Iron Dragon Strikes Back on DVD again! =)

[mpm74]

http://www.cityonfire.com/quickimages/IronDragonStrikesBackGoldConnection.jpg

Hmmm... could this be the original?

[Chia Ling AKA Judy Lee]

Just how many films is this film? 8o

[Markgway]

Rare............... circa 2007.

[mpm74]

Markgway.... lol!

[mpm74]

http://www.cityonfire.com/quickimages/IronDragon728x90.gif

I'm not trying to make sales, i just think everyone should check this thing out while it's still in print! =)

This DVD goes for like $30 on ebay; but hkflix.com has some! =)

[spannick]

is this in Full 2.35 or the same cropped 1.66 crap as the UK DVD, which can be gotten very cheat? is it uncut? does it have English and Chinese Audio with Subtitles?

[killer meteor]

The UK DVD is weird. It's mostly Mandarin, but some parts are in English and some parts are no dialogue but subtitles are there.

The EVG is the same visually from what I've heard, 1.66:1 widescreen. So was their Image Of Bruce Lee, both of which are almost impossible to find

[inchilottaP]

This DVD goes for like $30 on ebay; but hkflix.com has some! =)

If I wasn't so lazy i'd grab the few copies in the mall I always see that they sell for about $10 and put them on ebay or grab a copy for myself.

Bruce Lee films never set my world on fire to begin with so I can't be bothered with an imitator flick.

[Linn1]

Bruce Lee films never set my world on fire to begin with so I can't be bothered with an imitator flick.

It's got nothing to do with Lee, and is one of the better thriller based modern day action films from HK made during the period. There's a few Bruce Li films that deserve respect, and this is certainly one of them IMO.

[spannick]

there could be a much more Widescreen DVD coming from Germany. not confirmed yet; but if it happens, will be a Special Edition with Extras.

[Markgway]

'The Gold Connection' is an appallingly bad film, probably the worst 'Bruce Li' flick I've seen, alongside 'The Man, The Myth'. 'Dynamo' and 'Return of the Tiger' aren't good as such, but they're definately better than this drivel.

[killer meteor]

What you mean the one where Bruce Li and Ho Chung Tao find the gold? That's a great film Mark.

Deadly Strike, now there is a terrible film!

I wish we could get more Ho Chung Tao movies in widescreen. He's really underrated

[Markgway]

What you mean the one where Bruce Li and Ho Chung Tao find the gold?

What? Both of them? :p

That's a great film Mark.

It's rubbish.

[Chinatown Kid]

I disagree, Bruce Li has made some bad films for sure, but Gold Connection and Dynamo are not among them.

[Linn1]

It's rubbish.

Wow, tell us how you really feel. The Gold Connection is a good modern day action film with a nasty edge to it.

[mpm74]

'The Gold Connection' is an appallingly bad film, probably the worst 'Bruce Li' flick I've seen, alongside 'The Man, The Myth'. 'Dynamo' and 'Return of the Tiger' aren't good as such, but they're definately better than this drivel.

Wow. Are you sure you're talking about the right film? =)

[Knetan]

hey,

fellas, remember that this is Markgway. His opinion often differs a bit from yours. ;)

[Markgway]

Yeah, I'm talking about GOLD CONNECTION.

"Drab, cheap, sloppy, badly directed rot."

(Some choice adjectives I noted in my review)

I'm amazed there's so much support for it.

I know Kung Fu fans are off the radar when it comes to good filmmaking -- but seriously, folks, come on! :p

I did say that DYNAMO was better, though mediocre.

If I ever see a genuinely good Ho Tsung Tao movie I'll be sure and let you guys know............... :hat

[Linn1]

are you comparing films production-wise to films from the same period in Hong Kong or Taiwan? Reason I ask, is Gold Connection looks like many crime/action films made at the time in Hong Kong. The directors at the time aped the Cinéma vérité style popular with crime films of the period, including The French Connection for which it's named. Part of the point is to be cheap, drap, and sloppy, to capture film as if it is reality.

[mpm74]

Markgway, where can i read your review? (I know, I should know this!)

[Dahnamics]

whats the best copy of this movie to get??? i got the original poster haning over my bed.. which is kinda scary to the ladies cuz it looks like eric estrada is swingin nunchucks at them, lol.. but ya itd be nice to own the movie.

[mpm74]

which is kinda scary to the ladies cuz it looks like eric estrada is swingin nunchucks at them, lol.. but ya itd be nice to own the movie.

LOL!

They must have made 400,000 of these posters. they're always on ebay for very cheap. Original, too (I think).

I have one, too... and he does look like Eric Estrada.

[Markgway]

are you comparing films production-wise to films from the same period in Hong Kong or Taiwan? Reason I ask, is Gold Connection looks like many crime/action films made at the time in Hong Kong. The directors at the time aped the Cinéma vérité style popular with crime films of the period, including The French Connection for which it's named. Part of the point is to be cheap, drap, and sloppy, to capture film as if it is reality.

The French Connection?? :rollin

Lol, if that's true, they're even more misguided than I thought.

I felt it wasn't gritty, just cheap. The movies of Alex Cheung are gritty. But I wasn't comparing it to any style in particular, just saying what I saw.

It was a badly made movie. Can't think of anything positive to say about it.

[zenon34788]

I don't know why this guy spends hours posting on every asian board on the net since he hates all martial arts movies that Jackie Chan is not in. He should get a life instead of bitching about the movies we love.

[mpm74]

Markgway, but you said it was one of Bruce Li's worst...

you mean, you mean to tell me, that, that ENTER THE PANTHER or FIST OF FURY III are better?

=)

Stop meddling, otherwise you'll be sorry!

[Markgway]

I don't know why this guy spends hours posting on every asian board on the net since he hates all martial arts movies that Jackie Chan is not in. He should get a life instead of bitching about the movies we love.

Blow me, troll! :hat

[Chan Wah Shun]

I'm glad to see that a) everyone has a right to thier own opinion in this board without being hasseled, and b) they can intellectually defend thier opinion without resorting to profanity.

[mpm74]

Wouldn't be a "discussion" board if a subject stopped at someone's opinion. =)

[Markgway]

I'm glad to see that a) everyone has a right to thier own opinion in this board without being hasseled, and b) they can intellectually defend thier opinion without resorting to profanity.

So you think the following post was worth giving a sensible response to...?

I don't know why this guy spends hours posting on every asian board on the net since he hates all martial arts movies that Jackie Chan is not in. He should get a life instead of bitching about the movies we love.

[morgoth]

How the hell canyou not like Iron Dragon Strkes Back?

[Markgway]

Just take 'not' out of the question and then answer it yourself.

[morgoth]

My question is clear enough. It's not my fault you don't have an answer for it.

[WalkOn]

Definitely one of my favorite Ho Chung Tao flicks! I haven't seen it in a minute, so it's about that time to check it out again. This is the Bruce Li I enjoy watching. He seemed very comfortable in these type of roles.

[morgoth]

It is well directed. That is for sure. Maybe Markgway does not watch a lot of old schol fu, but it is a good independent production, espcecially when compared to most Bruce Li movies.

[Chinatown Kid]

Gold Connection is something a little different from Li's other movies. It is dark, bleak, and suspenceful and the story keeps you interested until the very end. The fights are choregraphed well with a good feeling of desperation. It's a crime thriller mixed with martial arts and I think the product turned out well. The finale with Li vs killer Ko Fei was a highlight.

Everybody's not going to like the same thing and Mark has a right to voice his opinion about the film as well. If he thinks it's rubbish then more power to him as people look for different things in films. Most consider this one of Li's best films though and I have to agree. Even though Li has made some stinkers in his career he has also made some very good films and I don't think he gets the respect he deserves.....

[morgoth]

Markgway just keeps saying it's bad in every post, but doesn't want to elaborate. All I can do is shrug my shoulders.

[Knetan]

hey,

read it all in his book? ;)

[Markgway]

My question is clear enough. It's not my fault you don't have an answer for it.

I don't have to answer any question if I don't want to. Who made you the arbritor of taste? I said I didn't like it and that's it. Case closed. Feel free to disagree but don't dare question the validity of my opinion. And for the record I did mentioned a few posts back reasons why I didn't like it besides the obvious of it being crap. Take a leaf out of Chinatown Kid's book: he disagrees with me but has the grace to accept our differences.

Maybe Markgway does not watch a lot of old schol fu

I'd laugh if I thought you weren't being serious... I fear you are. Of all the times I've slagged off (or defended) a film that goes against the grain of popular opinion this is the first time I felt a real backlash (and over a third-rate Bruce Li movie believe it or not!?!) I stand by my opinion. I've seen about a half-dozen Bruce Li movies and Gold Connection was the worst. And I maintain the film was badly directed (I wish I took note of examples now so I could cite them but if I mentioned it in my notes they must have been there at the time); in fact Kuei Chih Hung has made some of the worst Shaw movies in existance, as well as some quality efforts. That's just how I feel. Accept it.

hey, read it all in his book?

Ken, stop stirring. Sometimes hardcore fans cease to have a sense of humour and I doubt most will know what you're referring to. I think it's worrying when it's suggested that someone (who probably knows more than the insinuator) doesn't have the right to an individual opinion as has happened here. Question my opinion by all means but don't question me as a fan. While we're at it I thought Born Invincible was pants. Discuss.

[inchilottaP]

While we're at it I thought Born Invincible was pants. Discuss.


This forum needs a thread like "overrated movies" or something to that effect so we can all @#%$ all over each other's favorite movies and hate each other.
Not directing that at you Mark, just saying. :b


I could go in to a whole thing about how awful Magnificient Butcher is even though I know you enjoy that dreck of an excuse for a movie but what the hell does that have to do with Iron Dragon Strikes Back? :lol

[Markgway]

I could go in to a whole thing about how awful Magnificient Butcher is even though I know you enjoy that dreck of an excuse for a movie

Why I oughtta!?! :p

I wonder if you'll get the same reception for slagging off a well-loved classic like Magnificent Butcher as I did for Gold Connection?

Maybe it's easier to bash me because I tend to be on my own...?

[fabhui]

I thought 'Gold Connection' was worth a watch but average at best.

While we're at it I thought Born Invincible was pants

Me too! The god awful dub doesn't help things either. Maybe I'd appreciate it more if I saw a subbed version of the movie but I doubt it.

[inchilottaP]

Maybe it's easier to bash me because I tend to be on my own...?

I think it just comes across that you dislike more movies then you actually like.Whether you do or not is of no concern to me.

Rather have a genuine opinion then oh every body loves this movie and so do I every time. :)

Hell, the fight scenes are pretty damn good in Magnificient Butcher.It's just not the only thing i'm watching the movie for of which I found everything else in that movie to be awful.


Also FWIW, Born Invincible.Yea, I didn't like it either but I could see how people would.

[Markgway]

Hell, the fight scenes are pretty damn good in Magnificient Butcher.It's just not the only thing i'm watching the movie for of which I found everything else in that movie to be awful.

Exactly! Obviously I don't agree with this particular example as I enjoyed The Magnificent Butcher as a whole (though I actually prefer Dreadnaught). But like you say I need more than fight scenes for a movie to be classed as good or above average. A lot of times I'll say I didn't like a film only to be met with a half dozen "but the fights were good..." comments like that's the be all and end all of the genre. As it happens I didn't rate the action in Gold Connection anyways, but even if I did, it alone wouldn't be enough. I just have different standards than most, and some it seems can't accept that. I see that as their problem not mine.

[morgoth]

I just asked why you don't like it. I didn't know it was "case closed". Sorry for asking for you to elaborate on why you think it stinks.

[Markgway]

Nah, I'd already given a response, but you thought you'd have a little dig regardless. Don't put the blame on me. To refresh your memory check back when Linn asked the question...

[morgoth]

I read the whole thread already. You gave some one or two word descriptions like "bad directing" and "sloppy". I just asked you to elaborate. Like I said, sorry for asking.

[Chinese Sausage]

A fine movie IMHO. Not Bruce Li's best work, but definitely in his top 5 best films. Low budget, but attention to detail was provided. The fights are some of the best, more street fight style action rather than traditional martial arts.
8)

[Chan Wah Shun]

I feel had it been longer, with more time for character and plot development and I guess one more action scene, this movie would have been a masterpiece. The problem with that is that budget wise the producers, et. al. couldn't make a 2 and a half hour or even 2 hour martial arts film, regardless of the dramatic elements Gold Connection contains. Also, James Ho isn't the most brilliant actor.
I guess besides the action, I like this movie for what it ideally would have been: a Scorsese-esqe movie with kung

[thundered mantis]

I really liked this movie, even more than Blind Fist of Bruce which I think it´s another Bruce Li fine one. Besides what´s been already said, I really liked the variety of filming surroundings which we can see in the movie. It was like a kung fu film with much more varied landscapes. And it was more varied also plot and character wise, plus the finale was a real climax.

The final bout is superb, IMO. Well captured and edited action in a particularly difficult place to film a fight because the very reduced space. Interesting use of props, and again, very varied fightin´(weapons, hand to hand, grappling, tumbling, and, moreover, on the contrary of a lot of fights of the time, just not straight shapes or kickboxing, but a real touch of strategy, hit and go etcetera, very difficult to achieve in the closed space).

I´d be on the line to get the wider version, definitely :D

[Chinatown Kid]

I would love to see Gold Gonnection, Dynamo, The Lama Avenger, Chinese Stuntaman and Soul Brothers all remastered in 2:35.1 widescreen!!! Instead we get one of his worst films(New Game of Death :eek ) given the remastered treatment by Celestial. :rolleyes

[mpm74]

Wow.

Just re-watched Iron Dragon Strikes Back, and damn, i like it even more this time around.

A really good film. Bruce Li's best. Even as a movie, it's just good.

I think the only ones who would dislike this film are people who think Chinese Connection 2 is a great Bruce Li flick.

[Dahnamics]

wordddd.. just got back from the watching this flick.. real good one.. i love phillip ko, man.. ill watch anything with that dude.. i like the ending as well.. somethin different.. i thought this was li's best, i kinda like new game of death tho even tho people said it was garbage.. trna think of his other one i like... hmmm... somethin about a drug deal, i remember some dude has a cat... lol.. lotsa cool disco music including a stylistics cover.. somethin tiger i believe.. ho chung tao is the man!

[ironfistedmonk2003]

Return of the Tiger? that one was pretty good too

[Dahnamics]

ya that's it! return of the tiger.. very cool fiilm as well..

[Chinatown Kid]

Have you seen The Lama Avenger aka The Three Avengers? If you haven't I'd recommend seeing it, Ho, Chien Yuet Sun and Micheal Winston have a bad ass battle with Lee Hoi Sang in the finale. One of my favorites!

[morgoth]

I didn't think Return of the Tiger was a great movie, but the last 15 minutes are a ton of fun. And those fights in Lung Fei's dojo were awesome.

[Chinatown Kid]

Never did like Return of the Tiger or Exit the Dragon/Enter the Tiger because the fight choreography was subpar and it was before Li matured in his screen fighting skills and got much better. I prefer his fight skills starting with The Man, the Myth in 1976 onward. His pre 76 stuff is pretty bad imo.

[morgoth]

Hey C-town kid, chek out the fight in the dojo in Return of teh Tiger again. Wong Chi Sang and others go at it hard! There is some great choreography going on there.

[mpm74]

Okay, so what are the QUALITY Bruce Li flicks?


- Bruce Lee The Man The Myth
- The Chinese Stuntman
- Iron Dragon Strikes Back

Anything else?? I'm talking about films that are ONLY as quality as the ones above.

Help me out.

[morgoth]

Return of the Tiger is definitely worth a watch IMO. I only give it a 5/10, but it is still a ton of fun, I also liked Chinese Connection 2. I have heard that Lama Avenger is really good. And if you have not seen The Man, The Myth, then DO NOT watch it.

[Chan Wah Shun]

-The Man, the Myth was good. It was leaps and bounds over every Bruce Lee biopic before or since (though still highly fictionalized), and though Ho himself did not care for the action, it was some very good stuff, imo.

-I also really enjoyed Bruce and the Iron Hand, though Liang outshines Ho in this flick.

-I also really like Bruce Lee in New Guinea, not only for the cheese and sleeze, but because Ho looked on the top of his game in it.

[mpm74]

Where can I get Bruce and the Iron Hand?

[Yakuza954]

I believe his best 3 are The Lama Avenger, Chinese Stuntman, and the Iron Dragon Strikes Back. Bruce and The Iron Hand is almost at this level, but slightly misses the cut because Liang outshines Li and the end fight isn't as good as it should have been.

[morgoth]

If I was 5 years old when I saw The Man The Myth I may have liked it. That is one of those movies that hurts to watch.

[Chinatown Kid]

Beside the ones already mentioned, I also like Li in Dynamo and Soul Brothers of Kung Fu and think they are worth seeing as well.

Morgoth it's been a while since I watched Return of the Tiger but since you rate that Dojo fight in it so highly I'll have to check it out again soon. ;)

[Yakuza954]

About Bruce and The Iron hand, I know Vengeance Video was going to release it but I'm not sure if they have yet.

[Chinatown Kid]

I sure hope they do release it, the version I got from FLR is pretty crappy quality. Bruce and the Iron Hand is a pretty good flick and features some nice action.

[dager in the cotton]

My best Li's are:

Lama avenger
the last strike
Dynamo