Year Of The Dragon on DVD (1985)

OVERLOOKED CIMINO CLASSIC - RENT!!!!!!

Adam Stocker from UK , 26/06/2004

I remember seeing Year of the Dragon on video back in 1985 and althoug a very young person was perplexed by Cimino trade mark wonderful direction and the amazing performace of a then up and coming Rourke.

An oliver stone script adds meat to the original novel whilst Cimino adds a French Connection-esque realism to the directing. The two combined along with the amazing casting of Rourke and John Lone provide a fluid, well timed, intelligent crime thriller with gritty realism and character exploration that you will be glad you watched the film for whilst also scratching your head wondering how this classic was overlooked upon its initial 1985 release.

If anything I would say I actually preferred this to Cimino' multi oscar winner The Deer Hunter.

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Times sure have changed

Melon from East Sussex , 31/07/2004

This has been unavailable for years due to it's falling foul of the political correctness lobby since the Eighties. Watching it again they may well have had a point as it is suprisingly sexist and racist, as the plot is filtered through Rourke's unreconstructed Viet vet supercop, who seems unable to distinguish between the Chinese he's arresting and the Vietnamese he fought in the jungle.

The film is far crasser than I remember it, but is still well worth a watch for Lone's slippery Triad boss double crossing all and sundry, and for Cimino's classy handling of the superb shootouts. Essesntially it's a western remade with Rourke's marshall pledging to clean up Chinatown, and is filled with all the cliches that description suggests.

This was a return to form for Cimino after the 'Heaven's Gate' debacle, revisiting 'The Deer Hunter' territory (Vietnam, Rourke's Polish background) and ripping himself off in places (the music is definitely derivative at times). Still, he deserves full marks for giving a potboiler cop story an excellently photographed epic spin (particularly with Lone's visit to Thailand and the grandiose crowd scenes).

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Year of the Drongo

A customer from London, England , 08/01/2005

First watched this on its cinema release 20 years ago. Time has not been kind. Main problem is Mickey Rourke; his tough rule-bending cop comes over unintentionally camp, with a white shock of hair a la Gary Numan and an acting style just as charismatic. The film is way too long and none of the characters elict the audience's sympathy. Violence is hiliarously clumsy.

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basic but good

A customer from berkshire best , 03/03/2005

An intresting film, the acting is good,but the directing is awful. An early Bruce Willis type action movie

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A must see Cimino classic

Muks from Middlesex, England , 16/09/2005

I first saw this film when it first came out around 1985 and was impressed with the violent content. This movie shows an insider view of the way the Chinese Triads operate mercilessly. Indeed, this is a violent film that you would expect from Cimino. Due credit should also go to the unknown Chinese youngsters who gave the film it's kick. Excellent performances from Mickey Rourke and John Lone. If you like your films violent and menacing - then this is the one for you. Fast paced and full of action all the way.

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Year of the Drongo

A customer from London, England , 08/01/2005

First watched this on its cinema release 20 years ago. Time has not been kind. Main problem is Mickey Rourke; his tough rule-bending cop comes over unintentionally camp, with a white shock of hair a la Gary Numan and an acting style just as charismatic. The film is way too long and none of the characters elict the audience's sympathy. Violence is hiliarously clumsy.

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