Enter the Dragon (1973) - full transcript

Enter the Dragon revolves around the three main characters. Lee, a man recruited by an agency to investigate a tournament hosted by Han, since they believe he has an Opium trade there. Roper and Williams are former army buddies since Vietnam and they enter the tournament due to different problems that they have. Roper is on the run from the Mafia due to his gambling debts, while Williams is harassed by racist police officers and defends himself from them and uses the car for his getaway. It is a deadly tournament that they will enter on an island. Lee's job is to get the other two out of there alive.

Teacher.

I see your talents have gone
beyond the mere physical level.

Your skills are now at the
point of spiritual insight.

I have questions: What is the highest
technique you hope to achieve?

- To have no technique.
- Very good.

What are your thoughts
when facing an opponent?

There is no opponent.

And why is that?

Because the word "I"
does not exist.

So. Continue.

A good fight should be...



like a small play, but
played seriously.

A good martial artist does
not become tense, but ready.

Not thinking, yet not dreaming.

Ready for whatever may come.

When the opponent
expand, I contract.

When he contracts, I expand.

And when there is
an opportunity...

I do not hit.

It hits all by itself.

Now, you must remember...

the enemy has only
images and illusions...

behind which he hides
his true motives.

Destroy the image and you
will break the enemy.

The "it" that you refer to
is a powerful weapon...



easily misused by the martial
artist who deserts his vows.

For centuries now, the code of the
Shaolin Temple has been preserved.

Remember, the honor of our
brotherhood has been held true.

Tell me now the Shaolin
commandment number 13.

"A martial artist has to take
responsibility for himself...

and accept the consequences
of his own doing."

I'm ashamed to tell you now...

among all the Shaolin
men I have taught...

there is one who has turned the
ways of knowledge and strength...

to his own base ends.

He has perverted all
we hold sacred.

His name is Han.

In defiance of all
our beliefs...

he has brought disgrace
to the Shaolin Temple.

So it is now for you to
reclaim our lost honor.

Yes. I understand.

There is a man here.
You will go to him.

Hello, Mr. Lee. My
name's Braithwaite.

Hello, Mr. Braithwaite.

I've come to speak to you about
a matter of great importance.

- Have some tea?
- Yes, indeed.

This is very pleasant.

Mr. Lee, I've come to speak to you
about a tournament of martial arts.

A tournament to which you've
received an invitation.

Specifically, a tournament
organized by Mr. Han.

- Han's tournament.
- I know, I know, I know.

But we'd very much like you to attend
that particular tournament, Mr. Lee.

"We," Mr. Braithwaite?

It's Lao's time.

Yes, of course.

Kick me.

Kick me.

What was that? An exhibition?

We need emotional content.

Try again.

I said, emotional
content, not anger.

Now, try again. With me.

That's it.

How did it feel to you?

Let me think...

Don't think. Feel.

It is like a finger
pointing a way to the moon.

Don't concentrate
on the finger...

or you will miss all
that heavenly glory.

Do you understand?

Never take your eyes off your
opponent, even when you bow.

That's it.

There.

That's Han. That's the
only film we have on him.

We know he was a
member of your temple.

A Shaolin monk, now a renegade.

That's Oharra behind him.
Personal bodyguard.

Tough, ruthless, as you might
expect, being Han's bodyguard.

We got our hands on a
demonstration film of Oharra.

All real bricks and boards,
nothing phony about any of it.

This was before he picked
up a facial scar somewhere.

This is where you'll be going.

An island fortress, really.

After the war, the nationality
of the island was uncertain.

And sometime after
that, Han bought it.

What do you know about Han?

He lives like a king
on that island.

Totally self-sufficient.

All of his efforts, seemingly...

are directed toward supporting what he
calls his "school of martial arts."

Han's only contact with the outside
world is this tournament...

which he holds
every three years.

This was a stewardess, Mary King,
found floating in the harbor.

Nothing unusual about
a body in the harbor.

But this girl was last seen at a
party aboard Han's private junk.

They'd reported her lost at sea
before the body was found.

We believe he selects
attractive girls...

methodically builds their
dependence on drugs...

...then sells them to an elite
clientele around the world.

What did the autopsy reveal
as the cause of death?

- She did not drown.
- She OD'd?

Yes. Cause of death
was heroin overdose.

