View source for Enter the Dragon

{{Short description|1973 film by Robert Clouse}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Enter the Dragon
| native_name    = {{Infobox Chinese/Chinese|child=yes|hide=no|header=none| t = {{linktext|龍|爭|虎|鬥}} | s = 龙争虎斗 |l=Dragon Fights, Tiger Struggles| p = Lóng Zhēng Hǔ Dòu | w = Lung<sup>2</sup> Chêng<sup>1</sup> Hu<sup>3</sup> Tou<sup>4</sup> | j = Lung4 Zang1 Fu2 Dau3| y = Lùhng Jāng Fú Dau}}
| image          = Enter the dragon.jpg
| alt            = 
| caption        = Theatrical release poster by [[Bob Peak]]
| director       = [[Robert Clouse]]
| producer       = {{Unbulleted list |[[Fred Weintraub]]|[[Paul Heller]]|[[Raymond Chow]]}}
| writer         = Michael Allin{{efn|Lee rewrote a significant portion of Allin's script without receiving an onscreen credit.<ref name="Rewrite">{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/bruce-lee-shannon-lee-be-water-my-friend-book-1234792317/ |title=Bruce Lee's Daughter Shannon Recalls His Struggle to Make 'Enter the Dragon' in New Book Excerpt (EXCLUSIVE) |publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |author=Audrey Cleo Yap |date=5 October 2020 |access-date=8 October 2020 |archive-date=8 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008081522/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/bruce-lee-shannon-lee-be-water-my-friend-book-1234792317/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
| starring       = {{Unbulleted list |[[Bruce Lee]]|[[John Saxon]]|[[Ahna Capri]]|[[Robert Wall|Bob Wall]]|[[Shih Kien]]|[[Jim Kelly (martial artist)|Jim Kelly]]}}
| music          = [[Lalo Schifrin]]
| cinematography = Gilbert Hubbs
| editing        = {{Unbulleted list |Kurt Hirschler|George Watters|Peter Cheung}}
| studio         = {{Unbulleted list |Sequoia Pictures|[[Concord Production Inc.]]|[[Warner Bros. Pictures|Warner Bros.]]<ref name="AFI info">{{cite web |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/54969 |title=Enter the Dragon |website=[[AFI Catalog of Feature Films]] |access-date=12 August 2023 |archive-date=4 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104050311/https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/54969 |url-status=live }}|</ref>}}
| distributor    = {{Unbulleted list |[[Orange Sky Golden Harvest|Golden Harvest]] (Hong{{nbsp}}Kong)|Warner Bros. (International)}}
| released       = {{Film date|1973|07|26|Hong Kong|1973|08|19|United States|df=y}}
| country        = {{Unbulleted list |Hong Kong|United States}}
| runtime        = 102 minutes<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/enter-dragon-1973|title=Enter the Dragon|work=British Board of Film Classification|access-date=17 July 2020|archive-date=18 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718061809/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/enter-dragon-1973|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| language       = {{Unbulleted list |English|Cantonese}}
| budget         = $850,000
| gross          = $400 million
}}

'''''Enter the Dragon''''' ({{lang-zh|t=龍爭虎鬥}}) is a 1973 [[martial arts film]] directed by [[Robert Clouse]] and written by Michael Allin. The film stars [[Bruce Lee]], [[John Saxon]], [[Ahna Capri]], [[Robert Wall|Bob Wall]], [[Shih Kien]], and [[Jim Kelly (martial artist)|Jim Kelly]]. ''Enter the Dragon'' was Bruce Lee's final completed film appearance before his death on 20 July 1973 at the age of 32. An American-Hong Kong co-production, the film was premiered in [[Los Angeles]] on 19 August 1973, one month after Lee's death.

''Enter the Dragon'' was estimated to have grossed over {{US$|400 million|long=no}} worldwide (equivalent to an estimated {{US$|2 billion|long=no}} adjusted for inflation {{as of|2022|lc=y}}) against a budget of $850,000. It is the most successful martial arts film ever and is widely regarded as one of the [[List of films considered the best|greatest martial arts films of all time]].<ref name="Guardian"/> In 2004, it was selected for preservation in the United States [[National Film Registry]] by the [[Library of Congress]] as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=FLANIGAN|first=b. p.|date=1 January 1974|title=KUNG FU KRAZY: or The Invasion of the 'Chop Suey Easterns'|jstor=42683410|journal=Cinéaste|volume=6|issue=3|pages=8–11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-04-215/films-added-to-national-film-registry-for-2004/2004-12-28/|title=Librarian of Congress Adds 25 Films to National Film Registry|website=Library of Congress|access-date=28 April 2020|archive-date=7 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407183706/https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-04-215/films-added-to-national-film-registry-for-2004/2004-12-28/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Complete National Film Registry Listing |url=https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/|access-date=15 June 2020|website=Library of Congress|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305191832/https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/|url-status=live}}</ref> Among the first films to combine martial arts action with [[spy film]] elements and the emerging [[blaxploitation]] genre, its success led to a series of similar productions combining the martial arts and blaxploitation genres.<ref name="press.uillinois.edu">{{Cite web|url=http://www.press.uillinois.edu/books/catalog/87gmg8en9780252032738.html|title=UI Press {{!}} Edited by Poshek Fu {{!}} China Forever: The Shaw Brothers and Diasporic Cinema|last=Fu|first=Poshek|website=www.press.uillinois.edu|access-date=10 May 2016|archive-date=4 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604003439/http://www.press.uillinois.edu/books/catalog/87gmg8en9780252032738.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The film's themes have generated scholarly debate about the changes taking place within post-colonial Asian societies following the end of [[World War II]].<ref name="Kato 62–99">{{Cite journal|last=Kato|first=M. T.|date=1 January 2005|title=Burning Asia: Bruce Lee's Kinetic Narrative of Decolonization|jstor=41490933|journal=Modern Chinese Literature and Culture|volume=17|issue=1|pages=62–99}}</ref>

''Enter the Dragon'' is also considered one of the most influential [[action film]]s of all time, with its success contributing to mainstream worldwide interest in the [[martial arts]] as well as inspiring numerous fictional works, including action films, [[television show]]s, [[action game]]s, [[comic book]]s, [[manga]], and [[anime]].

== Plot ==
Lee, a martial artist and instructor from Shaolin temple, [[British Hong Kong|Hong Kong]], is approached by [[British intelligence agencies|British intelligence agent]] Braithwaite, who asks for his help in an [[covert operation|undercover mission]] to investigate suspected crime lord Han, who was one of the students in Shaolin temple. Lee is persuaded to attend a high-profile martial arts tournament on Han's private island to gather evidence that will prove Han's involvement in [[Illegal drug trade|drug trafficking]] and [[prostitution]].

Since Han's island is only partly in their jurisdiction, they are unable to conduct any formal investigations. Han does not allow firearms on the island to prevent assassination attempts and raids from international authorities. He runs a martial arts school as cover for his illegal operations and holds the tournament to recruit martial artists to expand his illegal business. Lee agrees to help Braithwaite, believing his efforts will also redeem the honor of the Shaolin temple that was tarnished by Han. Shortly before his departure, Lee also learns that Han's bodyguard O'Hara is responsible for the death of his sister Su Lin.

Lee arrives on Han's island and receives a warm reception. Joining him are other competitors, including Roper, an American playboy and [[gambling|gambler]], who is indebted and on the run from the mob, and Williams, an African-American activist, who is on the run after defending himself against two racist police officers in [[Los Angeles]]. Roper and Williams are former [[Karate]] brothers and fellow [[Vietnam veteran]]s, who also have a betting scam going: one will underperform until the other can get a bet on the outcome at good odds. Roper and Williams win their first fights easily.

The rules of Han's tournament are simple: competitors compete in one-on-one matches against each other, the opponent, who gets knocked to the ground loses each round. Any weapons are strictly prohibited in the fighting arena. At the end of the first day, the competitors are all offered girls of their choice by Han's assistant Tania. Williams chooses several women, while Roper cunningly chooses Tania as a mutual attraction grows between them. Lee chooses a girl, which he saw in Han's entourage, who is Mei Ling, a [[Covert operation|covert agent]] whom Braithwaite had placed on the island to gather intelligence. However, Mei Ling has been unable to escape Han's strict observation never to leave their rooms.

That night, Lee begins to stealthily search and infiltrate the island for evidence and finds a secret entrance to an underground compound base where drugs are being manufactured and tested on unwitting prisoners. Lee runs into Han's guards, but manages to take them down and flee before they can identify him. Lee is seen by Williams, who is outside for some fresh air and practice, despite strict rules against being outside after night. The next morning, Han warns the competitors about wandering out of their rooms at night. Han punishes his guards for their inability to fulfill their duties by leaving them to be killed by Bolo, Han's musclebound enforcer and chief bodyguard. After the execution, the competition resumes as Lee is called to his first match, which is against O'Hara.

