the fragile beauty of the praying mantis and the fire and passion of the winged dragon, there is no discord. Between the supple silence of the snake and the eagle's claws, there is only harmony. As no two elements of nature are in conflict so when we perceive the ways of nature, we remove conflict within ourselves and discover a harmony of body and mind in accord with the flow of the universe. It may take half a lifetime to master one system." -Master Kan (part of this is also in episode #1)

"'A man runs a long way with a price on his head. For murder' Said about Caine and the price on his head.
'If that is so, he is worth much more than any of us will ever see.'
'Only to one who could kill him. Not many could do that.'
'Another with the same skills?'"

"'What is the best way to deal with force?' -disciple Caine to one of his teachers.
'As we prize peace and quiet above victory, there is a simple and preferred method.... Run away.'"

"Perceive the way of nature and no force of man can harm you. Do not meet a wave head on: avoid it. You do not have to stop force: it is easier to redirect it. Learn more ways to preserve rather than destroy. Avoid rather than check. Check rather than hurt. Hurt rather than maim. Maim rather than kill. For all life is precious nor can any be replaced." - Master Kan

"Men do not beat drums before they hunt for tigers." -Caine
'What would you have us do, Priest?'
'Wait.' Later when this man tries to lead them to fight for themselves and is shot, Caine tells the others, 'To fight for yourself is right. To die vainly without hope of winning is the act of stupid men. Let one death be enough.'"

"'You have learned discipline and acquired many new abilities. however never forget that a priest's life is a simple one and must remain free of ambition.' -Master Po to the disciple Caine
'Have you no ambition, Master Po?'
'Only one. Five years hence, it is my wish to make a pilgrimage to the Forbidden City. It is a place where even priests receive no special status. There in the Temple of Heaven, will be a festival The full moon of May. It will be the thirteenth day of the fifth month in the Year of the Dog.'
'That is not such a great ambition.'
'But it is ambition, nonetheless. Who among us is without flaw?'" -Master Po

"Remember always that a wise man walks with his head bowed; humble like the dust." -Master Kan to Caine, who has just succeeded in snatching the pebble from his hand demonstrating that it is time for him to leave the Temple.

"He's a very special kind of Chinaman. He walks through walls. You won't hear him, see him or touch him." -about Caine

"It would take more than years for me to forget the footsteps of my favorite pupil." -Master Po

"The years have been good. Quiet and measured. Flowing slowly like water." -Caine, when Master Po asks how he's been since leaving the temple

"I am Po. Lowly priest from Hunan Province." -Master Po

"After all your teaching, I have disgraced myself." -Caine to the dying Po, on killing the royal nephew
"No. Sometimes one must cut off a finger to save a hand. There will be a price on your head. No place to hide. You must leave the country. If I had a son, all I could offer him is contained in this pouch. Please take it." -Master Po to Caine

"For money? A Shaolin monk does not sell himself for a handful of rice." -Caine to the Shaolin who has been sent to capture/kill him.

"The taking of a life does no one honor." -Caine, after winning
'What will you do?'
'Work. Wander. Rest when I can.'
'He will never let you rest. The Emperor. He sent this man. He will send others. They all know you are here in America. They will search you out.'
'Then let them find me.'"

The positioning of the scenes implies that Po tells Caine about his ambition to attend the festival in five years just before Caine leaves the temple. If so, there would be five years between his leaving the temple and the killing of the Royal Nephew - or maybe only four but the implication is that it is definitely more than two.