Written by: Michael Den Boer on April 30th, 2004
Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, December 30th, 1972
Director: Bruce Lee
Writer: Bruce Lee
Cast: Bruce Lee, Nora Miao, Chuck Norris
DVD Released: May 21st, 2002
Approximate Running Time: 90 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Non-Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: R
Sound: Dolby Digital Mono
DVD Release: Fox
Region Coding: Region 1 NTSC
Retail Price: $14.98
Synopsis: Chen Ching Hua (Nora Miao), has inherited a popular Chinese restaurant in Rome. She asks her uncle in Hong Kong for help when evil Mafia Boss (Jon T. Benn) tries to take over her business. An illness prevents her uncle from coming so he sends his friend Tang Lung (Bruce lee) in his place. The Boss sends thugs to take care of Tang, as he quickly disposes them all.
When a gunman is sent to take care of Tang in Chen’s apartment Tang thrashes them with his Kung Fu. Chen tries to impress Tang with the wonders of Rome. More Assassins are sent in to get ride of Tang, luckily he brought along his nunchakus to crack their skulls. Chen worried wants Tang to leave for his own protection. Tang fights on even though he is out numbered, he refuses to give up. The final showdown takes place in the Roman Coliseum between lee and Chuck Norris.
After the success of The Big Boss and Fists of Fury Bruce Lee would gain more control in the filmmaking process. His next film Way of The Dragon AKA Return of The Dragon, Bruce Lee would make his directorial debut. Enter The Dragon is regarded as Bruce Lee’s masterpiece, but Return of The Dragon is the only completed film that he had total control. Lee’s grace and power are evident in his visionary fight choreography. The Duel between Lee and Chuck Norris is breathtaking in its execution and it is one of martial arts greatest duels. Unsatisfied with the work of director Lo Wei, who had directed Lee’s first two, films for Golden Harvest. lee would insist on directing his next film Return of the Dragon and through his writing, acting and directing he would deliver his most rounded character of his career.
The DVD:
Presented in it’s original 2:35:1 aspect ratio, that would have benefited from being anamorphic. The Transfer is a little rough and marks, scratches, specks, shimmering, light flashes, vertical lines and some grain all appear throughout the film. The colors are natural, but they occasionally appear muted and the image is soft.
Presented in Dolby 2.0 Mono in English (Dubbed) and too bad they didn’t included the original Cantonese, because these are some of worst dubbing jobs I have heard too date. The mono tracks are adequate with clear dialogue though on occasion, the voices jump in volume. Optional English subtitles have been included.
This DVD is a Barebones affair and it is a sub par DVD for martial arts classic that will have to do for now tell a better DVD comes along. If you are a fan of Martial arts, Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris I recommend you check this movie out.