The Black Dragon is an action-packed martial arts film that tells the story of a young man named Lee, who seeks revenge for the murder of his father at the hands of a notorious gangster known as The Black Dragon. Played by Jason Pai Piao, Lee is a skilled fighter, but he is no match for The Black Dragon and his army of henchmen. Enter Ron Van Clief, a legendary martial artist and former marine who is sent by the government to investigate The Black Dragon's activities. Van Clief's character, Lieutenant Jackson, becomes Lee's mentor and together they embark on a mission to take down the notorious gangster and his criminal empire.
The film is set in Hong Kong in the early 1970s, a time when the city was a hotbed of crime and corruption. The Black Dragon is a ruthless drug lord who controls the city's underworld and has no qualms about killing anyone who stands in his way. His main rivals are a rival gang known as the Shaolin Clan and the Hong Kong police force, who are constantly trying to bring him to justice.
One of the standout features of The Black Dragon is the incredible fight scenes. With choreography by the renowned Yuen Wo Ping, the film features some of the most impressive martial arts sequences ever captured on film. From hand-to-hand combat to sword fights and even a battle with a giant snake, the action never lets up.
But The Black Dragon isn't just about action. There is also a strong emotional core to the film, particularly in the relationship between Lee and Lieutenant Jackson. As Lee struggles to come to terms with the death of his father and his own feelings of anger and revenge, Jackson becomes a mentor and father figure to him, teaching him not just martial arts but also important life lessons about honor, respect, and perseverance.
In addition to Jason Pai Piao and Ron Van Clief, the film also features standout performances by Nancy Veronica, Hok Nin Lau, and Thompson Kao Kang. Veronica plays Lee's love interest, a photographer who becomes caught up in the dangerous world of The Black Dragon. Lau plays one of The Black Dragon's top henchmen, a skilled fighter who proves to be a formidable opponent for Lee and Jackson. Kao Kang, meanwhile, plays a police detective who is also determined to take down The Black Dragon, but finds himself constantly thwarted by the corrupt system he is a part of.
Overall, The Black Dragon is a thrilling and emotional ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. With its incredible fight scenes, strong performances, and powerful themes of honor and revenge, it is a classic of the martial arts genre that is not to be missed.
The Black Dragon is a 1974 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes.
It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4.
