Search - Return of the Dragon on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Not For Children, Adult Language Movie Release: 1973 DVD Release: 05/21/2002 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Edition: Special Collection Audio Tracks: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 30 mins Studio: 20th Century Fox Members Wishing: 4 Genres: Action, Martial Arts

Bruce Lee's pre-Enter the Dragon outing is a surprising change of pace from his usual hard-hitting action fare because it favors humor as much as it does kung-fu. It's also notable because it represents Lee's only venture as a director. For the most part, Return of the Dragon works thanks to its charismatic star. Lee shows great comic timing in the humorous set pieces in addition to the usual physical prowess he displays during the action scenes. He also manages to utilize both skills at once on occasion, the best example being a scene where he squares off with a group of mobster goons at a restaurant. It also benefits from its picturesque Italian setting (a novel location for a kung-fu film) and an impressive fight finale between Lee and Chuck Norris (making his film debut). On the down side, the film's low-budget shows and the other performers all pretty much pale in comparison to Lee. However, the real flaw with Return of the Dragon lies in its ending, which features a last-minute twist that doesn't work because it is too unexpectedly tragic for a film that had previously been so lighthearted. Despite this misstep, it remains a likeable blend of kung-fu and comedy that is likely to bring a smile to the face of Bruce Lee fans. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide

Bruce Lee - Tang Lung
Nora Miao - Chen Ching Hua
Chuck Norris - Colt
Malisa Longo
Robert Wall - Fred
Sho Kosugi - Japanese Fighter
Tony Liu - Tony
Ch'eng Pin Chih
Chu'eng Li
Huang Jen Chih
Liu Yun
Mali Sha

Bruce Lee directed himself in the kung-fu spectacular Return of the Dragon. The film comes to DVD with a widescreen transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1. A closed-captioned English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital Mono. English subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include a theatrical trailer. This 20th Century Fox release should greatly appeal to Lee fans as well as genre enthusiasts, but there is little here to appeal to the average DVD consumer. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide