Forever fascinated with The Way of the Dragon

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Growing up, I’ve always been fascinated with dragons.

I used to have a collection of toy dragons which either I received as gifts or they came free from packs of snacks and chips that I bought during school recess. My fascination with these legendary creatures even led me to have my left shoulder inked with a black-winged dragon a few years ago.

But the most logical reason why I am into dragons is because I am born in the Year of the Dragon. Some of my friends tell me that 2012 is my year since according to the Chinese Zodiac, it’s the year of the Water Dragon.

I am reminded of the dragon-themed movies I’ve watched, from the 1980 cult movie Dragonslayer to the 90’s Dragon Heart, plus last decade’s Reign of Fire and Eragon. Then there’s the Bruce Lee martial arts movie The Way of the Dragon. Absolutely, no fire-breathing dragon creatures in it, but you’ll be amazed at the fight scenes as if you just saw a dragon appearing in your living room.

I was just a little boy when I first watched this film via Betamax after somebody told me that Lee was a human dragon. I just love how he beat up the bad guys using his kung fu dragon technique which I proudly imitated and showcased during petty fights with other kids. I remember I was able to scare away some of my enemies with the technique but when I found myself outnumbered, I used my secret weapon Ta Tsi (Takbo bitbit Tsinelas).

The Way of the Dragon is a 1972 Hong Kong martial arts action-comedy film written, produced and directed by its lead star Bruce Lee. It’s the story of Chinese man Tang Lung who was sent by his friend to Rome to protect a relative whose restaurant was being forcedly bought by a local mafia. Tang Lung’s exploits led him to his much-awaited battle against Colt, the American fighter played by Chuck Norris who was billed in the movie as a seven-time US and World Karate champion. The Lee-Norris battle was considered as one of the most memorable movie fight sequences in the ’70s. The film set a new box-office record in Hong Kong and was ranked No. 95 in Empire magazine’s The 100 Best Films of World Cinema in 2010.

I did not wait for the Chinese New Year to watch the film again. I already viewed it over YouTube and discovered more great things about the movie like Lee being a good comedian (especially during scenes where he asks where the toilet is) and some neat body exercises performed by the late martial arts icon. Actually, there’s a part in the film wherein Lee and his friends receive red envelops during the Chinese New Year’s celebration which contributed in maintaining the Asian touch in this film set in Italy.

Too bad, this would eventually be Lee’s last movie released while he was still alive. In May of 1973, Lee collapsed in Golden Harvest studios while doing dubbing work for the movie Enter the Dragon, the first of three movies that was released after his death. He was rushed to the Hong Kong Baptist Hospital where doctors diagnosed him suffering from a serious brain condition called cerebral edema. He died two months later.

Bruce Lee might have left the world too soon, but his legacy continues to live on. And just like a dragon, he will forever be a legend to his fans worldwide.