Circle of Iron

Director: Richard Moore Richard Moore

Overview

"This symbol-laden drama explores the inner mythology of martial arts practice and is based on a Bruce Lee story idea. The original screenplay was written by Bruce Lee, with help from actor James Coburn and Sterling Silliphant. Lee was to take on the four-in-one role of ""guide"" in his film, leaving the ""hero's"" role to someone else. Following Bruce Lee's tragic death, the film was rewritten. David Carradine stepped in to play the mysterious guides to aspiring martial arts master Cord (Jeff Cooper). Cord lives on a desert-like world where nearly everyone he meets practices or has practised a martial art. He seeks to find the place where the true inner spirit of the martial arts is being taught. In a story which is imbued with Zen maxims and Asian philosophy, when Cord finally arrives, he finds less (and more) than he hoped for. While there are many combat and fight scenes, the general tone of the film is meditative. Cameo appearances by Roddy McDowall, Eli Wallach and Christopher Lee supply many of the film's highlights."

Product Details

Release Date:	09/28/2004
UPC:	0827058108195
Original Release:	1978
Rating:	R
Source:	Blue Underground
Region Code:	A
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Language:	English
Time:	1:37:00
Sales rank:	35,551

Special Features

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; Alternate title sequence; Theatrical trailer; TV spots; Poster & still galleries; First draft script by Bruce Lee, James Coburn & Stirling Silliphant (DVD-ROM)

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

David Carradine	The Blind Man / Monkeyman / Death / Changsha
Jeff Cooper	Cord
Roddy McDowall	White Robe
Eli Wallach	Man-in-Oil
Erica Creer	Tara
Christopher Lee	Zetan
Anthony De Longis	Morthand
Earl Maynard	Black Giant
Heinz Bernard	Gerryman
Zipora Peled	His Wife
Jeremy Kaplan	Monkeyboy
Kam Yuen	Red Band
Elizabeth Motzkin	Japanese Woman
Bobby Ne'eman	Thug Leader
Dov Friedman	Young Monk
Ronen Nabah	Beautiful Boy
Michal Nedivi	Boy's Mother
Nissim Zohar	Boy's Father
Michael Vendrell	Martial Artist
Bruce Smeaton	Composer

Technical Credits

Stanley Mann

Stirling Silliphant

Sandy Howard	Producer
Paul Maslansky	Producer
Richard Moore	Director
Richard R. St. Johns	Executive Producer
Stanley Mann	Screenwriter
Stirling Silliphant	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

As a glance at the plot synopsis should reveal, Circle of Iron is far from typical kung fu film fare. The amount of fighting is limited (and handled in a rather matter-of-fact style when it occurs), with a greater emphasis being placed on thoughtful dialogue exchanges that have a pronounced philosophical bent. Circle of Iron is not a perfect film -- Jeff Cooper is sometimes wooden in the lead role despite putting forth a strong effort, and the action isn't as impressive as it might have been had Bruce Lee (who helped write the original screenplay) still been around to choreograph it. However, Circle of Iron is still worthwhile for those who can get into its eccentric style because it is genuinely ambitious and thoughtful in a way that many kung fu-oriented films seldom are. The script is laced with many memorable bits of Zen wisdom and David Carradine turns in his most memorable screen work, tackling a quartet of different roles with wit and charisma to spare. Circle of Iron is also gorgeous to look at: it was shot on a series of stunning locations in Israel and photographer Ronnie Taylor captures them in a moody, atmospheric style that genuinely makes the film feel like a window into another world. Director Richard Moore handles the material with respect, allowing it to move at its own thoughtful pace and giving the actors room to breathe life into it (Eli Wallach's cameo is a particularly memorable bit of scene-stealing). In short, Circle of Iron is a flawed but likeably ambitious piece of work. It probably won't appease viewers used to high-octane martial arts fare but anyone who enjoyed the Kung Fu TV series is likely to appreciate this mystical, philosophy-oriented take on the genre.