You still don't have enough
to bust up his operation.

We know everything.
We can prove nothing.

We want you to go in
there as our agent.

- Get us our evidence.
- And get out in one piece to give it to you.

We'll give you
anything you need.

Electronic equipment,
weapons, anything.

- Drink?
- No, thanks.

Guns.

Now, why doesn't somebody pull
out a .45 and bang, settle it?

No. No guns.

Look at this map here.

As you know, the possession of a
weapon is a serious offense here.

Han's island rests partly
within our territorial waters.

If we had the slightest reason to
believe he has any kind of arsenal...

we'd move in on him.

Besides, Han would never allow
guns on the island anyway.

He had a bad experience with them once
and he's fearful of assassination.

You can't really blame him. Any
bloody fool can pull a trigger.

I guess I won't need anything.

There's a radio on the island.
We'll monitor it...

on the chance you can get to it.

And then you come?

Someone will.

We aren't an agency
of enforcement.

We function as gatherers
of information, evidence.

Upon which interested
governments can act.

I see. If there's any trouble,
you make a phone call.

Oh, by the way,
two months ago...

we managed to place a female
operative on the island.

Since then, we've lost her.

If she's there, she
might have something.

Name's Mei Ling.

- Sure you won't have one?
- No, thanks.

But now the time has come to tell
you something very difficult.

I'm happy you have decided
to go to Han's tournament.

Yeah.

The last of the tournaments
were held three years ago.

I was in the city with
your sister at that time.

I didn't know that.

Yes.

Many of Han's men had
come in from the island.

They were everywhere,
bullying and arrogant.

We were on our way into town.

Stay back!

Run! Run!

Now!

Now you know the truth.

When you get to the city...

pay your respects to your
sister and your mother.

I will, old man.

You will not agree with
what I am going to do.

It is contrary to all that
you have taught me...

and all that Su Lin believed.

I must leave.

Please try to find a
way to forgive me.

Double or nothing?

That's about 1000
bucks a foot, Roper.

Why not?

I'm sorry, Mr. Roper isn't in right now.
May I take a message?

That's a tough shot, Mr. Roper.

Excuse me, fellas.

- I say he can't make it.
- What'll you bet?

You gotta love him.

Come on, Roper. It's 175 big
ones by Monday the 15th.

Only 150.

You forget interest.

- Maybe I ought to talk to Freddie.
- You take advantage, Roper.

Come on, fellas.

It's the dough, Roper, or
we gotta break something.

You got it?

Freddie says this is
for your own good.

Better confirm that flight
to Hong Kong for me.

- How much do I have left in the bank?
- $63.43.

- It's all yours.
- Thanks.

- Only, I think you'll need it.
- You wanna bet?

Double-punching. Ready...

Going on a trip, are you?

- Hey, this jig's got a passport.
- Where you going, jig?

- Where's the plane ticket for?
- Hong Kong, via Hawaii.

He's not going to Hawaii.

Well, look what we got here!

Assaulting a police officer.

- Hey, soldier, shape it up!
- Roper! Hey, how are you, man?

How am I, man? How am I? I'm glad
to see you, that's how I am.

- Hey, how long has it been? Five...?
- Six years, man.

- Six.
- It's not as long as it seems.

Yeah, I know what you mean.

- What you been doing since Nam?
- Hanging in a little bit.

- All these yours?
- Always first-class.

Same old Roper.

Come here.

- Parsons.
- Yeah, from New Zealand.

This man's putting quite
a collection together.

Know him?

Never saw him before.

What do you know
about this Han cat?

Just rumors. I hear
he likes to live big.

They don't live so
big over there.

Ghettos are the same
all over the world.

They stink.

Same old Williams.

Yeah.

What have we got here?
A little action.

Insects. Okay, I'll lay you
50 bucks on the big one.

Fifty. $50 on the
big one, all right?

I'll give you 5-to-1.

Would you bet 100?

You're on.

Come on, let's end
this thing quickly.

Thattababy. Come on. Come on!

That's it. Just get him on his back.
Get him on his back! Come on.

Come on. Give up! Come on! Hey.

Oh, for crying out loud.
Would you believe that?

Dumb shit.

Do I bother you?

Don't waste yourself.

- What's your style?
- My style?

