It was meant to be Bruce Lee’s comeback to the American cinema after some time away in Hong Kong making movies like THE BIG BOSS and FIST OF FURY. Instead, it became a near-perfect epitaph to a career that sadly ended with his death in 1973.
ENTER THE DRAGON has been quoted by many as the greatest Martial Arts film of all time, alongside the likes of THE 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN. Designed by Lee as the perfect opportunity, it is the tale of Lee, a member of the Shaolin Temple, who is recruited by Braithwaite (Geoffrey Weeks), who represents a Government agency in Hong Kong (back when it was under British rule) to infiltrate the island of a Mr. Han, who runs a Martial Arts tournament every three years. The goal – to gather intel on the operation he has with a view to getting at Han.
When Lee learns that his sister died at the hands of Han’s right hand bodyguard Oharra, he jumps at the chance for revenge. On the boat to the island, he sees Roper (John Saxon) and Williams (Jim Kelly), who are both escaping their own problems.
On the island, Lee discovers the dark intent of Han’s desires, of which the tournament is a front.
This is first and foremost an action yarn based around a simple James Bond-style plot, but it is purely a showcase for Lee to demonstrate why he became the Martial Arts legend he was. A great score by Lalo Schifrin adds to the fun.