During the fight, Han warns O'Hara to step down as Lee keeps outclassing him in a humiliating fashion, even ignoring Han's commands to stand down after being fairly beaten. Lee kills O'Hara with a double stomp after he tries to attack him from behind with a pair of half-shattered glass bottles, thus avenging Su Lin's death. An embarrassed Han abruptly ends the day's competition after stating that O'Hara's treachery has disgraced them. Later, Han summons Williams in his office and accuses him of attacking the guards the previous night. Williams denies this and wants to leave the island, so Han brutally beats him to death with his iron [[Prosthesis|prosthetic]] left hand.

Han takes Roper on a tour of his underground base and invites him to be his representative for his illegal operations in the [[United States]]. Han also implicitly threatens to imprison Roper with other martial artists who joined Han's tournaments in the past. Roper reluctantly accepts after Han drops the brutalized corpse of Williams into a pit of acid, hinting that Roper will face the same fate if he refuses to cooperate. The same night, Lee infiltrates the underground base again to gather sufficient evidence to warrant Han's arrest and manages to send a message to Braithwaite. After a prolonged battle with Han's guards, Lee is eventually lured into a door trap to get imprisoned and captured.

The next morning, Han commands Roper to fight Lee, but Roper refuses and Han has him fight Bolo. Roper manages to overpower and beat Bolo after a gruelling battle. Han orders all his men to kill Lee and Roper. Despite facing insurmountable odds, the island's prisoners, released by Mei Ling, and the other invited martial artists aid Lee and Roper in defeating Han's guards. Amid the chaos, Han attempts to fight his way out to escape, only to have Lee pursue and corner him in his museum, where Han retrieves a bladed-talon replacement for his hand to prepare for a brutal fight. Han retreats into a room full of mirrors, which proves disorientating for Lee until Lee remembers his lessons at the Shaolin Temple and smashes all the mirrors to spoil Han's illusions. Lee kicks Han, who gets impaled on his own spear that was halfway harpooned through a wall.

Lee returns to Roper and they exchange a weary [[Thumb signal|thumbs-up]] as the military finally arrives to take control of the island.

== Cast ==
* [[Bruce Lee]] as Lee
* [[John Saxon]] as Roper
* [[Jim Kelly (martial artist)|Jim Kelly]] as Williams<ref name=horn/><ref>{{cite news|url= https://articles.latimes.com/2010/jan/10/entertainment/la-ca-secondlook10-2010jan10/2|title= DVD set is devoted to '70s martial arts star Jim Kelly |newspaper= [[Los Angeles Times]] |date= 10 January 2010|access-date=28 January 2011 | first=Steve | last=Ryfle|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180715233633/http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jan/10/entertainment/la-ca-secondlook10-2010jan10/2 |archive-date= 15 July 2018 }}</ref>
* [[Ahna Capri]] as Tania, Han's secretary<ref>{{cite news |title=Car Accident Claims Ahna Capri |publisher=[[Inside Kung Fu]] |url=http://www.insidekung-fu.com/content/view/212/37/ |access-date=10 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311115341/http://www.insidekung-fu.com/content/view/212/37 |archive-date=11 March 2011 | first=Dave | last=Cater }}</ref>
* [[Shih Kien]] as Han (voice dubbed by [[Keye Luke]])<ref>{{cite news|title= Lee's Dragon co-star dies at 96|publisher= [[BBC]]|date= 5 June 2009|url= https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8085659.stm|access-date= 31 January 2011|archive-date= 8 June 2009|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090608142504/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8085659.stm|url-status= live}}</ref>
* [[Robert Wall|Bob Wall]] as O'Hara, Han's bodyguard<!-- closing credits, plus captions --><ref>{{cite news|title= Bob Wall Interview: "Pulling No Punches"|publisher= [[Black Belt Magazine|Black Belt]]|url= http://www.blackbeltmag.com/archives/564|access-date=2 December 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101220214509/http://www.blackbeltmag.com/archives/564|archive-date= 20 December 2010}}</ref><ref name="city on fire"/>
* [[Angela Mao|Angela Mao Ying]] as Su-lin, Lee's sister
* [[Betty Chung]] as Mei-ling, an undercover operative
* Geoffrey Weeks as Braithwaite, a British Intelligence agent
* [[Bolo Yeung|Yang Sze]] as Bolo, Han's enforcer
* [[Peter Archer (actor)|Peter Archer]] as Parsons, an arrogant [[New Zealand]] martial artist and Williams' opponent
* [[Roy Chiao]] (uncredited) as the Shaolin abbot
* [[Tony Liu]] as Liu, Roper's opponent
<!-- rest of credits moved to talk page -->
* [[Sammo Hung]] as Lee's opponent (credited as Sammo Hung Kam-po)
* [[Jackie Chan]] (uncredited) as a minor henchman
* [[Yuen Wah]] (uncredited) as a tournament fighter{{efn|Yuen Wah also a stuntman and doubling for Bruce Lee in acrobatics.}}
* [[Yuen Biao]] (uncredited) as a tournament fighter
* Yuen Ting (uncredited) as a tournament fighter executed by Bolo
* [[Chung Fat]] (uncredited) as a tournament fighter executed by Bolo
* [[Cheung Wing-fat|Mars]] (uncredited) as a tournament fighter executed by Bolo 
* [[Alan Chui Chung-San]] (uncredited) as a Han's Bodyguard
* [[Lam Ching-ying]] (uncredited) as a guard fighting Lee 
* [[Mang Hoi]] (uncredited) as a Kid on a ship
* Peter Chan Lung (uncredited) as O'Hara's Thug
* Wilson Tong (uncredited) as O'Hara's Thug/Han's Bodyguard
* Tai Bo (uncredited) as O'Hara's Thug/Han's Bodyguard
* [[Phillip Ko]] (uncredited) as a tournament fighter
* [[Tadashi Yamashita]] (uncredited) as O'Hara's Trainer
* [[Pat E. Johnson]] (uncredited) as a thug on golf course
* Carl Scott (uncredited) as a Black Karate Federation Student (Extra)

== Production ==
===Development===
Due to the success of his earlier films, [[Warner Bros.]] began helping Bruce Lee with the film in 1972. They brought in producers [[Fred Weintraub]] and [[Paul Heller]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Distinguished Asian Americans: A Biographical Dictionary|first=Hyung-chan|last=Kim|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=1999|isbn=9780313289026|page=[https://archive.org/details/distinguishedasi00kimh/page/179 179]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/distinguishedasi00kimh/page/179}}</ref> The film was produced on a tight production budget of $850,000.<ref name="Polly">{{cite book |last1=Polly |first1=Matthew |title=Bruce Lee: A Life |date=2019 |publisher=[[Simon and Schuster]] |isbn=978-1-5011-8763-6 |page=478 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5bGWDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA478 |quote=''Enter the Dragon'' struck a responsive chord across the globe. Made for a minuscule $850,000, it would gross $90 million worldwide in 1973 and go on to earn an estimated $350 million over the next forty-five years. |access-date=8 June 2020 |archive-date=20 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620092030/https://books.google.com/books?id=5bGWDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA478 |url-status=live }}</ref> Fighting sequences were staged by Bruce Lee.<ref name="WorldCat">{{cite book |title=Enter the dragon |oclc=39222462 }}</ref>

The screenplay title was originally named ''Blood and Steel''.{{Sfn|Polly|2018|p=404}} Heller produced a treatment inspired by the comic strip ''[[Terry and the Pirates]]'' and hired screenwriter Michael Allin to develop it into a screenplay. Allin conceived of the film as an homage to [[James Bond]].{{Sfn|Polly|2018|p=405}} The story features heroic protagonists who are Asian, White, and Black, as the producers wanted a film that would appeal to the widest possible international audience.<ref>{{cite book|first=Brian |last=Locke|title=Racial Stigma on the Hollywood Screen from World War II to the Present: The Orientalist Buddy Film|publisher=Springer|year= 2009|isbn= 9780230101678 |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=CU9rAQAAQBAJ&q=peter+archer+enter+the+dragon&pg=PA71 71]}}</ref> 

===Pre-production===
Lee and Allin did not get along, and Weintraub told Lee that he would fire Allin but did not actually do so.{{Sfn|Polly|2018|pp=407-408}} Lee perceived the film as a cheap B-movie that would serve as a transitional film to introduce his talents and style to Hollywood.{{Sfn|Polly|2018|p=411}} Lee's role was originally conceived as a straightforward Chinese version of James Bond. Lee rejected this because of Bond's status as a symbol of [[British Empire|British imperialism]] and convinced the producers to re-conceive of his character as a [[Shaolin Monastery|Shaolin monk]].{{Sfn|Polly|2018|pp=412-413}} Lee insisted on re-titling the film ''Enter the Dragon'', to considerable resistance from the studio.{{Sfn|Polly|2018|pp=420-421}}

The scene in which Lee states that his style is "Fighting Without Fighting" is based upon a famous anecdote involving the 16th century [[samurai]] [[Tsukahara Bokuden]].<ref name="martialDirect">{{cite web|last=Brockett|first=Kip|date=12 August 2007|title=Bruce Lee Said What? 'Finding the Truth in Bruce Lee's Writings'|url=http://www.martialdirect.com/articles/bruceleept1.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170725232300/http://www.martialdirect.com/articles/bruceleept1.htm|archive-date=25 July 2017|work=Martialdirect.com}}</ref><ref name="bokuden">{{cite web|url=http://www.nineblue.com/kids/news_details.aspx?user_id=31|title=Bully Busters Art of Fighting without Fighting|date=12 August 2007|work=Nineblue.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080111103938/http://www.nineblue.com/kids/news_details.aspx?user_id=31|archive-date=11 January 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