You can call it the art of
fighting without fighting.

"The art of fighting
without fighting"?

- Show me some of it.
- Later.

All right.

Don't you think we
need more room?

Where else?

That island, on the beach.
We can take this boat.

Okay.

Hey, what the hell are you doing?
Hey, are you crazy?

Pull me in! Pull me in!

Don't try to pull yourself up
or I'll let go of the line.

Would you look at that?

A woman like that could teach
you a lot about yourself.

Welcome.

This way.

I'll show you to your rooms. The
banquet begins promptly at 8.

I think you'll find our
little island quite charming.

Say, I hope you haven't spent all
that money you won from me yesterday.

- I plan to win it back.
- How?

You'll find out, after
you've lost it.

You seem to be very much
at home here, Mr. Roper.

This guy Han's got a great
sense of hospitality.

And a fantastic sense of style.

Yeah, it's great.

Then why are you
so apprehensive?

Apprehensive?

No. I was just wondering whether
it was okay to drink the water.

Mr. Roper, don't con me.

Wanna bet?

No. I really don't think so.
Thanks.

What's the matter,
you on a diet?

I'd like to eat, if I could find
something I could keep down.

Well, I can't wait to meet our host. I
hear this is only one of his B parties.

You ever been to a martial
arts tournament like this?

Never.

I have a funny feeling we're
being fattened up for the kill.

Better keep an eye
out for the referee.

- Know what I mean?
- Yeah.

Gentlemen, welcome.

You honor our island.

I look forward to
a tournament...

of truly epic proportions.

We are unique, gentlemen...

in that we create ourselves...

through long years of
rigorous training...

sacrifice, denial, pain.

We forge our bodies in
the fire of our will.

But tonight, let us celebrate.

Gentlemen, you have
our gratitude.

Mr. Williams.

Mr. Williams!

For me?

You shouldn't have.

But...

I'll take you, darling.

And you.

And you.

And you.

Please understand, if
I missed anyone...

it's been a big day.

I'm a little tired.

Oh, of course, Mr. Williams.

You must conserve your strength.

Come in.

A gift, Mr. Lee.

- If you don't see anything you like...
- There was a girl at the feast tonight.

Which girl, sir?

The owner of this dart.

Oh, yes. I know the one.

I'll send her to you.

Another fine mess
you got me into.

Come in.

Hi.

Well, well, one more
lovely than the next.

What did you have in mind?

Pick one.

I already have.

Wise decision.

I wanna talk to you, Mei Ling.

Where do you come from?

- Braithwaite--
- Let's be quiet.

Have you seen anything?

Nothing much. I'm kept in
the palace, watched always.

I know nothing of Han's
activities away from the palace.

But I can tell you this:
People disappear.

- Who?
- The girls. Every one of them.

They're summoned to Han's at night
and the next day they're gone.

I know I don't have much time.

You must attend the morning
ritual in uniform.

Outside.

Mr. Lee, why you
no wear uniform?

Gentlemen, let the
tournament begin!

Bolo.

Good work. You made
me some bread.

- Mr. Roper.
- I'm ready.

Okay.

I got myself a real pigeon here.

Keep the action going
for me, will you?

What do you think, Roper?

Oh, no sweat. Give my
friend 8-to-3 all the way.

I'm finding out about myself.

This is the real me, definitely.

Do you like it here?

Oh, yeah. But a little lower.

No. I mean here on the island.

Yeah, I like it here.
But a little lower.

A man like you belongs here.

To you, I'm just
another pretty face.

Where you go?

Out in the moonlight, baby.

It is not allowed.
You must stay.

Goodbye.

A human fly.

Gentlemen...

it seems that one of you...

was not content last night...

with the hospitality
of the palace...

and sought diversion
elsewhere on the island.

Who it was is not important...

at this time.

What is important is that...

my guards performed their
duties incompetently.

And now they must prove...

themselves worthy
to remain among us.

Are you shocked, Mr. Williams?

Only at how sloppy
your man works.

Mr. Lee?

Are you ready?

Boards don't hit back.

- Bolo.
- Go!

Oharra!

Oharra!

Oharra's treachery
has disgraced us.

If you wanna talk about this
thing, I'll be in my room.

Gotcha.

Williams? Williams.

- Go to Han's study as soon as possible.
- All right.

