“Fatal Flying Guillotine chops off your fucking head” – Wu-Tang Clan
The unbeatable white eyebrow villain – Pai Mei (or Bak Mei). The legendary renegade Shaolin master and one of the five elders of Shaolin who betrayed his order leading to it’s burning down by the imperial government.
Bak Mei (Chinese: 白眉, literally White Eyebrows; also known as Pai Mei, Pei Mei, Bai Mei, Pak Mei) is said to have been one of the legendary Five Elders – survivors of the destruction of the Shaolin Temple by the Qing Dynasty imperial regime (1644-1912)
The “true story” of Bak Mei (also known as Pai Mei or Pak Mei) is a complex one, often intertwined with legend and popular fiction, with some accounts suggesting he was a Taoist monk who played a role in the Shaolin Temple’s decline during the Qing Dynasty, while others portray him as a figure of controversy and a master of the “White Eyebrow” kung fu style.
Some accounts suggest that Bak Mei was involved in the destruction of the Shaolin Temple during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), either as a leader of Imperial troops or as a figure who influenced the events leading to the temple’s decline.
According to some legends, Bak Mei trained an anti-Imperial attack force but following capture of the force by the Imperials, was forced to teach and lead 50,000 Imperial troops in the second destruction of the Shaolin Temple at Henan to prevent those captured with him from being tortured and killed.
Some movies that have featured the character of Pai Mei include:
- Abbot of Shaolin AKA The Slice of Death
- Executioners from Shaolin
- Clan of the White Lotus
- Fists of the White Lotus
- Shaolin Rescuers
- Shaolin Avengers
- Wu Tang vs. Ninja
- Kill Bill Part 2
When ranking the best movies featuring Pai Mei, it’s essential to consider both the classic Hong Kong martial arts films and his more recent appearance in a major Hollywood production. Here’s a breakdown:
- Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004):
- This film, directed by Quentin Tarantino and featuring Gordon Liu as Pai Mei, brought the character to a wider Western audience.
- It’s highly regarded for its intense training sequences and the portrayal of Pai Mei as a formidable and ruthless martial arts master.
- This is likely the most well known version of the character to modern audiences.
- Classic Hong Kong Martial Arts Films:
- These films, primarily from the Shaw Brothers Studio, established Pai Mei’s legendary status in martial arts cinema. Key examples include:
- Executioners from Shaolin (1977):
- This film is considered a classic and features a memorable portrayal of Pai Mei as a powerful villain.
- Clan of the White Lotus (1980):
- This film further solidified Pai Mei’s reputation as a nearly unbeatable martial artist.
- Abbot of Shaolin (1979): Also known as “The Slice of Death” this movie also features the character.
- Executioners from Shaolin (1977):
- These films, primarily from the Shaw Brothers Studio, established Pai Mei’s legendary status in martial arts cinema. Key examples include:
Key Considerations:
- The classic Shaw Brothers films provide the foundational portrayal of Pai Mei, emphasizing his villainous and powerful nature within the context of traditional kung fu cinema.
- “Kill Bill Vol. 2” re-introduced the character to a new generation, giving a new and very memorable take on the character.
Therefore, while the Shaw Brothers films are essential for understanding the character’s origins, “Kill Bill: Vol. 2” has had the most significant impact on modern audiences.
- Examples of Shaw Brothers films in the Criterion Collection: