IMDb RATING
7.1/10
44K
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A country bumpkin martial artist visits his relatives in Rome, Italy, where he must defend them and their restaurant against harassment from brutal gangsters.A country bumpkin martial artist visits his relatives in Rome, Italy, where he must defend them and their restaurant against harassment from brutal gangsters.A country bumpkin martial artist visits his relatives in Rome, Italy, where he must defend them and their restaurant against harassment from brutal gangsters.
- Awards
- 1 win total
Ping-Ou Wei
- Ho
- (as Paul Wei Ping-Ao)
Chung-Hsin Huang
- 'Uncle' Wang
- (as Wang Chung Hsin)
In-shik Hwang
- Japanese Fighter
- (as Ing-Sik Whang)
Fu Ching Chen
- Robert
- (as Robert Chen)
John Kenny
- Quen
- (voice)
Robert Baker
- Thug
- (uncredited)
Riccardo Billi
- Bank Manager
- (uncredited)
Russell Cawthorne
- Man at Airport
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
Although this is technically not Lees greatest film, it is a personal favourite since Lee was in full control and everything is pure Lee. Many have wrongly stated this film is bad, having not seen the originals where you can really appreciate the composition of the showdowns (visual director with potential - see the rare 'rocking chair' shot in Game of Death). The script is bad in a few places, particularly the humour, but this film was never inteneded for the west, but designed to appeal to his country men.
Now, the film features the best array of fighting sequences ever commited to celluloid. Obviously influenced by Sergio Leones trilogy, tension is excellently built up before fight. The sequences are not overly choreographed or played in slow motion or 'lightly' then speeded up, but contain a raw, feral edge combined with breathless technique. The perfect marriage between art and realism.
The fights with Wong Ing Sik and Bob Wall while short, are underrated even by Lee fans. Those who have been lucky enough to see the double nunchaku sequence in full, will have witnessed one of the best display of weaponary ever shown on the silver screen (along with the 'original' and 'complete' nunchaku footage from Game of Death and the wonderfully comprehensive display of martial arts in the underground Enter the Dragon sequence).
And then theres THAT coliseum fight. Perhaps the start is abit overdone (But Lee wanted to put forward a point i.e. don't play to your oponents strength), but it is undoubtedly the best expression of the human body ever, whether fighting, dancing, running whatever. Those brought up on Latter day Chan stuff and in particular Jet Li fights, will not appreciate this piece, but those knowing anything about the fighting arts or good choreography will be shaken not just stirred.
Now, the film features the best array of fighting sequences ever commited to celluloid. Obviously influenced by Sergio Leones trilogy, tension is excellently built up before fight. The sequences are not overly choreographed or played in slow motion or 'lightly' then speeded up, but contain a raw, feral edge combined with breathless technique. The perfect marriage between art and realism.
The fights with Wong Ing Sik and Bob Wall while short, are underrated even by Lee fans. Those who have been lucky enough to see the double nunchaku sequence in full, will have witnessed one of the best display of weaponary ever shown on the silver screen (along with the 'original' and 'complete' nunchaku footage from Game of Death and the wonderfully comprehensive display of martial arts in the underground Enter the Dragon sequence).
And then theres THAT coliseum fight. Perhaps the start is abit overdone (But Lee wanted to put forward a point i.e. don't play to your oponents strength), but it is undoubtedly the best expression of the human body ever, whether fighting, dancing, running whatever. Those brought up on Latter day Chan stuff and in particular Jet Li fights, will not appreciate this piece, but those knowing anything about the fighting arts or good choreography will be shaken not just stirred.
I first saw this in the late 80s on a vhs, then again in the early 2k on a dvd which I own.
Revisited it recently.
As a kid from the 80s n aft seeing this movie, i was in awe aft witnessing the nunchukas fight sequence.
This one gets a bit repetitive cos of the same goons who keeps on getting thrashed by the character of Lee but they keep on coming back. One of the fat goon with a beard looks like poor man's Russell Crowe.
The best n the most memorable is the treatment of the fight in the Colosseum with Chuck Norris with a cat as a spectator.
In this one Lee plays Tang Lung, a kung fu expert who is sent from Hong Kong to Italy by his uncle to help family friends whose restaurant business is threatened by a mafia boss.