Hey, Roper. I'll see
you in half an hour.

Right.

- Mr. Han?
- You fought well yesterday.

Your style is unorthodox.

But effective.

It is not the art, but the
combat that you enjoy.

The winning.

We are all ready to win...

just as we are born
knowing only life.

It is defeat that you must
learn to prepare for.

I don't waste my time with it.

When it comes, I
won't even notice.

How so?

I'll be too busy looking good.

What were you looking for
when you attacked my guards?

Wasn't me.

You were the only man
outside the palace.

I was outside, but I
wasn't the only one.

You will tell me who else.

Mr. Han, suddenly I'd like
to leave your island.

- It is not possible.
- Bullshit, Mr. Han-Man!

Man, you come right
out of a comic book.

Been practicing?

- Williams is expecting me.
- I wanted to talk to you.

We will meet your
friend Williams later.

- Okay.
- This is my museum.

It is difficult to
associate these horrors...

with the proud civilizations
that created them:

Sparta, Rome, the knights
of Europe, the samurai.

They worship strength
because it is strength...

that makes all other
values possible.

Nothing survives without it.

Who knows what delicate wonders
have died out of the world...

for want of the
strength to survive.

What's this?

A souvenir.

- Up here.
- A guillotine? No, thanks.

This is the only angle
I care to see it from.

If you please, Mr. Roper.

You want me to put my
head on that thing?

An act of faith.

I'm a man of little faith, Mr.
Han.

Very few people can be totally ruthless.
It isn't easy.

It takes more strength
than you might believe.

Now you've got eight more.

Then there is a point
you will not go beyond.

Faked out again.

This way.

Our power plant.

Oh, yeah.

A lifetime of women.

A man's strength can be
measured by his appetites.

Indeed, a man's strength
flows from his appetites.

Oh, no. They are my daughters.

Your daughters?

Oh, I'm sorry. I thought that--
I misunderstood. Miss Han?

And also, they are my
most personal guard.

I admire your judgment.

Nobody's as loyal as
daddy's little girl.

- Mr. Roper?
- No, thanks.

I'll get up myself.

Nice meeting you.

Opium.

We are investing in corruption, Mr.
Roper.

The business of corruption
is like any other.

Oh, yeah.

Provide your customers
with products they need...

and encourage that need a little
bit to stimulate your market...

pretty soon your customers depend on you.
I mean, really need you.

It's the law of economics.

Right.

And here we are stimulating
quite another need.

You wonder why I am
exposing so much of myself?

I forget what I see very easily.

But then, why are you?

I'm hoping you'll join us,
represent us in the United States.

I'm beginning to understand the thing
with the tournament. The whole setup.

It's a great way to
recruit new talent.

And who are they?

The refuse found in
waterfront bars.

Shanghaied?

Just lost, drunken men...

who no longer care where they
find themselves each morning.

You left some rather
sizable debts in America.

Diners Club hasn't
called in my card yet.

Oh, sh--

There were some questions
which I was forced to ask.

I got no answers.

And you want me to join this?

There are certain realities.

I want us to have a
clear understanding.

No.

There's no misunderstanding
between us.

Help me. Help, I'm 17!

I'm from California. Help me!
Please, help me!

Mister, come back, please! You
have to come back. Please!

- Help me! Help me!
- Hey, quiet! Shut up!

The battle with the
guards was magnificent.

Your skill is extraordinary.

And I was going to
ask you to join us.

My God. This came in half an hour ago.
Why didn't I--?

Hello. Put your colonel on.

Well, wake him up.

I don't care if he's not alone.

Damn it all, I don't care who he's with!
You bloody well put him on the line!

Good morning, Mr. Roper. We
have been waiting for you.

What's going on?

Would you be good enough to participate
in this morning's edification?

Edification.

What are you gonna do to him?

Not me, Mr. Roper. You.

Bolo?

Like you said...

there's a point I
won't go beyond.

I was right about you.

We shall strive to be worthy
of your sense of grandeur.

I will find someone with
whom you can fight.

Bolo.

Quick, go destroy them. Kill!

Kill them!

Kill! Fools!

You have offended my family and you
have offended a Shaolin temple.

Remember...

the enemy has only
images and illusions...

behind which he hides
his true motives.

Destroy the image and you
will break the enemy.