Bruce Lee’s The Way of the Dragon Set the Stage for Enter the Dragon

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Bruce Lee is widely considered a martial arts legend, and he certainly brought incredible energy and skill to the big screen – all within a tragically short life. He first gained recognition through television and early Hong Kong films like Thunderstorm, but truly revolutionized martial arts movies in the 1970s. Audiences were captivated by his unique style and incredible fighting ability, establishing him as a definitive action hero. His untimely death in 1973 left fans wondering what he might have achieved with a longer career. Before Lee’s films, martial arts movies weren’t widely popular.

The Shaw Brothers were pioneers in early martial arts films, but Golden Harvest quickly became a major player too. Their collaboration with Bruce Lee resulted in some of the most memorable movies in the genre. Although fans often point to Enter the Dragon as Lee’s greatest work, he made many films throughout the 1970s. A common thread throughout these Hong Kong action movies was creative disagreements between Lee and the filmmakers. The only exception seemed to be Enter the Dragon (1973). Interestingly, the film that paved the way for Enter the Dragon – released just a year earlier – also involved these creative clashes.

The Way of the Dragon Was Bruce Lee’s Most Personal Film

Bruce Lee’s collaboration with Golden Harvest in the 1970s was a turning point for martial arts movies. Lee’s films revolutionized the genre, and he’s widely recognized for introducing a fresh style and boosting its popularity. However, it wasn’t until the release of Enter the Dragon in 1973, directed in collaboration with American filmmaker Robert Clouse, that the genre truly took off. Having an American distributor significantly expanded the film’s reach and further propelled martial arts movies forward. Before this success, Lee had already established his signature fighting style in three Hong Kong films.

Many fans may not know how influential these early films were, and how they paved the way for Enter the Dragon. During the making of The Big Boss and Fist of Fury, Bruce Lee faced some disagreements about the creative direction. This led him to take more control with his 1972 film, The Way of the Dragon. Leveraging his growing popularity in America, Lee began to increasingly blend Hong Kong and American filmmaking styles.

Beyond being a showcase of his skills, The Way of the Dragon feels like Bruce Lee’s most personal movie, even if it didn’t quite reach his expectations. The film came about because Lee didn’t want to collaborate with Wei Lo again, which unexpectedly led him to write and direct it himself – a valuable learning experience. Lee discovered that it was difficult to deliver his best work when he was both directing and starring in a film. He also learned the importance of having well-known names involved to attract a wider audience.

Bruce Lee’s The Way of the Dragon is best known for the epic fight between Lee and Chuck Norris, a scene that remains a highlight of his filmography. The fight is remarkably well-choreographed and filmed. This 1972 movie was also Bruce Lee’s most personal project, and the climactic fight scene was central to the entire story.

The Way of the Dragon Is the Perfect Precursor to Enter the Dragon

Bruce Lee’s fans recognize that his film The Way of the Dragon was a crucial stepping stone to his more famous Enter the Dragon. While all of his early films are now celebrated, they weren’t always well-received at the time. Because Lee had complete creative control over The Way of the Dragon, it’s considered his most personal work. It doesn’t get as much attention as Enter the Dragon simply because it’s not a perfect film. In fact, The Way of the Dragon might be Lee’s most imperfect movie, but it was also incredibly important to his development as a filmmaker.

The film The Way of the Dragon follows a Hong Kong man who travels to Italy to assist a friend’s niece with her new restaurant. While the plot shares similarities with The Big Boss – Bruce Lee’s character, Tang Lung, protects a restaurant from local gangsters – the film boasts an intriguing setting and moments of brilliance. Though the premise suggests a truly great movie, it doesn’t consistently reach its full potential.

While The Way of the Dragon has some issues with its structure, tone, and pacing, it did give audiences a taste of how exciting it would be to see Bruce Lee fight memorable opponents. The fight between Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris is the film’s highlight and remains one of Lee’s most famous scenes. Despite the movie’s flaws, this fight perfectly captured the kind of film fans wanted to see him in. Lee built on this idea for Enter the Dragon, and his collaboration with Robert Clouse resulted in a truly exceptional martial arts film.

Beyond sharing a name, The Way of the Dragon serves as a transition between Bruce Lee’s earlier work and his most famous film. Although the story isn’t its strongest point, this 1972 martial arts movie is still very entertaining and delivers the classic Bruce Lee action his fans love. Viewers will enjoy the film’s unique premise and exciting climax, and it’s interesting to see how it set the stage for Enter the Dragon.

Bruce Lee Almost Made Another Martial Arts Masterpiece Following Enter the Dragon

Bruce Lee’s untimely death remains painful for his family, friends, and fans, but it also represents a significant loss for cinema. He was just beginning to hit his stride with Enter the Dragon and had a clear vision for future martial arts films. Tragically, he was actively developing new projects, including a reunion with director Robert Clouse for Game of Death. While its success wasn’t certain, the cancellation of Game of Death meant the world lost out on what could have been another fantastic film from a true visionary.

Bruce Lee sadly passed away in 1973 while filming Game of Death, before it was completed. Golden Harvest finished the film and released it in 1978, but it didn’t fully capture Lee and director Robert Clouse’s original idea. Fans often speculate about what Game of Death could have been and whether it might have surpassed Enter the Dragon. While Enter the Dragon boasts a perfect storyline and remains a classic, Game of Death may not have reached the same heights. However, Lee’s death didn’t mean the end of great martial arts films. The genre has continued to develop over the decades, and he likely would have created even more incredible movies if he had lived. Regardless, everyone recognizes Bruce Lee’s lasting influence – he fundamentally shaped the martial arts genre and helped make it what it is today.

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2025-11-09 20:14