Title: A powder-keg of action and emotion.
Review: It seems quite common to discount Chan's earlier films on the excuse that a) they weren't successful at the box-office, b) they do not bear much relation to the work he produces now. However, alongside Snake And Crane: Arts of Shaolin, Dragon Fist proves that Chan's experiences with Lo Wei were not all bad. The plot is simple, but gives way to rounded characterization, and certainly gives Jackie a role in which he can show off his acting skills. Veteran villain Yen Shi-Kwan gives a tortured performance, that really indicates the level of emotion under the surface. The action is superbly constructed and gives Jackie a chance to show a rage-induced version of his skills that has not been seen before or since. The print may be poor, but this really stands up to close scrutiny, and is another example of why the kung-fu cinema of the 70's is truly underrated.
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