poe426 Interesting artifact for those who think that Jackie Chan's always been a "fall guy" for comedy. This one's about as straight-laced as they come, with some solid action and a storyline that keeps moving at a nice pace. Director Lo Wei oversaw at least TWO of the most important martial arts movies in history: THE BIG BOSS (FISTS OF FURY) and FIST OF FURY (THE Chinese CONNECTION); his reputation is therefore assured. DRAGON FIST boasts some nice cinematography to enhance the martial arts, but it's the choice of music I found most interesting: throughout the movie, we hear Jerry Goldsmith's score for the 1968 version of PLANET OF THE APES. It's sorta similar to hearing the unmistakable strains of the Isaac Hayes score for SHAFT throughout Wang Yu's classic fantasy, ONE-ARMED BOXER (or the theme from IRONSIDE in FIVE FINGERS OF DEATH, etc.)- and, like Wang Yu, Lo Wei's placement of the music is inspired. James Tien does a nice job as a turncoat, but this is definitely a Jackie Chan vehicle.

Shawn McKenna After production of Spiritual Kung Fu and subsequent shelving of that product, Lo Wei directed Jackie Chan in a somber revenge film named Dragon Fist. Distributors were also not interested in this film so it was shelved not to see the light of release until after the success of Snake in the Eagle's Shadow. It is an uneven yet interesting work that is devoid of the humor that is so prevalent in most of Jackie's movies, but has an interesting plot.Jackie's plays Tang How-Yuen (a Bruce Lee influenced character that did not fit well to Jackie's personality); an orphan that was adopted by Chang San-Thye leader of the Kang Kun school. He watched his master get killed by Chung Chien-Kuen (master of the Patience Clan played by Yam Sai-kwoon) who coveted a sign Chang won at a previous tournament. Chung actually had an ulterior motive his wife was the lover of Chang years before they were married. Because of this unholy revenge, Chung's wife hung herself so the gods would forgive Chung.On the eve of the third anniversary of his Master's death, Tang along with Su Ming (Nora Miao) and his Master's wife go in search of revenge of Chang's death. Meanwhile, there was several murders at a logging facility when the Patience Clan happened upon a smuggling facility of the Wei Clan. A member of the Patience Clan survived and pointed the finger at Fat Su who was currently employed for the Wei Clan. This pushes their leader, Wei Chang-Lung, to devise a plan to destroy the Patience Clan who are well respected in that region.Tang is welcomed to the Patience Clan, though watched under the eyes of Chung's daughter Chu Peng and right-hand man (James Tien who in an earlier scene unconvincingly beats Nan Sing, played by great kicker Eagle Han Yin.) He is told to come back in three days, on the eve of a special date for Chung. When How-Yuen comes back he shown a golden sign that was made to replace the one Chung destroyed and he showed him his leg-in-a-box. Tang's mother then prevents him from exacting revenge since Chung already has made his penance. Tang is ready to leave when he finds out that his mother has been poisoned and the Wei Clan have the antidote. This sets an uneasy alliance between Tang and the Wei Clan.I feel here is where the plot breaks down a bit after the nice turn of events. The James Tien character is a copy (semi-spoiler alert) of many of his previous characters (ala Half a Loaf of Kung Fu) and Jackie is not having fun with his grim character. Where this film does shine is the good score by Frankie Chan, the beautiful scenery and the excellent fight choreography by Jackie. This especially works when he is involved showing his acrobatic movements and more realistic fight movements. Though it does not work as well when the non-martial art actors are involved. But the ending is full of inventive fights including Jackie using a staff (again) and getting pummeled by a sharp-ton-fa wielding opponent.Dragon Fist is an above average Kung Fu flick that would be of interest to anyone who wants to watch the non-comedic roles that dominated Jackie's early career. However, those who are only familiar with his latter roles might be disappointed. Overall, I enjoyed this film, but if you have only seen a few Jackie Chan films there are plenty others to watch before viewing this one.

wucan If you're a recent Jackie Chan convert, or you've been watching his films since 'Police Story' his backlog of seventies films is a daunting place. There's a lot of terrible, terrible stuff out there. You might have seen 'Eagle Shadow Fist' or 'The Killer Meteors' and shied away from anything else. I wouldn't blame you. But he made some decent films in this era. It's just a matter of finding them.The Director of Dragon Fist is a man called Lo Wei. I say a man, not a director. Lo Wei was more interested in Gambling than directing.Bruce Lee nearly came to blows with Wei in the filming of 'Fist of Fury'. Wei spent more time listening to horse racing and sleeping than he did with a megaphone. The result? Lee got his own input. Better movie. That's maybe the point with Lo Wei. The less he directs, the more the other people direct. And that could be a good thing.Lo Wei director or produced (almost) all of Jackie Chan's films between 1976 and 1978. Chan = Lee. That was the plan. At first anyway. His first starring role in this period was 'New Fist of Fury'. It didn't work. Wei was trying too hard. When he sleeps the stars talent takes over. Anyway, Chan can't play straight. Or can he?Most of us will be cursed to see Dragon Fist in it's 4:3 pan and scan, poorly dubbed, damaged washed out version. Even taking this into account I think it's the best film Jackie did before 'Snake in the Eagles shadow.' (yes 'Snake and Crane arts of Shaolin' had the best action, but it wasn't as good a film.)This film is crying out for a remake.It takes the simple themes of revenge and distorts them till your not sure who's in the wrong. Or Right.Yam Sai-Kun plays the bad guy. One of his earliest roles. He's a hard, hard man. In the late 60's he swam from China to Hong Kong with the aid of a basketball. He later played roles in Films such as 'Fearless Hyena' and 'Iron Monkey'. But this role, like Iron Robe Yen in 'Once Upon a Time in China' is one of his most psychologically complex. He chops off his leg early on to try and ease his guilt. His self redemption seems, to this viewer, to excuse him of his crime. That makes things more uncomfortable when it's the very crime that Jackie's out to avenge. Jackie, in his role as avenger, blurs the line between good and evil. He joins the 'bad guys' (to comply with the black and white polarisation of these films). He goes too far. But he goes further. There's always a point when you think. 'Come on Jackie, realise that your fighting for the wrong side, beat the hell out of them.' But he still fights. It's a dark film.Budget constraints. Technological constraints. Lo Wei. Lot's of elements try and turn this film into the 70's schlock it's often compared to. But somehow it rises above all of this. The Choreography varies between the average and the mind blowing. Chan hasn't been better in a straight role until Crime Story (15 years later.) You can probably pick this up for a few pounds. If so it's a good place to start. Enjoy.

CitizenCaine This is another Chan period film with a "revenge for killing my master" plot. Chan has more of a central role in this film than in his previous films. There are several fights in the film involving Chan, but most of them are limited in scope until the final six or seven minutes in the showdown sequence. Then we see one of the better Chan fights amongst all his earlier films. The dubbing isn't the best and the plot is nothing new, nor is its execution. This is a good chance to see Chan in one of his earlier efforts where he has a central role, unlike many of the films where he has a smaller supporting role. There is no sense of humor here either, as Chan's later films have. Overall, typical of its kind, not up to later Chan efforts. *1/2 of 4 stars.