Parents' Guide to The Way of the Dragon

An unexpected box office hit around the world, this martial arts action adventure is one of the defining moments of Lee's cinematic career. The Way of the Dragon was released in Lee's native Hong Kong in 1972, but many international markets had to wait until 1974, a year after Lee's death to see it. Perhaps because his legend had grown in that time, audiences flocked to see Lee's final showdown with a young Chuck Norris in particular, which is one of many action-packed set pieces.

As well as starring as Lung, a modest martial arts prodigy from rural Hong Kong sent to Italy to help his family ward off gangsters, Lee wrote and directed the film, unafraid to take full control of the project. With the fight scenes the lifeblood of the movie, little time is spent on plot or character development. However, Lee does make an effort to play Lung's fish out of water situation for laughs during the movie's first act, then pokes fun at the local Italian gangsters who serve as a cipher for a Western movie industry who repeatedly underestimated his talent and ambition. In truth, Norris' appearance for the final showdown is little more than a cameo. But with the Roman Colosseum as a backdrop for their expertly choreographed duel, it remains an irresistible moment of pure entertainment and mutual respect.