Circle of Iron (2-Disc Special Edition)

Description

The Adventure Epic Written By Bruce Lee - His Dream Project He Never Lived To See!

At the height of his international fame, the legendary Bruce Lee - along with his friend and student James Coburn and OscarÂ® -winning screenwriter Stirling Silliphant - began to write what he believed would be the greatest achievement of his film career. Five years after his mysterious death, Lee's vision would finally be realized. David Carradine (KILL BILL), Christopher Lee (THE LORD OF THE RINGS), Roddy McDowall (PLANET OF THE APES) and Eli Wallach (THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY) star in this acclaimed cult hit that brings Lee's personal philosophy to the screen with a still-potent combination of mysticism, humor and martial arts mayhem.

Amazon.com

Bruce Lee and James Coburn conceived the story for this unusual blend of fantasy, martial arts adventure, and Zen mysticism that should please cult-movie collectors and action aficionados with a taste for the offbeat. The bland but serviceable Jeff Cooper stars as a lone warrior who sets out to find the mysterious Book of All Knowledge. He faces numerous physical challenges on his journey, chief among them David Carradine in four roles (including a half-man, half-monkey), as well as numerous philosophical conundrums. While the dialogue by Sterling Silliphant (In the Heat of the Night) and Stanley Mann (Eye of the Needle) occasionally teeters into self-parody, the action and pace rarely lags, and the fine supporting cast, which includes Christopher Lee, Eli Wallach, and Roddy McDowall, lends a degree of gravity to the proceedings. One wonders how the film would have played with Lee in the cast (it had been a pet project of his for years, but was completed years after his death), but the end result is certainly watchable and entertaining. Blue Underground's DVD includes a wealth of extras, including a typically laid-back interview with Carradine, commentary by director Richard Moore, trailers and TV spots, an alternate title sequence, and, most intriguing of all, Lee's original script with Coburn and Silliphant (accessible only via DVD-ROM). --Paul Gaita

Description

The Adventure Epic Written By Bruce Lee - His Dream Project He Would Never Live To See!

At the height of his international fame, the legendary Bruce Lee - along with his friend and student James Coburn and Oscar®-winning screenwriter Stirling Silliphant - began to write what he believed would be the greatest achievement of his film career. Five years after his mysterious death, Lee's vision would finally be realized. David Carradine (KILL BILL), Christopher Lee (THE LORD OF THE RINGS), Roddy McDowall (PLANET OF THE APES) and Eli Wallach (THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY) star in this acclaimed cult hit that brings Lee's personal philosophy to the screen with a still-potent combination of mysticism, humor and martial arts mayhem.

CIRCLE OF IRON - also known as THE SILENT FLUTE - has now been remastered from its original negative and features exclusive Extras that honor the legacy of Bruce Lee, including an all-new interview with David Carradine.

"The Most Elaborate And Most Beautiful Martial Arts Film To Ever Come Our Way!" -The New York Post

"Striking And Surrealistic!" -The Soho News

EXTRAS INCLUDE:
• Playing The Silent Flute: Interview With Star David Carradine
• Audio Commentary with Director Richard Moore
• Bruce Lee's The Silent Flute: A History By Davis Miller & Klae Moore (text essay)
• Alternate Title Sequence
• Theatrical Trailer
• TV Spots
• Poster & Still Galleries
• First Draft Script By Bruce Lee, James Coburn & Stirling Silliphant (DVD-Rom)

Customer Reviews:

Circle of Iron.......2007-05-12

A classic of Zen Philosophy. A bit far-fetched, but nevertheless entertaining and funny.

GREAT MOVIE ! Unique and interesting.......2007-04-29

This is one of my all time favorite movies ... every line is clever and the scenery and soundtrack music are beautiful ... the fight scenes are some of Carradine's best ... I love the simple but clever plot, the moods and the cinematography ... it takes you to a different place and time ... When i was a kid i would watch this over and over on late night Cinemax. I would put this movie in with the likes of Excalibur (another of my favorites). If you like Excalibur, get this movie. This one is much lower budget but a hidden gem.

The Silent Flute.......2007-04-07

"Circle of Iron" is either a whimsical martial arts movie or a profound exploration of the nature of man, depending on how seriously the viewer takes the philosophical side of martial arts. Based on a story by Bruce Lee, the movie features a quest by a young martial artist named Cord (played by game good humor by Jeff Cooper), who is in search of a mysterious book of knowledge. He is sometimes accompanied on his journey by a blind seer (played by David Carradine) who alternately teaches and challenges young Cord. The seer seems to materialize almost at random along the journey, announcing himself by playing a "silent flute' that only Cord can hear. In a remarkably versatile performance, David Carradine also plays a series of opponents Cord must confront in his journey to the book. The solid supporting cast includes Christopher Lee, Eli Wallach, and Roddy McDowell.

The movie alternates between the mythic landscape over which Cord travels, and the various set-piece but not always obvious obstacles he must overcome. Cord starts out believing that fighting is the solution to every challenge, but comes to understand that more subtle arts must be learned. At the heart of the movie is Cord's slow journey to self-knowledge, one finally fulfilled at his destination on a distant island presided over by a order of monks who guard the book of knowledge

This movie is recommended to fans of the early days of the martial arts genre, of which this movie is a better than average example. Both the humor and the philosophy are gentle, and the fighting sequences are more rhythmic than brutal. Be sure to watch an included interview with David Carradine for some insights on the making of the movie.

Mystery.......2007-03-28

Unfortunately they cut out the most part of the "DEATH"- sequence, so that the film lacks in coherence.

Interesting Find.......2007-03-22

I found this film at a video store, it was a special $.99 rental. It was the first time I have ever seen this film. I was draw to it with the mention of Bruce Lee and David Carradine.

Now that I have watched the film and found out a little of its back story, I find the film passable at best and frankly wouldn't mind seeing it remade. David Carradine himself is great but as you watch the film you find that you wish he either took the role of Cord for himself, or he just added it to the other 4 he was already playing. Cooper is practically unwatchable. Though I did enjoy some of the notable stars in the film, I could have done without the scene involving Eli Wallach as it was a silly addition that was not needed.

The martial arts in the film are enjoyable though at times slowly paced, David does well seperating each of his characters even during the fight scenes.

I would also like to note, though Lee may have developed this story, he himself did not possess the acting chops to play the roles Carradine played, at least not as well as David did. Now the seeker, Lee could have done alot with that role. It is a shame he did not live long enough to have been involved.

I do reccomend this film to all those that enjoy martial arts in general and Carradine in particular.

Average customer rating:

Red Bull Lord of the Floor 2
Starring: J-Rocc from the World Famous Beat Junkies;Kutfather;Jo Koy;Stylelements (Remind & Crumbs);Floor Brats (Kamel & El Nino);HaviKoro (Moy & Lil John);Massive Monkees (Twixx & Jeromeskee);Ground Zero (Bebe & BooRok);LA Breakers (Ruen & Flave);Rythm Bugz (Iron Monkey & Erik);Circle of Fire (Free & Orb)
Director: Bob Foxhoven
Manufacturer: Universal Journey
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000E117RU
Release Date: 2003-03-01

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