Movie Night

Circle of Iron
1978
David Carradine, Jeff Cooper, Christopher Lee, Eli Wallach, Roddy McDowell

An idea conceived by Bruce Lee, James Coburn (student of Lee), and Stirling Silliphant, about a martial artist on a journey to find the book of all wisdom held by Zetan. On the way, he is "guided" by an aphorism-spouting, flute-playing martial artist, who shows up in many guises and fights in many styles.

Lee would have played the guide, and I suppose that Coburn would have played the seeker. Of course, Lee died before the movie could be made. Carradine bought the rights and played the guide. Cooper played the seeker. Christopher Lee played Zetan (one long scene), McDowell had one long scene, and Wallach had a long scene that is the highlight of the film, as a man in a large pot filled with oil that he is slowly dissolving in because he can't control his lust and wants to be rid of his love tool.

Carradine, who fancied himself as a great martial artist, has a grand time chewing the scenery. Cooper is not a bad actor, he's a bad fighter. Everybody else is phoning it in but they're professionals and do their best. Filmed in Israel.

Bruce, our young friend, loved it, and it is a lot of fun if you just sit back and disengage all critical faculties and knowledge of martial arts and just enjoy the silliness.