The Way of the Dragon *** (Bruce Lee, Nora Miao, Robert Wall, Wei Ping-ou, Chuck Norris) – Classic Movie Review 13,061

The nimble, sprightly 1972 Hong Kong martial arts action comedy film The Way of the Dragon [Meng long guo jiang] is co-produced and directed by Bruce Lee, who also stars.

The nimble, sprightly 1972 Hong Kong martial arts action comedy film The Way of the Dragon [Meng long guo jiang] is co-produced and directed by Bruce Lee, who also stars. It is Lee’s only complete directorial film and his last film released in his lifetime. Nora Miao, Robert Wall, Wei Ping-ou and Chuck Norris (in his screen debut) also star.

The Way of the Dragon was released in Hong Kong on 30 December 1972, and in the US in August 1974, grossing $130 million worldwide against a low budget of $130,000. It was the highest-grossing Hong Kong film till Lee’s next film Enter the Dragon (1973).

Chen Ching-hua (Nora Miao ) and her Uncle Wang (Huang Chung-hsin), the owners of a restaurant in Rome, are being harassed by a crime boss and seek help from a relative in Hong Kong. Young martial artist Tang Lung (Bruce Lee) arrives to settle the escalating conflict between the restaurant staff and the gangsters.

It all quite simple and straightforward, but Bruce Lee’s iconic appearance, the film’s many humorous comedic elements and the final fight between Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris are the making of the brisk, crowd-pleasing film.

Enter the Dragon (1973) was Bruce Lee’s final completed film appearance before his death on 20 July 1973 at the age of 32.

© Derek Winnert 2024 – Classic Movie Review 13,061

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