Circle of Iron

In a land that has never existed, Cord (Jeff Cooper) is a fighter searching for the secrets of a book guarded by Zetan (Christopher Lee). Along the way Cord encounters a Blind Man (David Carradine) who teaches him the art of philosophy through martial arts. This all comes in handy when Cord must face a series of opponents (all played by Carradine). Wow, where has this film been all of my life? Based on an idea by Bruce Lee, this is a really enjoyable flick that is as entertaining as it is outlandish. Carradine shines in all four of his roles and he and Cooper have a nice rapport (they were apparently friends in real life). It is also wild to see a buff guy pushing 40 like Cooper to be cast in the lead role. If this was made today, it would definitely be a kid. There are some quick supporting turns by Roddy McDowall and Christopher Lee, but the film's cameo highlight is Eli Wallach as "The Man in Oil." Yup, he is a guy bathing in a big drum of oil in the middle of the desert with the hopes it will make his genitals dissolve. Seriously! The entire scene unfolds as if they let Alejandro Jodorowsky do one day of filming for kicks. Cinematographer-turned-directer Richard Moore never directed another film after this and it is a shame as he gets some great use out of the locations in Israel.

This spiritual journey by muscleman Jeff Cooper is filled with goofy philosophics delivered with ridiculous austerity by the likes of guest stars David Carradine, Eli Wallach and Christopher Lee. It's all supposed to be mystical and enlightening, but it's mostly an unexhilirating peplum potboiler, without the enjoyably kitsch qualities that made that genre endearing. Listening to Lee philosophize was as dull as watching him perform was exciting. Oddball chopsocky.

I loved this movie. I loved just about everything about it. It has the perfect mix of philosophy, humor and martial arts. It's not, as far as I'm concerned, a martial arts movie.

It's an attempt to explain Eastern teachings to Western audiences. Whether it succeeds or not, depends on your attention span and how carefully you're watching. This is NOT a movie to watch while doing other things.

My favorite scene in the movie is Eli Wallach, who plays the man in oil. He's sitting in a cauldron in the middle of the desert, punishing himself for his own lust. Too funny.

I highly recommend this movie for anyone looking for something deep and different.

This is the story and journey of a lone man, Cord (played by Canadian Jeff Cooper), who is in search of Zetan and his book of knowledge. Along the way he meets many people and has to overcome several trials.

The story was original conceived by Bruce Lee, with help from James Coburn. In the meantime Bruce left for Honk Kong (Golden Harvest) to make what would be his series of movies that would immortalize him. This movie was resurrected after Bruce's untimely death.

What would have been Bruce's role, as the blind mystic/martial arts flute player with a bell on his toe, went to the universal Bruce Lee role acquiring machine that is David Carradine. In David's defense he does play 4 roles in this movie and is the saving grace of the movie. Jeff Cooper painfully interprets Cord, the hero. He almost lacks any emotion even when annoyed or angry his face is strangely serene and on the verge of a smile. He obviously spent time working out, but little to no time in a dojo. Also what's up with the hair ?? David's problem lies in his "martial arts" skills and his fortune cookie kung-fu babble. The movie seems like an extended version of the TV series that David was in (Kung Fu).

There are problems with this movie. Initially the movie was to take place in the East (China, Thailand, etc) to correspond with the various themes of the movie (Taoism, Zen Buddhism, etc). Instead the movie was filmed in Israel. The landscapes and backdrops are at times breathtaking, just out of place. This along with the crappy martial arts choreography (think Dolemite) and the repetition of extras gives the movie the feel of a Conan knock-off.

There are also some nice cameos by Roddy McDowall, Christopher Lee and Eli Wallach. The man in oil scene is priceless. Throughout all this if one pays attention, one can pick up a lot of Bruce's beliefs and philosophies. One can only wonder how good this movie would have been if Bruce would have been able to make it. I highly recommend this movie for fans of Bruce and the martial arts genre.

-Celluloid Rehab

If you are looking for a Steven Segal-type martial arts movie, you will not find it here. This movie is about the philosophy of Kung Fu. It is done with humor as well as unique action and drama.

Each year, in a martial arts contest, someone wins the right to seek out Zetan and the Book of Enlightenment. During that search, the seeker will face many trials that are severe. Not all will succeed.

Though Cord, a man with no school, wins the fight, he is disqualified because he has broken several rules, and another is chosen. The Chosen one, however does not succeed in facing the first trial and sends Cord in his place. Before the first trial, Cord meets a blind man who becomes his teacher. It is as if this man is actually seeking for someone like Cord. The blind man plays a flute that only Cord can hear. The flute is also a staff that aids the blind man.

A special note: David Carradine learned to make bamboo flutes and he made the flute the blind man carried. In fact he made three for the movie.

The movie is filled with imagery and lessons on life and enlightenment. Thought as you watch it a second and a third time, it becomes more clear that there are Two seekers. Even a Teacher can still be a Seeker and a Seeker can also be a Teacher.