The Chinese Connection
20th Century Fox (1972)
Action, Drama
In Collection
#618
7*
Seen It:  Yes
(6/13/2011)
024543014157
IMDB   6.8
103 mins USA/English
DVD  Region 1   R
Bruce Lee Chen Zhen
Nora Miao Yuan Le-erh
James Tien Fan Chun-hsia
Maria Yi Yen
Robert Baker Petrov
Fu Ching Chen Chao
San Chin Tung
Yin-Chieh Han Feng Kwai-sher
Riki Hashimoto Hiroshi Suzuki
Jun Arimura Susuki's bodyguard
Chung-Hsin Huang Tien
Director Wei Lo
Lo Wei
Producer Raymond Chow
Leonard Ho
Liang Hua
Liang Hua Liu
Writer Bruce Lee
Wei Lo
Kuang Ni
Lo Wei

One of the best action films starring the legendary Bruce Lee , this movie features the martial artist as Chen Chen, who returns to his former school in early 20th century Shanghai when he learns that his beloved instructor has been murdered. While probing the man's death and seeking vengeance, Chen discovers that a drug smuggling operation, a rival school, and simmering racial tensions between Chinese and Japanese locals are factors in the nefarious dealings at his alma mater and in his master's slaying. Chen's got his work cut out for him as he takes on assassins of both races, and even a towering Russian. Variously titled The Chinese Connection and The Iron Hand , Fist of Fury features stunt work by a young Jackie Chan (who served as Lee's double). The film was remade two and a half decades later as Fist of Legend (1999), with Jet Li in the role of Chen. — Karl Williams
Edition Details
Distributor 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Chapters 22
Release Date 8/1/1999
Packaging Keep Case
Screen Ratio 2.35:1
Subtitles English
Audio Tracks ENGLISH: Dolby Digital Mono [CC]
Layers Single Side, Single Layer
No. of Disks/Tapes 1
Personal Details
Purchase Date 7/3/2001
Owner Thomas Eisenmann
Store Best Buy
Condition Excellent
Reviewed Widescreen Review
Bit Rate 192 KB
Anamophic No
Links IMDB
Amazon US
Chinese Connection at Movie Collector Connect

Features
Color Widescreen

Widescreen Review
Story Synopsis:
The Chinese Connection finds Lee portraying Chen Jeh, a martial arts expert whose kung-fu master has been murdered. Chen Jeh vows vengeance on the hoodlums who committed this horrible crime, but discovers he has more danger ahead when the perpetrators turn out to be a vicious gang of drug smugglers. The Bruce Lee Master Collection (from which this movie was viewed) contains five discs: the documentary, “Bruce Lee The Legend” and his four films: The Chinese Connection (which was originally released as Fist Of Fury), which is not to be confused with Fists Of Fury (originally entitled The Big Boss, but - stay with me - occasionally The Chinese Connection has been incorrectly distributed as The Big Boss), Return Of The Dragon and Game Of Death. Incidentally, “Bruce Lee The Legend” is a well-done 88 minute documentary that chronicles the life and career of a man who will live on in the hearts of martial arts movie fans forever.

DVD Picture:
Images on this 2.30:1 disc are generally wanting in sharpness, appearing out-of-focus on anything but close-up shots and lacking fine detail. Colors are often nicely rendered with generally natural fleshtones, though dated. Colors are often nicely rendered, with generally natural fleshtones, though dated. Large artifacts, minor pixelization and aliasing problems are apparent throughout. Edge enhancement is also distracting. Contrast and shadow delineation are poorly rendered, and as well, damage from the source material such as print scratches and artifacts are apparent.

Soundtrack:
The Dolby®Digital 2.0 soundtrack is encoded in dual-channel big fat mono. When Dolby ProLogic®-decoded, the mono is properly placed in the center channel. The soundtrack is of poor quality, so much so that you probably would not be able to differentiate the sound characteristics of this film from one made in the 1950s. Distortion is prevalent throughout, and dialogue intelligibility is compromised.