The Way of the Dragon (1972)
Directed by Bruce Lee
After a Chinese restaurant in Rome is threatened by the mafia, who will stop at nothing to acquire the property, the owner recruits a family friend in Hong Kong, kung fu expert Tang Lung, to help them defend their business.
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What critics compared The Way of the Dragon to
He respected Muhammad Ali (or Cassius Clay as named in the film), even incorporating some of his trademark moves in The Way of the Dragon.
The other actors are just kind of there as fodder but it is notable that Chuck Norris provides Lee’s biggest foil (some of the footage was reused for Game of Death in 1978).
For example, Robert Wall, a villain in both The Way of the Dragon and Enter the Dragon, plays a kickboxer named Carl Miller who must battle with Billy Lo.
Think about it, Whang was already in Hong Kong making Hapkido and The Way of the Dragon back to back.
Today, it remains a one of the most revered martial arts films ever made, but for as much of an impact as it and Lee's prior movies The Big Boss , Fist of Fury , and The Way of the Dragon would have, everything points to Game of Death being remembered as Lee's biggest masterpiece if he'd been able to fully realize it.
The shift in tone and quality is jarring when Bruce finally shows up in the final 10 minutes with every bit of charisma he ever had. Bruce Lee was always passionate about his martial philosophy, and he focused on presenting it through his films — particularly The Way of the Dragon and the unfinished Game of Death .