Enter The Dragon - Special Edition
In 1973 Enter the Dragon was released world wide and Bruce Lees place in history was secured. It was the last completed film by Bruce Lee.
This is a review of the recently released Special Edition from Warner Brothers.
Film premise:
A Shaolin master is recruited to infiltrate a martial art tournament which is being held on a remote island by Han a man who runs.....
In 1973 Enter the Dragon was released world wide and Bruce Lees place in history was secured. It was the last completed film by Bruce Lee.
This is a review of the recently released Special Edition from Warner Brothers.
Film premise:
A Shaolin master is recruited to infiltrate a martial art tournament which is being held on a remote island by Han a man who runs a drug ring.
Film review:
I have seen this film more times than I care to remember, but I never tire of it.
I personally think that this is one of the greatest Martial Art films of all time.
It doesn’t have all of the digital effects and wire fu that we see in today’s martial art films but it has everything else. Great acting, Great Music and Bruce Lee at his best.
This film is extremely entertaining from classic lines such as “Man, you come right out of a comic book” to great fight scenes,
This film has been available to the public for more than 30 years and I think that if you are contemplating buying this DVD then you already know the plot and that it’s a great films, so you do not need me to tell you about it.
Verdict: 9/10
Video Quality:
The feature is presented in 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen. The colours on the whole were very bright and vivid on certain occasions though you could see slight bleeding of the colours.
Dust was troublesome throughout the film it was not serious but it was there and it did distract me on more than one occasion. Film grain is also a problem it was not a major issue but it was there, but you could argue that the film was created in the 70’s and this is the effect that they were aiming for, the “documentary feel” like William Friedkin did with The French Connection.
I understand that this is an old film, over 30 years in fact but with today’s technology they could have improved the transfer. On a plus side I did not notice any edge enhancement or compression artefacts.
Verdict: 7/10
Sound Quality:
The sound is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1.
The front channels have been separated and are used very well throughout the feature. The rear channels however are rarely used, they mainly duplicate the front channels but at an extremely low volume, the surround sound did not create an immersive, enthralling experience which is a shame but on the whole the sound is was clean. I did not detect any sign of distortion.
Verdict: 6.5/10
Commentary - The commentary features Paul Heller the producer of Enter the Dragon. The commentary has a multiple large gaps where Paul Heller does not commentate. He didn’t really offer any great insight into the making of this film but occasionally he did offer some interesting anecdotes.
Near the start of this commentary he gets a phone call from Michael Allan, yes you read that right a phone call.
Michael Allan commentates throughout the feature with Paul Heller and it did become irritating listening to someone on a telephone.
Verdict: 5/10
Blood and Steel: Making of Enter the Dragon – Most of the actors and crews member give their views on what it was like creating Enter the Dragon. We also see some home movies than Ahna Capri filmed on a super 8 camera during the making of the film. This documentary is great I found it very entertaining and it should be watch just for the behind the scenes film that Ahna Capri made. Everybody offers fascinating anecdotes, the running time is approximately 30 minutes.
Bruce Lee: In his own words – Bruce Lee gives his views on Martial Arts. His interview is broken up with clips from Enter the Dragon. Near the end of this featurette, Photographs and film clips from Bruce Lee's life is shown while a song plays. It is a very interesting and touching feature and it should not be missed by anyone, Bruce Lee fan or not you should watch this.
Linda lee Cadwell Interview Gallery – This is a series of interviews featuring Bruce Lee’s wife, Linda Lee Cadwell. You can play these as one long interview or watch each snippet individually.
She offers great insight into Bruce Lee’s life before and during filming of Enter the Dragon. It is very entertaining and it is worth revisiting.
Lair of the Dragon –we can watch Bruce Lee training in the “backyard workout with Bruce” It’s a very short entertaining featurette.
There is also a 1973 featurette which is a vintage making of documentary where see behind the scenes footage which again is highly entertaining.
Verdict: 8/10
Disc 2:
• "Curse of the Dragon" - An examination of the Lee legacy - 83 minutes.
• John Little's feature length biography "Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey" featuring a meticulous reconstruction of Lee's intended cut of The Game of Death - 100 minutes.
• Four theatrical trailers & Seven TV spots
As this was a press release version of this DVD I did not have the second disc to review so I cannot comment on these extra special features.
If and when I get the chance to review the second disc I will update this review.
Packaging – You will get a very nice red digipack containing both DVD’s. It appears to be sturdy so it should last you a while.
Verdict: 9/10
Final Verdict:
This is a classic film that should not be missed by anyone. This DVD contains hours of viewing material and will fill the appetite of even the most demanding DVD junkie.
I cannot comment on whether or not you should buy this even if you own the previous edition because I have not been able to view the second disc. But from what I have seen it is great value for money and I will not hesitate ordering it.
I was disappointed with the quality of the commentary it should have been of a much higher quality, having someone commentate while on the telephone is not my idea of fun and I am sure it will irritate you as it did me.
I thoroughly enjoyed watching the special features and they are definitely worth watching more than once. So go and buy it now and complete your Bruce Lee collection.
Final Verdict: 8/10
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