This film is dedicated to the millions who love Bruce Lee.
The Dragon Lives Again (1977) opens with this text, and within the next ten minutes, the character of “Bruce Lee” is lying on a slab in the underworld after his death, and there’s an erection joke. Later in the movie, Bruce Lee talks about fooling around and apologises to his wife “Linda” for his cheating on her. Eventually Bruce Lee fights Dracula.
Welcome to the world of Brucesploitation, the wave of cash-ins and knock-off martial arts movies made in the wake of Bruce Lee’s death, answering the call for more “Bruce” by casting Bruce Lee clones, sometimes in the role of “Bruce Lee.” You wouldn’t call The Dragon Lives Again a respectful tribute, but it’s difficult to take too seriously when Bruce Lee (played by Bruce Leung Siu-Lung) is depicted dueling against the classic blind samurai Zataochi, versing a Man With No Name styled cowboy named “Clint Eastwood”, standing off against characters called “James Bond,” “The Godfather,” and “The Exorcist,” even gets seduced by Emmanuelle, and battles mummies and zombies. Oh, and he also trains Popeye in the martial arts.
Cartoonish and zany, and touched with an exploitation movie energy of giving the masses what they want: lots of fighting (most brawls take place in a rocky sand pit) and unnecessary female nudity (features a couple of bathing scenes). There’s a freewheeling air to everything, which is clear in the intentional jokes; for example, Bruce Lee calling out each of his moves in a fight which are all the names of Bruce Lee movies (“Fist Of Fury!”, “Way Of The Dragon!”), all the while the score to Enter The Dragon is shamelessly re-used (I don’t think they sought permission). Particularly the English dub where Bruce Lee has this American drawl, almost approaching a John Wayne type of over-the-top bravado.
Transcendentally ridiculous and unabashedly entertaining. I had a goofy smile throughout The Dragon Lives Again. Remastered version available to stream on Tubi. Recommended.
VHS Tracking 