This one showcases Lee's immense energy n amazing fighting skills, especially the way his feet moves.
He mimicked Mohammad Ali's float like a butterfly style.
Lee is allowed to have a sense of humor in this movie.
This one aint gory like The Big Boss.
Ping-Ou Wei (famous for playing the interpreter in this one n the Fist of Fury) acted very well. His body language is total effeminate, especially his limp wristed n running style is a big lol.
Another best fight sequence is the one in the alley with the nunchukas.
Revisited it recently.
As a kid from the 80s n aft seeing this movie, i was in awe aft witnessing the nunchukas fight sequence.
This one gets a bit repetitive cos of the same goons who keeps on getting thrashed by the character of Lee but they keep on coming back. One of the fat goon with a beard looks like poor man's Russell Crowe.
The best n the most memorable is the treatment of the fight in the Colosseum with Chuck Norris with a cat as a spectator.
In this one Lee plays Tang Lung, a kung fu expert who is sent from Hong Kong to Italy by his uncle to help family friends whose restaurant business is threatened by a mafia boss.
This one showcases Lee's immense energy n amazing fighting skills, especially the way his feet moves.
He mimicked Mohammad Ali's float like a butterfly style.
Lee is allowed to have a sense of humor in this movie.
This one aint gory like The Big Boss.
Ping-Ou Wei (famous for playing the interpreter in this one n the Fist of Fury) acted very well. His body language is total effeminate, especially his limp wristed n running style is a big lol.
Another best fight sequence is the one in the alley with the nunchukas.
Even though this movie was dubbed, and the dubbing isn't that great. the whole movie is great. I actually find this movie way better then Enter the Dragon. Plus, you got Bruce Lee, writing, starring and directing it, and he knew what to do to make this kung fu movie awesome. I reccomend this one to any kung fu fan who has not seen this one yet... i give it 9 out of 10.
Bruce Lee really rules. Before this I had seen only "enter the dragon". It is usually considered to bee his best film, so I didn´t really know what to expect from "way of the dragon". I liked it very much. Biggest problem I had with it was that I had to watch the english dubbed version. I prefer the original language! Lee really knew how to entertain the audience. He was funny, but not too funny. I particulary enjoyed the last fighting scene when "Colt" was defeated. For once the bad guy went down with honour! I recommend this to anyone who likes a good kung-fu movie. There might be better ones, but no complains. 8/10
Bruce Lee demonstrates why without ever being a tournament champion that he was one of the best martial artists of all times. His speed and technique easily out class the other real martial artisits this film presents. His fight with Chuck Norris in this film is legendary. Watching Chuck in his prime is intense, high speed and accuracy. What scares me is that Bruce is faster. And even though he is lacking size, its obvious that the little dragons power is intense. Yes the scenes in these movies may be choreographed, but it's hard to make duplicate the skills shown by these fighters with trick photography and ballet lessons.
This is the first film Bruce took a major role in both on and off the set. He searched for quality martial artists for the fight scenes and was the one who reccomended Italy for this shoot.
The film revolves around a restaurant in Italy run by Lee's uncle and his (assumably ) cousins. Local gangsters try to close the restaurant down and get a piece of the action. To avoid complications with the law, they try and man handle the resteraunt owner and workers and Lee comes to the rescue.
This is the first film Bruce took a major role in both on and off the set. He searched for quality martial artists for the fight scenes and was the one who reccomended Italy for this shoot.
The film revolves around a restaurant in Italy run by Lee's uncle and his (assumably ) cousins. Local gangsters try to close the restaurant down and get a piece of the action. To avoid complications with the law, they try and man handle the resteraunt owner and workers and Lee comes to the rescue.
Did you know
- TriviaThe entire film was shot without sound, with the actors looping their lines in post-production.
- GoofsAt the beginning of the movie, Bruce Lee is eating several different types of soups and several times he takes a spoonful of an orange colored soup and as he puts it into his mouth some dribbles on his chin. The soup he dribbles on his chin is white.
- Alternate versionsAll above mentioned cuts to the original US release were restored to the new 2005 DVD release. Plus an additional scene of Lee being made fun of by the gang for saying "excuse me" to one of the crooks after bumping into him.
- ConnectionsEdited into Le Jeu de la mort (1978)
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- El dragón
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $130,000 (estimated)
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