All of the actors were hired at low wages.{{Sfn|Polly|2018|p=409}} [[Rod Taylor]] was first choice for playing the down-on-his-luck martial artist Roper. Director [[Robert Clouse]] had already worked with Taylor in the 1970 film ''[[Darker than Amber (film)|Darker than Amber]]''. However, Taylor was dropped after Bruce Lee deemed him to be too tall for the role.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wingchunnews.ca/john-saxon-enter-the-dragon-star-dies-at-83/|title=John Saxon, 'Enter the Dragon' Star, Dies At 83|website=www.wingchunnews.ca|date=26 July 2020|access-date=5 January 2022|archive-date=5 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205173809/https://www.wingchunnews.ca/john-saxon-enter-the-dragon-star-dies-at-83/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityonfire.com/commentary/etd.mp3|title=City On Fire (audio commentatary)|access-date=5 January 2022|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170453/http://www.cityonfire.com/commentary/etd.mp3|url-status=live}}</ref> [[John Saxon]], who was a black belt in [[Judo]] and [[Shotokan|Shotokan Karate]] (he studied under [[Grandmaster (martial arts)|grandmaster]] [[Hidetaka Nishiyama]] for three years),<ref>{{cite journal|date=April 1973|title=New Bruce Lee Film on its way to American movie theatres|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ndcDAAAAMBAJ|journal=[[Black Belt magazine]]|volume=11|pages=11–12|number=4|access-date=28 September 2020|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501231102/https://books.google.com/books?id=ndcDAAAAMBAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> became the preferred choice.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TNcDAAAAMBAJ&q=The+Growth+of+Judo+and+Karate+Declining+in+the+US&pg=PA4|title=Black Belt|first=|last= |date=1 August 1973|publisher=[[Active Interest Media]]|access-date=3 January 2018|via=Google Books|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501231041/https://books.google.com/books?id=TNcDAAAAMBAJ&q=The+Growth+of+Judo+and+Karate+Declining+in+the+US&pg=PA4|url-status=live}}</ref> During contractual negotiations, Saxon's agent told the film's producers that if they wanted him they would have to change the plot so that the character of Williams is killed instead of Roper. They agreed and the script was changed.<ref name="talk">{{cite book|title=Reflections on Blaxploitation: Actors and Directors Speak|last=Walker|first=David, Andrew J. Rausch, Chris Watson|publisher=Scarecrow Press|year= 2009|isbn=9780810867062|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=LofIsZJPfEcC&q=john+saxon+enter+the+dragon&pg=PA112 112]}}</ref> In a six decade career, the character would become one of Saxon's best known roles.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/john-saxon-best-known-for-his-roles-in-enter-the-dragon-a-nightmare-on-elm-street-dies-at-83-8644151.html|title=John Saxon, best known for his roles in Enter the Dragon, A Nightmare on Elm Street, dies at 83|publisher=www.firstpost.com|date=27 July 2020|access-date=5 January 2022|archive-date=5 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105112720/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/john-saxon-best-known-for-his-roles-in-enter-the-dragon-a-nightmare-on-elm-street-dies-at-83-8644151.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Rockne Tarkington]] was originally cast in the role of Williams. However, he unexpectedly dropped out days before the production was about to begin in Hong Kong. Producer Fred Weintraub knew that karate world champion [[Jim Kelly (martial artist)|Jim Kelly]] had a training dojo in [[Crenshaw, Los Angeles]], so he hastily arranged a meeting. Weintraub was immediately impressed, and Kelly was cast in the film.<ref name=horn>{{citation|last=Horn|first=John|title=Jim Kelly, 'Enter the Dragon' star, dies at 67|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=1 July 2013|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-jim-kelly-enter-the-dragon-star-dies-20130701,0,852055.story|access-date=19 August 2015|archive-date=22 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422061104/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-jim-kelly-enter-the-dragon-star-dies-20130701,0,852055.story|url-status=live}}</ref> The success of Kelly's appearance launched his career as a star: after ''Enter the Dragon'', he signed a three-film deal with [[Warner Bros.|Warner Bros]]<ref name="Blackbelt">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-c8DAAAAMBAJ&q=black+belt+may+1992+p+18&pg=PA22|title=Black Belt Magazine|last=Clary|first=David|date=May 1992|publisher=Active Interest Media, Inc.|pages=18–21|access-date=10 November 2020|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501231027/https://books.google.com/books?id=-c8DAAAAMBAJ&q=black+belt+may+1992+p+18&pg=PA22|url-status=live}}</ref> and went on to make several martial arts-themed [[blaxploitation]] films in the 1970s.<ref>''Reflections on Blaxploitation: Actors and Directors Speak'', 2009. pps.[https://books.google.com/books?id=LofIsZJPfEcC&q=jim+kelly+&pg=PA129 129–130] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007111549/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=LofIsZJPfEcC&lpg=PR1&pg=PA129#v=onepage&q=jim%20kelly%20 |date=7 October 2018 }}</ref>

===Filming===
[[Jackie Chan]] has uncredited roles as various guards during the fights with Lee. However, [[Yuen Wah]] was Lee's main stunt double for the film, responsible for the gymnastics stunts such as the cartwheels and jumping back flip in the opening fight.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ringtalk.com/those-amazing-bruce-lee-film-stunts|title=Those Amazing Bruce Lee Film Stunts|last=Boutwell|first=Malcolm|date=7 July 2015|website=ringtalk.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151130210705/http://ringtalk.com/those-amazing-bruce-lee-film-stunts|archive-date=30 November 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=29 September 2016}}</ref>

[[Sammo Hung]] also has an uncredited role in the opening fight scene against Lee at the start of the film.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://blackbeltmag.com/bruce-lee-enter-the-dragon |title=Bruce Lee Movies: Enter the Dragon, Seen Through the Eyes of a Martial Arts Movies Expert |work=Black Belt Magazine |date=13 May 2013 |access-date=17 January 2021 |archive-date=21 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121053241/https://blackbeltmag.com/bruce-lee-enter-the-dragon |url-status=live }}</ref>

Lee originally wanted to cast [[Chuck Norris]] as Han's bodyguard, Oharra; [[Robert Wall|Bob Wall]] was the second choice.{{Sfn|Polly|2018|p=409}} A rumour surrounding the making of ''Enter The Dragon'' claims that Wall did not like Bruce Lee and that their fight scenes were not choreographed. However, Wall has denied this, stating he and Lee were good friends.<ref name="city on fire">{{cite web|url=http://www.cityonfire.com/feature-bob-wall-interview/|title=Bob Wall Interview|last=Bona|first=JJ|date=10 January 2011|website=Cityonfire|publisher=cityonfire.com|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-date=22 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322210358/http://cityonfire.com/feature-bob-wall-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref> In one of their fight scenes, Lee injured his hand on a shattered bottle held by Wall, which angered Lee.{{Sfn|Polly|2018|p=417}}

The production hired prostitutes to play Han's harem. The visibility of their roles led the actresses to demand higher wages, which then led the stuntmen to consider striking, because they were paid less.{{Sfn|Polly|2018|p=418}}

The film was shot on location in Hong Kong. In keeping with local film-making practices, scenes were [[Cinema of Hong Kong#Language and sound|filmed without sound]]: dialogue and sound effects were added or dubbed in during [[post-production]]. Bruce Lee, after he had been goaded or challenged, fought several real fights with the film's [[Extra (acting)|extras]] and some set intruders during filming.<ref>{{cite book|title=Bruce Lee: Fighting Spirit|first=Bruce|last= Thomas|publisher=Pan Macmillan|year= 2008|isbn=9780283070662|page=300}}</ref> The scenes on Han's Island were filmed at a residence known as Palm Villa near the coastal town of [[Stanley, Hong Kong|Stanley]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmapia.com/where-is-it-shot/films/enter-the-dragon|title=Enter the Dragon Movie Shooting Locations|publisher=filmapia.com|access-date=24 March 2018|archive-date=25 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325050214/http://www.filmapia.com/where-is-it-shot/films/enter-the-dragon|url-status=live}}</ref> The villa is now demolished and the area heavily redeveloped around [[Tai Tam Bay]] where the martial artists were filmed coming ashore.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@22.2290867,114.2190769,3a,82.6y,282.67h,89.5t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sAF1QipM4rkhV9EDx6QDj_-8MoA3zNfiLbCO4mlEl__42!2e10!3e11!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipM4rkhV9EDx6QDj_-8MoA3zNfiLbCO4mlEl__42%3Dw203-h100-k-no-pi0-ya307.86285-ro-0-fo100!7i10240!8i5120|title=Google Maps|website=Google Maps|access-date=5 January 2022|archive-date=5 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305220641/https://www.google.com/maps/@22.2290867,114.2190769,3a,82.6y,282.67h,89.5t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sAF1QipM4rkhV9EDx6QDj_-8MoA3zNfiLbCO4mlEl__42!2e10!3e11!6shttps://lh5.googleusercontent.com/p/AF1QipM4rkhV9EDx6QDj_-8MoA3zNfiLbCO4mlEl__42%3Dw203-h100-k-no-pi0-ya307.86285-ro-0-fo100!7i10240!8i5120?shorturl=1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hkcinemagic.com/en/page.asp?aid=326&page=12|title=Enter The Dragon / 龍爭虎鬥 (1973 / Dir: Robert Clouse)|website=www.hkcinemagic.com|date=18 September 2011|access-date=5 January 2022|archive-date=5 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105143834/http://www.hkcinemagic.com/en/page.asp?aid=326&page=12|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Soundtrack ===
{{further|Enter the Dragon (soundtrack)}}
Argentinian musician [[Lalo Schifrin]] composed the film's musical score. While Schifrin was widely known at the time for his jazz scores, he also incorporated funk and traditional film score elements into the film's soundtrack.<ref>{{cite web|last=Guarisco|first=Donald|title=Lalo Schifrin: Enter the Dragon [Music from the Motion Picture] – Review|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/lalo-schifrin-enter-the-dragon-music-from-the-motion-picture-mw0000458280|website=All Music Guide|access-date=17 November 2012|archive-date=26 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726032025/http://www.allmusic.com/album/lalo-schifrin-enter-the-dragon-music-from-the-motion-picture-mw0000458280|url-status=live}}</ref> He composed the score by sampling sounds from China, [[Korea]], and Japan. The soundtrack has sold over 500,000 copies, earning a [[Music recording sales certification|gold record]].<ref name="press.uillinois.edu"/>

