# A Touch of Zen (1970) — Celluloid fact sheet

Source: https://celluloidscore.com/movies/a-touch-of-zen-1970/
Last reviewed: 2026-08-31

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Celluloid Score | 84% |
| Editorial Rating | 95/100 |
| Audience Snapshot | 84% (excluded from composite) |
| Metascore | 84/100 |
| Letterboxd | 4.1/5 |
| IMDb | 7.5/10 |
| Director | King Hu |
| Genres | Action, Adventure, Fantasy |
| Runtime | 180 min |

## Quick answer

A Touch of Zen (1970) earns a 84% Celluloid Score — Recommended. King Hu’s three-hour wuxia dissolves into pure light by the end — the genre’s one undisputed art film. Metascore 84/100. Directed by King Hu.

## Celluloid verdict

King Hu’s three-hour wuxia dissolves into pure light by the end — the genre’s one undisputed art film.

## Synopsis

Yang Hui-zhen, a mysterious princess on the run from corrupt government officials, is joined in her endeavors by skilled Buddhist monks and an unambitious painter named Gu Sheng-zhai.

## Cast

Hsu Feng, Shih Chun, Pai Ying, Tien Peng, Roy Chiao, Tsao Chien, Miao Tian, Melvin Chang Yun-Wen

## Where to watch

Global: The Criterion Channel
the United States: The Criterion Channel
South Korea: TVING

## Critic reviews on Celluloid: 1

## Common questions

**Is A Touch of Zen worth watching?**
A Touch of Zen holds a 84% Celluloid Score. King Hu’s three-hour wuxia dissolves into pure light by the end — the genre’s one undisputed art film.

**What is A Touch of Zen about?**
Yang Hui-zhen, a mysterious princess on the run from corrupt government officials, is joined in her endeavors by skilled Buddhist monks and an unambitious painter named Gu Sheng-zhai.

**Who directed A Touch of Zen?**
A Touch of Zen (1970) was directed by King Hu.

**What is the Celluloid Score of A Touch of Zen?**
84% — calculated from available Celluloid editorial (95/100), Metascore (84/100), Letterboxd (4.1/5), and IMDb (7.5/10) inputs. Audience sentiment is excluded.

**Where can I watch A Touch of Zen?**
A Touch of Zen is streaming on The Criterion Channel; on The Criterion Channel in the United States; on TVING in South Korea. Availability varies by region.

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Reviewed and scored by Celluloid · Editor: Kaiser Khan (https://celluloidscore.com/author/kaiser-khan/)

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