Circle of Iron

Circle of Iron is a 1978 martial arts film co-written by Bruce Lee, who intended to star in the film himself, but he died before production. The film is also known as The Silent Flute, which was the original title of the story conceived by Bruce Lee, James Coburn, and Stirling Silliphant in 1969. After Lee's death in 1973, Silliphant and Stanley Mann completed the screenplay, and Lee's part was given to the Kung Fu television star, David Carradin... more

Circle of Iron is a 1978 martial arts film co-written by Bruce Lee, who intended to star in the film himself, but he died before production. The film is also known as The Silent Flute, which was the original title of the story conceived by Bruce Lee, James Coburn, and Stirling Silliphant in 1969. After Lee's death in 1973, Silliphant and Stanley Mann completed the screenplay, and Lee's part was given to the Kung Fu television star, David Carradine. Many other well known character actors also had small roles in the film, including Roddy McDowall, Eli Wallach, and Christopher Lee. A martial artist rebel named Cord (played by Jeff Cooper) embarks on a quest for the Book of Enlightenment, which is kept by the mysterious Zetan (played by Christopher Lee). He must pass various trials along the way that educate him in Zen philosophy. Among the characters that he runs across are a blind flute-player, a monkey chieftain, a death character, and the leader of a gypsy tribe (all played by David... less