== Release ==
=== Theatrical ===
Studio executives were impressed by the quality of the film and the earlier surprise success of ''[[Five Fingers of Death]]'', which demonstrated a market for kung fu films. ''Enter the Dragon'' was heavily advertised in the United States before its release. The budget for advertising was over {{US$|1 million|link=yes}}. It was unlike any promotional campaign that had been seen before, and was extremely comprehensive. To advertise the film, the studio offered free [[Karate]] classes, produced thousands of illustrated flip books, comic books, posters, photographs, and organised dozens of news releases, interviews, and public appearances for the stars. ''[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]'', ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', and ''[[Newsweek]]'' all wrote stories on the film.<ref name="auto">{{Cite journal|last=Peirano|first=Pierre-François|date=22 April 2013|title=The Multiple Facets of Enter the Dragon (Robert Clouse, 1973)|url=http://inmedia.revues.org/613|journal=InMedia. The French Journal of Media and Media Representations in the English-Speaking World|issue=3|doi=10.4000/inmedia.613|issn=2259-4728|doi-access=free|access-date=10 May 2016|archive-date=13 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513143215/http://inmedia.revues.org/613|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Enter the Dragon'' was one of the most successful [[1973 in film|films of 1973]].<ref name="auto"/> Upon release in Hong Kong, the film grossed {{HK$|3,307,536|link=yes}},<ref name="imdb">{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070034/ |title=Enter The Dragon (1973) |publisher=[[IMDb]] |access-date=8 June 2015 |archive-date=5 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105190943/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070034/business |url-status=live }}</ref> which was huge business for the time, but less than Lee's previous 1972 films ''[[Fist of Fury]]'' and ''[[The Way of the Dragon]]''.

In [[North America (box office territory)|North America]], the film was receiving offers of {{US$|500,000|year=1973|round=-5}} from American distributors by April 1973 for the distribution rights, several months before release.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Dan |title=Newest Movie Craze: Chinese Agents |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/lima-news-apr-22-1973-p-30/ |access-date=15 April 2022 |work=[[Lima News]] |via=[[NewspaperArchive]] |date=22 April 1973 |page=30 |url-access=subscription |quote=Warner Brothers has just released one called "The Five Fingers of Death" and, with Fred Weintraub as producer, is now involved in the first American-Chinese production of a martial-science picture, a film that stars Bruce (Kato) Lee (...) "Enter the Dragon," is budgeted at {{US$|1 million|long=no}}. The first two pictures grossed more than {{US$|5 million|long=no}} in Southeast Asia alone, according to Weintraub. He also said American distributors are offering as much as $500,000 in advance for distribution rights. |archive-date=15 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415055618/https://newspaperarchive.com/lima-news-apr-22-1973-p-30/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Upon its limited release in August 1973 in four theatres in New York, the film entered the weekly box office charts at number 17 with a gross of {{US$|140,010|long=no|year=1973|round=-4}} in 3 days.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|title=50 Top-Grossing Films|date=29 August 1973|page=9}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|title=3 Days, 4 Sites, 'Dragon', $140,010|date=22 August 1973|page=8}}</ref> Upon its expansion the following week, it topped the charts for two weeks.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|title=50 Top-Grossing Films|date=12 September 1973|page=13}}</ref> Over the next four weeks, it remained in the top 10 while competing with other [[kung fu film]]s, including ''[[Hapkido (film)|Lady Kung Fu]]'', ''[[The Chase (1971 film)|The Shanghai Killers]]'' and ''[[Deadly China Doll]]'' which held the top spot for one week each.<ref name="Desser34">{{cite book |last1=Desser |first1=David |chapter=The Kung Fu Craze: Hong Kong Cinema's First American Reception |editor-last1=Fu |editor-first1=Poshek |editor-last2=Desser |editor-first2=David |title=The Cinema of Hong Kong: History, Arts, Identity |date=2002 |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |isbn=978-0-521-77602-8 |pages=19–43 (34) |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sELZJ5vihJUC&pg=PA34 |access-date=9 June 2020 |archive-date=21 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621212426/https://books.google.com/books?id=sELZJ5vihJUC&pg=PA34 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In October, ''Enter the Dragon'' regained the top spot in its eighth week.<ref name="Desser34"/> It sold {{nowrap|14.1 million}} tickets<ref>{{cite web |title=«Выход Дракона» (Enter the Dragon, 1973) - Dates |url=https://www.kinopoisk.ru/film/24743/dates/ |website=[[Kinopoisk]] |language=ru |access-date=7 April 2022 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404071403/https://www.kinopoisk.ru/film/24743/dates/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and grossed {{US$|25,000,000|long=no|year=1973|round=-7}} from its initial US release, making it the year's fourth highest-grossing film in the market.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Eliot |first1=Marc |title=Steve McQueen: A Biography |date=2011 |publisher=[[Aurum Press]] |isbn=978-1-84513-744-1 |pages=237, 242 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DzdsAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT242 |quote=''[[Papillon (1973 film)|Papillon]]'' earned nearly $55 million in its initial domestic release, making it the third-highest-grossing film of the year. (...) Robert Clouse's ''Enter the Dragon'', starring the late Bruce Lee, came in fourth, with $25 million. |access-date=10 June 2020 |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610101337/https://books.google.com/books?id=DzdsAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT242 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was repeatedly re-released throughout the 1970s, with each re-release entering the top five in the box office charts.<ref name="Polly479">{{cite book |last1=Polly |first1=Matthew |title=Bruce Lee: A Life |date=2019 |publisher=[[Simon and Schuster]] |isbn=978-1-5011-8763-6 |page=479 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5bGWDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA479 |access-date=8 June 2020 |archive-date=20 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620162315/https://books.google.com/books?id=5bGWDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA479 |url-status=live }}</ref> The film's US gross had increased to {{US$|100 million|long=no}} by 1982,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lent |first1=John A. |title=The Asian Film Industry |date=1990 |publisher=Helm |isbn=978-0-7470-2000-4 |page=100 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ogVlAAAAMAAJ |quote=The Lee film, ''Enter the Dragon'', was made with Warner; it grossed US $100 million in the United States alone (Sun 1982: 40). |access-date=8 June 2020 |archive-date=8 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608191943/https://books.google.com/books?id=ogVlAAAAMAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Mennel |first1=Barbara |title=Cities and Cinema |date=2008 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-1-134-21984-1 |page=87 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pQB3MembWe8C&pg=PA87 |quote=Golden Harvest took on Bruce Lee and began co-producing with Hollywood companies, leading to its kung-fu action films, including the Bruce Lee vehicle ''Enter the Dragon'' (dir. Robert Clouse, 1973), which “grossed US $100 million in the United States alone” (Lent 100; also Sun 1982:40). |access-date=8 June 2020 |archive-date=8 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608191945/https://books.google.com/books?id=pQB3MembWe8C&pg=PA87 |url-status=live }}</ref> and more than {{US$|120 million|long=no}} (equivalent to ${{#expr:{{inflation|US|25|1973}}+{{inflation|US|75|1974}}+{{inflation|US|20|1982}} round -1}} million adjusted for inflation) by 1998.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gaul |first1=Lou |title=Actor Bruce Lee's life celebrated in special video edition |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/doylestown-intelligencer-jul-20-1998-p-28/ |access-date=15 April 2022 |work=[[Doylestown Intelligencer]] |via=[[NewspaperArchive]] |date=20 July 1998 |page=28 |url-access=subscription |quote=The $550,000 picture – a modest budget even by 1973 standards – has grossed more than {{US$|120 million|long=no}} during its initial run and re-release engagements in America and has never aired on network television. |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404071403/https://newspaperarchive.com/doylestown-intelligencer-jul-20-1998-p-28/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In Europe, the film initially monopolised several [[London West End]] cinemas for five weeks, before becoming a sellout success across Britain and the rest of Europe.<ref name="Thomas1994">{{cite book |last1=Thomas |first1=Bruce |title=Bruce Lee, Fighting Spirit: A Biography |date=1994 |publisher=Frog Books |location=[[Berkeley, California]] |isbn=9781883319250 |url-access=registration |page=247 |url=https://archive.org/details/bruceleefighting0000thom_d0z5/page/247 |quote=A month after Bruce's death, ''Enter the Dragon'' was released. During its first seven weeks in the United States it grossed {{US$|3 million|long=no}}. In London it monopolized three West End cinemas for five weeks before becoming a sellout throughout Britain and the rest of Europe. The film went on to gross over {{US$|200 million|long=no}}, the ratio of cost to profit making it perhaps the most commercially successful film ever made.}}</ref> In England, it grossed over $2.5 million.<ref name=dv74>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Daily Variety]]|date=16 April 1974|page=1|title='Dragon' Pulling Big Foreign Coin For WB}}</ref> In Spain, it was the seventh top-grossing film of 1973,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Soyer |first1=Renaud |title=Box Office International 1973 |url=http://www.boxofficestory.com/monde-1973-c25608070 |website=Box Office Story |date=22 April 2014 |language=fr |access-date=30 June 2020 |archive-date=29 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629233751/http://www.boxofficestory.com/monde-1973-c25608070 |url-status=live }}</ref> selling 2,462,489 tickets.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Soyer |first1=Renaud |title=Bruce Lee Box Office |url=http://www.boxofficestory.com/box-office-bruce-lee-c23465174 |website=Box Office Story |date=28 January 2013 |language=fr |access-date=30 June 2020 |archive-date=1 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501231103/http://www.boxofficestory.com/box-office-bruce-lee-c23465174 |url-status=live }}</ref> In France, it was one of the top five [[List of highest-grossing films in France|highest-grossing films]] of 1974 (above two other Lee films, ''[[The Way of the Dragon]]'' at {{nowrap|number 8}} and ''[[Fist of Fury]]'' at {{nowrap|number 12}}), with 4,444,582 ticket sales.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jpbox-office.com/charts_france.php?filtre=datefr&variable=1974|title=Charts – LES ENTREES EN FRANCE|year=1974|website=JP's Box-Office|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327161544/http://www.jpbox-office.com/charts_france.php?filtre=datefr&variable=1974|archive-date=27 March 2019|url-status=live|access-date=27 November 2018}}</ref> In Germany, it was one of the top 10 highest-grossing films of 1974, with {{nowrap|1.7 million}} ticket sales.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jpbox-office.com/charts_allemagne.php?filtre=dateall&variable=1974|title=Charts – LES ENTREES EN ALLEMAGNE|year=1974|website=JP's Box-Office|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327162101/http://www.jpbox-office.com/charts_allemagne.php?filtre=dateall&variable=1974|archive-date=27 March 2019|url-status=live|access-date=27 November 2018}}</ref> In Greece, the film earned {{US$|1,000,000|long=no|year=1973|round=-5}} in its first year of release.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Tan |first1=George |title=Behind The Scenes With Bruce Lee: An Inside Look at "The Dragon's" Films |magazine=[[Black Belt (magazine)|Black Belt]] |date=November 1990 |volume=28 |issue=11 |pages=24–29 (29) |publisher=[[Active Interest Media]] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5toDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA29 |access-date=8 June 2020 |archive-date=12 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612161822/https://books.google.com/books?id=5toDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA29 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In Japan, it was the second highest-grossing film of 1974 with [[distributor rental]] earnings of {{JPY|1,642,000,000|link=yes|year=1974|round=-6}}.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=キネマ旬報ベスト・テン85回全史 1924–2011 |magazine=[[Kinema Junpo]] |date=2012 |page=322 |lang=ja}}</ref> It was the highest-grossing film of all time in the Philippines.<ref name=dv74/> In South Korea, the film sold 229,681 tickets in the capital city of [[Seoul]].<ref name="korea">{{cite web |title=영화정보 |url=http://www.kobis.or.kr/kobis/business/mast/mvie/searchMovieList.do |website=KOFIC |publisher=[[Korean Film Council]] |access-date=26 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225151904/http://www.kobis.or.kr/kobis/business/mast/mvie/searchMovieList.do |archive-date=25 December 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> In India, the movie was released in 1975 and opened to full houses; in one [[Bombay]] theatre, New Excelsior, it had a packed 32-week run.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bruce Lee storms Bombay once again with Return of the Dragon |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/19790915-bruce-lee-storms-bombay-once-again-with-return-of-the-dragon-822544-2014-02-21 |last1=Mohamed |first1=Khalid |author-link=Khalid Mohamed |work=[[India Today]] |date=15 September 1979 |access-date=20 January 2015 |archive-date=16 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716194756/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/19790915-bruce-lee-storms-bombay-once-again-with-return-of-the-dragon-822544-2014-02-21 |url-status=live }}</ref> The film was also a success in [[Iran]], where there was a theatre which played it daily up until the 1979 [[Iranian Revolution]].<ref name="Polly479"/>

Against a tight budget of $850,000,<ref name="Polly"/> the film grossed {{US$|100,000,000|year=1973|round=-7}} upon its initial 1973 worldwide release,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gross |first1=Edward |title=Bruce Lee: Fists of Fury |date=1990 |publisher=Pioneer Books |page=137 |isbn=9781556982330 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QIwnAQAAIAAJ |quote=In 1973, his third (sic) Enter the Dragon, grossed $100 million world-wide and firmly established young Lee as an international star whose films were almost guaranteed to be successful. |access-date=8 June 2020 |archive-date=1 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801113434/https://books.google.com/books?id=QIwnAQAAIAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Newspaper">{{cite news |editor1-last=Waugh |editor1-first=Darin |title=British Newspaper Clippings – Showtalk: The King Lives |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rWPuAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA98 |year=1978 |work=Bruce Lee Eve: The Robert Blakeman Bruce Lee Memorabilia Collection Logbook, and Associates of Bruce Lee Eve Newsletters |publisher=Kiazen Publications |isbn=978-1-4583-1893-0 |quote=Lee first found success in The Big Boss and followed that with Fist of Fury and Enter the Dragon which grossed an outstanding 100,000,000 dollars and firmly established itself as one of the world's all-time top films in commercial terms. Lee went on to top this with The Way of the Dragon and the cameras had barely stopped rolling when he began what was to be his final film Game of Death. (...) Now director Robert Clouse has completed Game of Death. |access-date=10 June 2020 |archive-date=23 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623053103/https://books.google.com/books?id=rWPuAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA98 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Hoffmann">{{cite book |last1=Hoffmann |first1=Frank W. |last2=Bailey |first2=William G. |last3=Ramirez |first3=Beulah B. |title=Arts & Entertainment Fads |date=1990 |publisher=[[Psychology Press]] |isbn=978-0-86656-881-4 |page=210 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_tR1owszUR0C&pg=PA210 |quote=American moviemakers already knew the potential of the martial arts film; in 1973 “Enter the Dragon,” starring Bruce Lee, earned Fred Weintraub and Raymond Chow $100,000,000 worldwide. Of that amount $11,000,000 came from U.S. sales, indicating the market was really overseas. |access-date=10 June 2020 |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610092453/https://books.google.com/books?id=_tR1owszUR0C&pg=PA210 |url-status=live }}</ref> making it one of the world's [[List of highest-grossing films|highest-grossing films]] of all time up until then.<ref name="Newspaper"/> The film went on to have multiple re-releases around the world over the next several decades, significantly increasing its worldwide gross.<ref name="Polly"/> The film went on to gross over {{US$|220 million|long=no}} internationally by 1981, making it the highest-grossing martial arts film of all time.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hamberger |first1=Mitchell G. |date=1 December 1981 |title=Bruce Lee remembered |page=6 |work=[[York Daily Record]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/553719147/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=16 April 2022 |quote=His biggest and best film ''Enter the Dragon'', grossed over {{US$|220 million|long=no}} internationally. That's more than any martial arts film has ever grossed. |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=16 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416210057/https://www.newspapers.com/image/553719147/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was reportedly still among the {{nowrap|top 50}} all-time highest-grossing films in 1990.<ref>{{cite journal |title=The Turtles Take Hollywood |journal=[[Asiaweek]] |date=May 1990 |volume=16 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dIoMAQAAMAAJ |access-date=10 June 2020 |publisher=Asiaweek Limited |quote=Lee's 1973 film Enter the Dragon is said to be one of the 50 top-grossing films of all time. |archive-date=11 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611135912/https://books.google.com/books?id=dIoMAQAAMAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>

By 1998, it had grossed more than {{US$|300 million|long=no}} worldwide.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Immortal Kombat |journal=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] |date=August 1998 |volume=6 |issue=8 |pages=90–94 (94) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JywEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA94 |publisher=[[Vibe Media Group]] |issn=1070-4701 |quote=Bruce's own production company, Concord, was a full partner with Warner Bros, in his final, and greatest film, ''Enter the Dragon''. Made for just $600,000, it has since grossed more than $300 million. |access-date=8 June 2020 |archive-date=20 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620111446/https://books.google.com/books?id=JywEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA94 |url-status=live }}</ref> {{As of|2001}}, it has grossed an estimated total of over {{US$|400 million|long=no}} worldwide,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wilson |first1=Wayne |title=Bruce Lee |date=2001 |publisher=Mitchell Lane Publishers |isbn=978-1-58415-066-4 |pages=30–1 |url=https://archive.org/details/bruceleereallife00wayn/page/30/mode/2up |quote=After its release, ''Enter the Dragon'' became Warner Brothers' highest grossing movie of 1973. It has earned well over $400{{nbsp}}million}}</ref> having earned more than 400 times its original budget.<ref name="Polly"/> The film's cost-to-profit ratio makes it one of the most commercially successful and profitable films of all time.<ref name="Thomas1994"/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Bishop |first1=James |title=Remembering Bruce: The Enduring Legend of the Martial Arts Superstar |date=1999 |publisher=Cyclone Books |isbn=978-1-890723-21-7 |page=46 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Zh0f8EsE5GUC |quote=Three weeks after Bruce Lee died Enter the Dragon was released in the United States and became an instant hit. The movie, made for around $800,000, made {{US$|3 million|long=no}} in its first seven weeks. Its success spread to Europe and then worldwide. It would eventually make over {{US$|200 million|long=no}}, making it one of the most profitable movies of all time. |access-date=7 June 2020 |archive-date=18 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618044351/https://books.google.com/books?id=Zh0f8EsE5GUC |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Real versus nominal value (economics)|Adjusted for inflation]], the film's worldwide gross is estimated to be the equivalent of around {{US$|2 billion|long=no}} {{as of|2022|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Risen |first1=Clay |title=Bob Wall, Martial Arts Master Who Sparred With Bruce Lee, Dies at 82 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/11/us/bob-wall-dead.html |access-date=16 April 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=11 February 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211164954/http://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/11/us/bob-wall-dead.html |archive-date=11 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Chachowski |first1=Richard |title=The Best Kung Fu Movies Of All Time Ranked |url=https://www.looper.com/805482/the-best-kung-fu-movies-of-all-time-ranked/ |access-date=16 April 2022 |work=[[Looper.com]] |publisher=[[Static Media]] |date=21 March 2022 |archive-date=21 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421163001/https://www.looper.com/805482/the-best-kung-fu-movies-of-all-time-ranked/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Home media ===
''Enter the Dragon'' has remained one of the most popular martial arts films since its premiere and has been released numerous times worldwide on multiple home video formats. For almost three decades, many theatrical and home video versions were censored for violence, especially in the West. In the UK alone, at least four different versions have been released. Since 2001, the film has been released uncut in the UK and most other territories.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/case-studies/enter-dragon|title=BBFC Case Studies: Enter the Dragon (1973)|website=bbfc.co.uk|publisher=British Board of Film Classification|access-date=15 December 2018|archive-date=16 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216103624/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/case-studies/enter-dragon|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://melonfarmers.co.uk/bbfc_cuts_enter_the_dragon.htm|title=Enter the Dragon: Bruce Lee vs the BBFC|website=Melonfarmers.co.uk|publisher=MelonFarmers|access-date=15 December 2018|archive-date=22 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122074040/http://melonfarmers.co.uk/bbfc_cuts_enter_the_dragon.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oaSUETaJ6E |title=Cutting Edge: Episode 46 - Enter The Dragon |access-date=12 August 2020 |archive-date=8 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108142538/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oaSUETaJ6E |url-status=live }}</ref> Most DVDs and [[Blu-ray]]s come with a wide range of extra features in the form of documentaries, interviews, etc. In 2013, a second, remastered HD transfer appeared on Blu-ray, billed as the "40th Anniversary Edition".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=650|title=Enter the Dragon (1973) DVD comparison|publisher=DVDCompare|access-date=15 December 2018|archive-date=15 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215222326/http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=650|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=10949|title=Enter the Dragon (1973) Blu-ray comparison|publisher=DVDCompare|access-date=15 December 2018|archive-date=15 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215222926/http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=10949|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2020, new 2K digital restorations of the theatrical cut and special edition were included as part of the ''Bruce Lee: His Greatest Hits'' box set by [[The Criterion Collection]] (under licensed from [[Warner Bros. Home Entertainment]] through the physical home media joint venture in US and Canada named [[Studio Distribution Services]] and [[Star China Media|Fortune Star Media Limited]]), which featured all of Lee's films, as well as ''[[Game of Death II]]''.<ref name="Criterion">{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2020/04/bruce-lee-criterion-collection-greatest-hits-1202224688/|title=Bruce Lee Will Make His Criterion Collection Debut This Summer with Greatest Hits Set|first=Ryan|last=Lattanzio|work=IndieWire|date=13 April 2020|access-date=17 July 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=16 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516191947/https://www.indiewire.com/2020/04/bruce-lee-criterion-collection-greatest-hits-1202224688/}}</ref>

== Reception ==
Upon release, the film was initially received mixed reviews from several critics,<ref name="Desser34"/> including a favourable review from ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/1973/film/reviews/enter-the-dragon-1200423093/|title=Review: 'Enter the Dragon'|author=Variety Staff|date=31 July 1973|access-date=11 December 2017|archive-date=8 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108210457/http://variety.com/1973/film/reviews/enter-the-dragon-1200423093/|url-status=live}}</ref> The film eventually went on to be well received by most critics, and it is widely regarded as one of the best films of 1973.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.filmsite.org/1973.html |title=The Greatest Films of 1973 |publisher=[[AMC (TV channel)|AMC]] [[Filmsite.org]] |access-date=21 May 2010 |archive-date=10 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210115957/http://www.filmsite.org/1973.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.films101.com/y1973r.htm |title=The Best Movies of 1973 by Rank |publisher=Films101.com |access-date=21 May 2010 |archive-date=13 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413212242/http://www.films101.com/y1973r.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/year/1973 |title=Most Popular Feature Films Released in 1973 |publisher=[[IMDb]] |access-date=22 May 2010 |archive-date=1 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100501143814/http://www.imdb.com/year/1973/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Critics have referred to ''Enter the Dragon'' as "a low-rent [[James Bond]] thriller",<ref>[http://movies.tvguide.com/enter-the-dragon/review/113986 ''Enter the Dragon'', TV Guide Movie Review.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704171300/http://movies.tvguide.com/enter-the-dragon/review/113986 |date=4 July 2012 }} [[TV Guide]]. Retrieved 28 September 2012.</ref><ref>''The Fourth Virgin Film Guide'' by James Pallot and the editors of [[inebook]], published by [[Virgin Books]], 1995</ref> a "remake of ''[[Dr. No (film)|Dr. No]]''" with elements of [[Fu Manchu]].<ref>''Hong Kong Action Cinema'' by Bey Logan, published by [[Titan Books]], 1995</ref> J.C. Maçek III of [[PopMatters]] wrote, "Of course the real showcase here is the obvious star here, Bruce Lee, whose performance as an actor and a fighter are the most enhanced by the perfect sound and video transfer. While Kelly was a famous martial artist and a surprisingly good actor and Saxon was a famous actor and a surprisingly good martial artist, Lee proves to be a master of both fields."<ref>{{cite web|work=[[PopMatters]]|url=https://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/172567-enter-the-dragon-40th-anniversary-edition-blu-ray/|title=Tournament of Death, Tour de Force: 'Enter the Dragon: 40th Anniversary Edition Blu-Ray'|first=J.C.|last=Maçek III|date=21 June 2013|access-date=20 April 2020|archive-date=30 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630000902/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/172567-enter-the-dragon-40th-anniversary-edition-blu-ray/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Many acclaimed newspapers and magazines reviewed the film. ''Variety'' described it as "rich in the atmosphere", the music score as "a strong asset" and the photography as "interesting".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/1973/film/reviews/enter-the-dragon-1200423093/|title=Review: 'Enter the Dragon'|date=31 July 1973|website=Variety|access-date=10 May 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304140319/http://variety.com/1973/film/reviews/enter-the-dragon-1200423093/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' gave the film a rave review: "The picture is expertly made and well-meshed; it moves like lightning and brims with color. It is also the most savagely murderous and numbing hand-hacker (not a gun in it) you will ever see anywhere."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9500E3D71631E63BBC4052DFBE668388669EDE|title=Movie Review - - 'Enter Dragon,' Hollywood Style:The Cast |last=Thompson |first=Howard|date=18 August 1973 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131232805/https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9500E3D71631E63BBC4052DFBE668388669EDE|archive-date=31 January 2017|url-status=dead|access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref>

