Bruce Lee: Enter The Dragon

From Karate, Kungfu, Wrestling, Mixed Fighting Information Source

Enter the Dragon Name Enter the Dragon Director Rober Clouse Producer Bruce Lee Starring Bruce Lee John Saxon Angela Mao Betty Chung Jackie Chan Sammo Hung Chuck Norris Yuen Biao Distributor Warner Bros. Release 1973 Run Time 102 mins. Country USA Language English Preceded by na Followed by na Website IMdB Profile

Enter the Dragon stars Bruce Lee as a hired agent from an international intelligence agency to uncover the illegal activities of Mr. Han who happens to sponsor a martial arts competition which he uses as cover to recruit agents. Bruce teams up with John Saxon to avenge his sister's death and put an end to the drug and prostitution ring discovered on Mr. Han's island.

Summary

Han (Shih Kien) is a drug smuggler and serial killer of young women. He lives like a king on his island, where he also plays host to an international martial arts tournament, which takes place once every three years. Lee is enlisted by Interpol police to stop Han. He joins the tournament, along with Roper (Saxon) and Williams (Kelly). Roper has gambling debts that he must pay off, while Williams is a black power activist who is wanted in the U.S. Han's top man is grim Oharra, who was responsible for the death of Lee's sister (Angela Mao Ying). As Lee, Roper and Williams make their way through the tournament, they also learn more about Han's nefarious operations.

Martial Arts in the Film

The film is highlighted by a series of battles which shine when Lee is on screen but dim when others try to match him. John Saxon, a student of Lee and Jim Kelly are examples of why martial arts in American film is mostly forgettable. Their performance is wooden and uneasy next to Bruce. Several Hong Kong stars of greater skill and notoriety do appear. Hong Kong legend, Angela Mao gets her kicks in as Lee's sister who attempts to fend off a motley gang out to do her wrong. Its a terrible shame that two future kung fu superstars in the film appear only briefly. Sammo Hung is featured as the sparring partner who gets floored by Bruce at the Shaolin monastery before the starting credits. One the best scenes sees Bruce, having infiltrated Mr. Han's underground operations, wade through a small army of hapless evildoers. A young Jackie Chan can be seen grabbing Bruce from behind before he receives a death blow.