David Carradine starred as Shaolin priest Kwai Chang Caine, an Oriental/American raised in a Chinese monastery who later fled to America when he killed the Royal Chinese nephew in defense of Master Po (Keye Luke), a blind monk who called Caine "Grasshopper."

While in America, Caine searched for his family roots and his half-brother Daniel "Danny" Caine whose father Thomas Henry Caine fell in love with an oriental woman name Kwai Lin while in China and gave birth to Kwai Chang.

Listen to Opening Music & Narration

As Kwai Chang trekked through the Old West in search of his American identity, he was confronted by many who wanted the $10,000 reward for his capture. His only defense: Kung Fu.

"In the Shaolin Temple, there are three kinds of men...students, disciples and Masters. The 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 Eagle, the duality of hard and soft. The Praying Mantis teaches us speed and patience. The Way of the Tiger...tenacity and power. And from the Dragon we learn to ride the wind."

When Caine first arrived at the Shaolin monastery, Master Kan (Philip Ahn) pointed to a pebble in his open palm and said" "As quickly as you can...snatch the pebble from my hand." Caine (Radames Pera) grabbed for the tiny stone but Kan's hand closed before he could get to it. Then, Kan said to Caine, "When you can take the pebble from my hand, it will be time for you to leave."

Years later, Caine, fully trained and educated in the Ways of the Shaolin, again presented himself before Master Kan. This time he snatched the pebble and thus graduated which included branding his arms with the sign of a tiger and a dragon. These marks identified Caine as a priest to Chinese immigrants and a tell-tale sign for the Imperial Chinese agents and bounty hunters who sought to catch Caine dead or alive.

"It is said a Shaolin priest can walk through walls...listened for, he cannot be heard...looked for, he cannot be seen...felt, he cannot be touched."

The closest Caine ever came to a reprieve for killing the Emperor's nephew was when they offered him a pardon if he considered returning home to China. The only condition. He had to cut off one of his fingers as a sign of atonement. Caine passed on the deal. (Smart move)

Eventually, Caine finds his brother Danny (Tim McIntire), but for the rest of his life Kwai Chang would still be on the look out for emissaries of the Imperial Court in China who wanted revenge the Royal nephew's death.

Caine's family offered to let him stay at their ranch but he declined and instead wandered off into the wilderness on an endless journey of self discovery.

Other relatives discovered on Caine's journey included:

• Dean Jagger as Henry Rafael Caine, the grandfather who lived in Lordsville. He gave Caine Danny's letters, and his great grandfather's watch. Henry's deceased wife was Elizabeth Hale Caine. When Kwai Chang made a return visit to his father's home, he discovers his grandfather was murdered.
• John Blyth Barrymore as nephew, Zeke.