The film holds an 88% approval rating on the review aggregation website [[Rotten Tomatoes]] based on 78 reviews, with an average rating of 7.80/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Badass to the max, ''Enter the Dragon'' is the ultimate kung-fu movie and fitting (if untimely) Bruce Lee swan song."<ref>{{cite web |title=''Enter the Dragon'' |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/enter_the_dragon/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715191014/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/enter_the_dragon |archive-date=15 July 2020 |access-date=21 August 2023 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], it has a weighted average score of 83 out of 100 based on reviews from 16 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".<ref>{{cite web |title=Enter the Dragon |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/enter-the-dragon |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=21 January 2022 |archive-date=22 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122154217/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/enter-the-dragon |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2004, the film was deemed "culturally significant" by the [[Library of Congress]] and selected for preservation in the [[National Film Registry]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070034/awards |title=''Enter the Dragon'': Award Wins and Nominations |publisher=[[IMDb]] |access-date=21 May 2010 |archive-date=8 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100608004618/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070034/awards |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Enter the Dragon'' was selected as the best [[martial arts film]] of all time, in a 2013 poll of ''[[The Guardian]]'' and ''[[The Observer]]'' critics.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2013/dec/06/top-10-martial-arts-movies|title=Top 10 martial arts movies|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=6 December 2013|access-date=7 June 2020|archive-date=28 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528160416/https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2013/dec/06/top-10-martial-arts-movies|url-status=live}}</ref> The film also ranks No. 474 on ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' magazine's 2008 list of ''The 500 Greatest Movies of All Time''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/500/5.asp|title=''Empire's'' The 500 Greatest Movies of All Time|work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] magazine|access-date=21 May 2010|archive-date=28 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028130555/http://www.empireonline.com/500/5.asp|url-status=dead }}</ref>

''Enter the Dragon'' has been [[Parody|parodied]] and referenced in places such as the 1976 film ''[[The Pink Panther Strikes Again]]'', the satirical publication ''[[The Onion]]'', the Japanese game-show ''[[Takeshi's Castle]]'', and the 1977 [[John Landis]] comedy anthology film ''[[The Kentucky Fried Movie]]'' (in its lengthy "A Fistful of Yen" sequence, basically a comedic, note for note remake of ''Dragon'') and also in the film ''[[Balls of Fury]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theonion.com/content/node/30496|title=Rumsfeld Hosts No-Holds-Barred Martial Arts Tournament at Remote Island Fortress|website=[[The Onion]]|date=17 March 2004|access-date=15 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070815131719/http://www.theonion.com/content/node/30496|archive-date=15 August 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was also parodied on television in ''[[That '70s Show]]'' during the episode ''[[Jackie Moves On]]'' with regular character [[Fez (That '70s Show)|Fez]] taking on the Bruce Lee role. Several clips from the film are comically used during the theatre scene in ''[[The Last Dragon]]''. Lee's martial arts films were broadly lampooned in the recurring ''[[Almost Live!]]'' sketch ''Mind Your Manners with'' ''[[Billy Quan]]''. [[Ram Gopal Varma]] directed the martial-arts film ''[[Ladki: Dragon Girl]]'' after being heavily inspired by the film.

In August 2007, the now-defunct [[Warner Independent Pictures]] announced that television producer [[Kurt Sutter]] would be remaking the film as a [[Film noir|noir-style]] thriller entitled ''Awaken the Dragon'' with Korean singer-actor [[Rain (entertainer)|Rain]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2007/film/markets-festivals/warners-to-remake-enter-the-dragon-2-1117969988/|title=Warners to remake 'Enter the Dragon'|last=Fleming|first=Michael|date=9 August 2007|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=12 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418034915/http://variety.com/2007/film/markets-festivals/warners-to-remake-enter-the-dragon-2-1117969988/|archive-date=18 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/57745-will-rain-awaken-the-dragon|title=Will Rain Awaken the Dragon ?|publisher=[[ComingSoon.net]]|author=CS|date=5 August 2009|access-date=20 April 2020|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308214526/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/57745-will-rain-awaken-the-dragon|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/new/Exclusive-Rain-Confirms-He-s-Still-Considering-Enter-The-Dragon-Remake-15692.html|title=Exclusive: Rain Confirms He's Still Considering Enter The Dragon Remake|publisher=Cinema Blend|last=Rich|first=Kathy|work=CINEMABLEND |date=13 November 2009|access-date=20 April 2020|archive-date=31 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731054043/https://www.cinemablend.com/new/Exclusive-Rain-Confirms-He-s-Still-Considering-Enter-The-Dragon-Remake-15692.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It was announced in September 2014 that [[Spike Lee]] would work on the remake. In March 2015, [[Brett Ratner]] revealed that he wanted to make the remake.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thestudioexec.com/spike-lee-to-remake-enter-the-dragon/|title=SPIKE LEE TO REMAKE ENTER THE DRAGON|publisher=The Studio Exec|last=Sternberger|first=Chad|date=16 September 2014|access-date=14 May 2016|archive-date=4 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604034144/http://thestudioexec.com/spike-lee-to-remake-enter-the-dragon/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aintitcool.com/node/70809|title=Brett Ratner Is Trying To Remake ENTER THE DRAGON|publisher=Ain't It Cool News|author=mrbeaks|date=21 March 2015|access-date=20 April 2020|archive-date=6 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806024525/http://www.aintitcool.com/node/70809|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2018, [[David Leitch]] was in early talks to direct the remake.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/enter-the-dragon-bruce-lee-remake-david-leitch-deadpool-2-john-wick-warner-bros-1202431792/|title=Remake Of Bruce Lee's 'Enter The Dragon' Has 'Deadpool 2's David Leitch in Talks|magazine=Deadline|author=Mike Fleming, Jr|date=23 July 2018|access-date=5 August 2018|archive-date=6 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806024547/https://deadline.com/2018/07/enter-the-dragon-bruce-lee-remake-david-leitch-deadpool-2-john-wick-warner-bros-1202431792/|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2024, there are no further updates on this project.

''Enter the Dragon'' has been cited as one of the most influential [[action film]]s of all time. Sascha Matuszak of ''[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]'' called it the most influential [[kung fu film]] and said it "is referenced in all manner of media, the plot line and characters continue to influence storytellers today and the impact was particularly felt in the revolutionizing way the film portrayed [[African Americans|African-Americans]], [[Asian people|Asians]] and traditional martial arts."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Matuszak |first1=Sascha |title=Bruce Lee's Last Words: Enter the Dragon and the Martial Arts Explosion |url=http://fightland.vice.com/blog/bruce-lees-last-words-enter-the-dragon-and-the-martial-arts-explosion |website=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]] |access-date=23 March 2020 |date=1 July 2015 |archive-date=2 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102120348/http://fightland.vice.com/blog/bruce-lees-last-words-enter-the-dragon-and-the-martial-arts-explosion |url-status=dead }}</ref> Joel Stice of ''[[Uproxx]]'' called it "arguably the most influential kung fu movie of all time."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Stice |first1=Joel |title=Bruce Lee Was Bitten By A Cobra And 5 Other Surprising 'Enter The Dragon' Facts |url=https://uproxx.com/movies/enter-the-draon-trivia/ |website=[[Uproxx]] |access-date=23 March 2020 |date=27 November 2015 |archive-date=23 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323193426/https://uproxx.com/movies/enter-the-draon-trivia/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Kuan-Hsing Chen and Beng Huat Chua cited its [[Stage combat|fight scenes]] as influential as well as its "hybrid form and its mode of address" which pitches "an elemental story of good against evil in such a spectacle-saturated way."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Chen |first1=Kuan-Hsing |last2=Chua |first2=Beng Huat |title=The Inter-Asia Cultural Studies Reader |date=2015 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-1-134-08396-1 |page=489 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q4d4CAAAQBAJ&pg=PT489 |access-date=23 March 2020 |archive-date=6 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606083852/https://books.google.com/books?id=q4d4CAAAQBAJ&pg=PT489 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Quentin Tarantino]] cited ''Enter the Dragon'' as a formative influence on his career.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fitzmaurice |first=Larry |date=28 August 2015 |title=Quentin Tarantino: The Complete Syllabus of His Influences and References |url=https://www.vulture.com/2015/08/quentin-tarantino-the-complete-syllabus.html |access-date=16 May 2022 |website=[[Vulture.com]] |language=en-us |archive-date=17 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517042305/https://www.vulture.com/2015/08/quentin-tarantino-the-complete-syllabus.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to Scott Mendelson of ''[[Forbes]]'', ''Enter the Dragon'' contains [[spy film]] elements similar to the ''[[James Bond]]'' film series. ''Enter the Dragon'' was the most successful action-spy film to not be part of the ''James Bond'' film series; ''Enter the Dragon'' had an initial global box office comparable to the ''James Bond'' films of that era, and a lifetime gross surpassing every ''James Bond'' film up until ''[[GoldenEye]]''. Mendelson argues that, had Bruce Lee lived after ''Enter the Dragon'' was released, the film had the potential to launch an action-spy film franchise starring Bruce Lee that could have rivalled the success of the ''James Bond'' franchise.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mendelson |first1=Scott |date=15 September 2020 |title=How Bruce Lee's Death Impacted The James Bond Movies |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2020/09/15/bruce-lee-james-bond-roger-moore-enter-the-dragon-movies-box-office/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115214221/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2020/09/15/bruce-lee-james-bond-roger-moore-enter-the-dragon-movies-box-office/ |archive-date=15 January 2021 |access-date=22 December 2020 |website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref>

