"Arguably the most entertaining, colourful and spectacular kung-fu movie ever made." Well that's what it says on the packaging, but unfortunately although it's most likely true, the film is destroyed yet again by the industries video guardians, well at least it is for region 2 viewers. Why is it that these ignorant people have to continually cut out the most memorable scenes? They say it's too violent and teaches the kids to be violent. What a crock, almost all children's films are full of violence and with any martial arts based kiddie films they fully include the use of just about every weapon. Watch the Turtles with their nanchaku, or samurai, I suppose they think because it's a kids film it's not realistic. I think they should label all films like this as 18, just like they do with the softened adult films, at least then the kids would be treated as such, "LIKE ADULTS".
Anyway now I've had my whinge I can tell you about the film itself. This is the only film starring Bruce Lee ever to come out of Hollywood, and that's sad really because there has not been, nor do I think ever will be again a martial artist like him, he was a true master who always displayed great showmanship. This has been proven continually, by the way his films are still sold and watched world wide, even so long after his untimely death in 1973. I must admit I would recommend all his films to anyone who likes martial arts or action.
Along with Bruce Lee this movie has a few other very popular stars, some of whom you would probably never associate with the martial arts. One of the reasons for this is that Bruce Lee actually taught quite a few Hollywood stars, not just to act out the moves but to really learn them as real students. Watch out for John Saxon in this film, his demonstration alone reveals the quality of Bruce's teaching.
Shortly after the opening scenes Mr Lee (Bruce), is invited to a martial arts tournament, not by the invitee but by the government. It turns out that the private island where the tournament is held is really a place for drug dealing, prostitution and dealer recruitment, thus the government want proof of the goings on to allow them to get in and shut down the operations. Mr Lee accepts the invite and a little later finds out how some years earlier his sister had died because of some of the thugs from the island, in particular O'Hara who is played by Bob Wall. Watch out for the scene where Lee fights him
Once on the island and settled, Mr Lee begins his activities to uncover the various illegal things going on, upset the owner no end. In turn there are a variety of fights both in and out of the tournament as Hann tries to find the culprit that is sneaking about at night, he also has a few guards killed as an example and in hope that the culprit will reveal himself. At this point Hann accuses Jim Kelly of being the culprit culminating in a great fight scene and death. This is where the story begins to turn and allow the real action.
After eliminating John Saxon as the culprit, Hann sets a trap. He finally catches Mr Lee, but not until after Lee has contacted the mainland, and defeated an enormous amount of Hann's guards. Unfortunately this incredible sequence of fights is where the cool nanchaku scene was edited out. The next morning Hann tries to force a face off between Lee and Saxon, but fails and a full scale fight erupts. Hann attempts to escape but is pursued by Lee to a hall of mirrors where all remaining frustration is vented in the final showdown. With the exception of the cut scenes I would rate this film as 11 out of 10. Definitely 100% watchable over and over again. Finally if anyone knows where I can acquire a totally uncut version, please let me know. Thanx!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 1964 - Action/Adventure - Director: Cyril Endfield - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green
Production Year: 1977 - Action/Adventure - Director: Clint Eastwood - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring:Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Pat Hingle, William Prince, Bill McKinney
Production Year: 2002 - Action/Adventure - Director: Vincenzo Natali - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring:Lucy Liu, David Hewlett, Anne Marie Scheffler, Joseph Scoren, Matthew Sharp, Jeremy Northam
Advantages: The majectic Bruce in action, generally entertaining Disadvantages: poor story, bad acting, grainy colour, average sound, last proper Bruce Lee film
Advantages: martial arts sequences, one of Bruce Lee's best films Disadvantages: Cheesy script, could have been better for the timid anti-oriental producers
Advantages: martial arts sequences, one of Bruce Lee's best films Disadvantages: Cheesy script, could have been better for the timid anti-oriental producers
Mar 26th, 2001
very helpful by (83%):
helpful by (17%):
