BRUCE TAKES DRAGONTOWN
- Year: 1974
- Starring: Bruce Lie (Yuen Si Wo/Yuan Shih Ho), Shang Kwan Yu, Lung Fei, Lee Keung, Cho Kin, Suen Yuet
- Directed by: Liu Hung Sheng
The synopsis from the box (spelling errors and all):
"Bruce is forced into a swirling dilemma between 2 artagonistic drug smugglers. And although he is gritally double crossed he manages to emerge triumphant. See this kung fu speciality explode in a bloody spectacle of wrath, rage and vengeance as Bruce takes Dragon Town."
You know, it is one thing when gangs double cross you, but when they "gritally" double cross you, then you know it is time to kick ass! This Taiwanese production is typical of the Bruceploitation genre with the title being the only Bruce-y thing about it. The only thing it has in common with Bruce Lee films is that it features a lot of Asian folks. Hell, the lead character's name is Alan, not Bruce! I guess ALAN TAKES DRAGON TOWN just didn't have that ring to it.
Bruce Lie, as credited on the Ocean Shores box, is really Yuan Shih Ho and he stars as Alan Fung. Local crime boss Mr. Chen kidnaps Alan's mother and forces Alan to do his bidding. Actually, Alan's mom forces him. When Alan comes to save her and beats in the heads of some thugs, she chastises him saying, "When will you grow up and behave like a gentleman? Don't you know right from wrong yet?" Uh, you realized you were kidnapped, right lady? Anyway, Alan heads to a town (I guess this would be the Dragon Town of the title) to confront rival crime boss Mr. Wen for Mr. Chen. The whole town is shocked to see "Daredevil" Alan return, especially his ex-girlfriend (yeah baby!). Seems Alan split town a few years prior following the deaths of this two older brothers by the hand of local gangs (by mistake no less - they thought they were killing Alan). But now he is back to handle business, both professional and personal. To get the upper hand against Alan and Mr. Chen, Mr. Wen kidnaps Alan's mother (kidnapped twice in one week - damn!) but she dies in the process (smooth move pal). So Mr. Wen kidnaps Alan's best friend Eddie. However, Alan is hip to the scheme, saves Eddie and begins a plan to pit the two gangs against each other, YOJIMBO style!
While not a Bruceploitation title (outside of the misleading credits), this is a pretty decent martial arts flick. There are some good fights through out and some unintentionally funny scenes. At one point in the film some thugs with ropes attack Alan. They tie him up but he gets loose and jumps the rope in front of them. Way to intimidate them pal! Anyone familiar with Jimmy Wang Yu films will recognize many of the supporting cast members. Especially good is Lung Fei as Mr. Wen's main henchman. At the end, he and Alan duke it out all over a coal factory. The fight ends when Alan jumps off a 50-foot tower and lands on the Lung Fei's back. OUCH! Now I know why they call him "Daredevil" Alan. Alan then says, "I did it for mom" so I guess that makes it okay. THE END!
Reviewed by William.