The film had an impact on [[mixed martial arts|MMA]]. In the opening fight sequence, where Lee fights [[Sammo Hung]], Lee demonstrated elements of what would later become known as MMA. Both fighters wore what would later become common [[mixed martial arts clothing|MMA clothing]] items, including [[MMA gloves|kempo gloves]] and small shorts, and the fight ends with Lee utilising an [[armbar]] (then used in [[judo]] and [[Jujutsu|jiu-jitsu]]) to [[Submission (combat sports)|submit]] Hung. According to [[UFC Hall of Fame]] fighter [[Urijah Faber]], "that was the moment" that MMA was born.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Scott |first1=Mathew |title=Bruce Lee and his starring role in the birth of modern mixed martial arts |url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/mixed-martial-arts/article/3011101/grandfather-mma-bruce-lee-and-his-starring-role-birth |access-date=5 July 2021 |work=[[South China Morning Post]] |date=21 May 2019 |archive-date=8 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210708223800/https://www.scmp.com/sport/mixed-martial-arts/article/3011101/grandfather-mma-bruce-lee-and-his-starring-role-birth |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Robles |first1=Pablo |last2=Wong |first2=Dennis |last3=Scott |first3=Mathew |title=How Bruce Lee and street fighting in Hong Kong helped create MMA |url=https://multimedia.scmp.com/infographics/sport/article/3010883/bruce-lee-and-mixed-martial-arts/index.html |access-date=6 July 2021 |work=[[South China Morning Post]] |date=21 May 2019 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183404/https://multimedia.scmp.com/infographics/sport/article/3010883/bruce-lee-and-mixed-martial-arts/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The ''[[Dragon Ball]]'' [[manga]] and [[anime]] franchise, debuted in 1984, was inspired by ''Enter the Dragon'', which ''Dragon Ball'' creator [[Akira Toriyama]] was a fan of.<ref name="Guide">{{cite book |title=TV Anime Guide: Dragon Ball Z Son Goku Densetsu |date=2003 |publisher=[[Shueisha]] |isbn=4088735463 |chapter=Akira Toriyama × Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru |chapter-url=https://www.kanzenshuu.com/translations/son-goku-densetsu-toriyama-x-nakatsuru/ |access-date=21 November 2019 |archive-date=3 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903173254/https://www.kanzenshuu.com/translations/son-goku-densetsu-toriyama-x-nakatsuru/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=The Dragon Ball Z Legend: The Quest Continues |date=2004 |publisher=DH Publishing Inc |isbn=9780972312493 |page=[https://archive.org/details/dragonballzlegen00iked/page/n6 7] |url=https://archive.org/details/dragonballzlegen00iked|url-access=registration }}</ref> The title ''Dragon Ball'' was also inspired by ''Enter the Dragon'' and the piercing eyes of [[Goku]]'s Super Saiyan transformation was based on Bruce Lee's paralysing glare.<ref name="Guide"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Comic Legends: Why Did Goku's Hair Turn Blonde? |url=https://www.cbr.com/goku-dragon-ball-blonde/ |access-date=21 November 2019 |work=[[Comic Book Resources]] |date=1 January 2018 |archive-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719145451/https://www.cbr.com/goku-dragon-ball-blonde/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Enter the Dragon'' inspired early [[beat 'em up]] brawler games. It was cited by game designer [[Yoshihisa Kishimoto]] as a key inspiration behind [[Technōs Japan]]'s brawler ''[[Renegade (video game)|Nekketsu Kōha Kunio-kun]]'', released as ''Renegade'' in the West.<ref name="Polygon">{{cite news |last1=Leone |first1=Matt |title=The man who created Double Dragon |url=https://www.polygon.com/2012/10/12/3495124/the-man-who-created-double-dragon |access-date=27 April 2021 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date=12 October 2012 |archive-date=29 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191129111402/https://www.polygon.com/2012/10/12/3495124/the-man-who-created-double-dragon |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Williams">{{cite book |last1=Williams |first1=Andrew |title=History of Digital Games: Developments in Art, Design and Interaction |date=16 March 2017 |publisher=[[CRC Press]] |isbn=978-1-317-50381-1 |pages=143–6}}</ref> Its spiritual successor ''[[Double Dragon (video game)|Double Dragon]]'' also drew inspiration from ''Enter the Dragon'', with the game's title being a homage to the film.<ref name="Polygon"/> ''Double Dragon'' also features two enemies named Roper and Williams, a reference to the two characters Roper and Williams from ''Enter the Dragon''. The sequel ''[[Double Dragon II: The Revenge]]'' includes opponents named Bolo and Oharra.

''Enter the Dragon'' was the foundation for [[fighting game]]s.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kapell |first1=Matthew Wilhelm |title=The Play Versus Story Divide in Game Studies: Critical Essays |date=2015 |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |isbn=978-1-4766-2309-2 |page=166 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6s_-CgAAQBAJ&pg=PA166 |access-date=23 March 2020 |archive-date=6 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606083910/https://books.google.com/books?id=6s_-CgAAQBAJ&pg=PA166 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Stuart |first1=Keith |title=Bruce Lee, UFC and why the martial arts star is a video game hero |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/apr/09/bruce-lee-ea-sports- |access-date=20 July 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=9 April 2014 |archive-date=17 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517200634/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/apr/09/bruce-lee-ea-sports- |url-status=live }}</ref> The film's tournament plot inspired numerous fighting games, such as the ''[[Tekken]]'' series, for example.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gill |first1=Patrick |title=Street Fighter and basically every fighting game exist because of Bruce Lee |url=https://www.polygon.com/gaming/2020/9/24/21440150/bruce-lee-movies-street-fighter-fighting-games |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=24 March 2021 |date=24 September 2020 |archive-date=10 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310053038/https://www.polygon.com/gaming/2020/9/24/21440150/bruce-lee-movies-street-fighter-fighting-games |url-status=live }}</ref> The ''[[Street Fighter]]'' video game franchise, debuted in 1987, was inspired by ''Enter the Dragon'', with the gameplay centered around an international fighting tournament, and each character having a unique combination of ethnicity, nationality and fighting style. ''Street Fighter'' went on to set the template for all fighting games that followed.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Thrasher |first1=Christopher David |title=Fight Sports and American Masculinity: Salvation in Violence from 1607 to the Present |date=2015 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-1-4766-1823-4 |page=208 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=77zwCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA208 |access-date=15 March 2020 |archive-date=6 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606082039/https://books.google.com/books?id=77zwCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA208 |url-status=live }}</ref> The little-known 1985 Nintendo arcade game ''[[Arm Wrestling (video game)|Arm Wrestling]]'' contains voice leftovers from the film, as well as their original counterparts. The popular fighting game ''[[Mortal Kombat]]'' borrows multiple plot elements from ''Enter the Dragon'' as does its [[Mortal Kombat (1995 film)|movie adaptation]].

== See also ==
* [[Bruce Lee filmography]]
* [[List of cult films]]
{{Clear}}

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography==
* {{cite book |last1=Polly |first1=Matthew |title=Bruce Lee: A Life |date=2019 |publisher=[[Simon and Schuster]] |isbn=978-1-5011-8763-6}}

== External links ==
{{wikiquote}}
{{commons category}}
* [https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-film-preservation-board/documents/enter_dragon.pdf ''Enter the Dragon''] essay by [[Michael Sragow]] at [[National Film Registry]]
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=deq3xI8OmCkC ''Enter the Dragon''] essay by Daniel Eagan in America's Film Legacy: The Authoritative Guide to the Landmark Movies in the National Film Registry, A&C Black, 2010 {{ISBN|0826429777}}, pages 694–696
* {{IMDb title|0070034}}
* {{hkmdb title|5449}}
* {{mojo title|enterthedragon}}

{{Robert Clouse}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Portal bar|Asia|Film|Hong Kong|Martial arts}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Enter The Dragon}}
[[Category:1973 films]]
[[Category:1973 martial arts films]]
[[Category:1973 multilingual films]]
[[Category:1970s American films]]
[[Category:1970s English-language films]]
[[Category:1970s Hong Kong films]]
[[Category:1970s spy action films]]
[[Category:American films about revenge]]
[[Category:American martial arts films]]
[[Category:American multilingual films]]
[[Category:American spy films]]
[[Category:Concord Production Inc. films]]
[[Category:English-language Hong Kong films]]
[[Category:Films about Shaolin Monastery]]
[[Category:Films about the illegal drug trade]]
[[Category:Films directed by Robert Clouse]]
[[Category:Films scored by Lalo Schifrin]]
[[Category:Films set in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Films set in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Films set on islands]]
[[Category:Films shot in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Hong Kong films about revenge]]
[[Category:Hong Kong martial arts films]]
[[Category:Hong Kong multilingual films]]
[[Category:Jeet Kune Do films]]
[[Category:Karate films]]
[[Category:Kung fu films]]
[[Category:Martial arts tournament films]]
[[Category:United States National Film Registry films]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. films]]
[[Category:English-language action films]]
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[[Category:Golden Harvest distribution]]