Year of the Dragon (1985)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Michael Cimino

Writers:

Robert Daley (novel)
Oliver Stone (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

16 August 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama

Tagline:

It isn't the Bronx or Brooklyn. It isn't even New York. It's Chinatown...and it's about to explode.

Plot:

Using unprecedented degrees of violence, young Joey Tai becomes the head of Chinese mafia in New York and undisputed leader of the Chinese community...

Plot Keywords:

New York | Violence | Chinese Mafia | Vietnam | Chinatown

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 1 win & 7 nominations

Cast

Mickey Rourke	...	Capt. Stanley White
John Lone	...	Joey Tai
Ariane	...	Tracy Tzu
Leonard Termo	...	Angelo Rizzo
Raymond J. Barry	...	Louis Bukowski (as Ray Barry)
Caroline Kava	...	Connie White
Eddie Jones	...	William McKenna
Joey Chin	...	Ronnie Chang
Victor Wong	...	Harry Yung
K. Dock Yip	...	Milton Bin
Hon Lam Bau	...	Fred Hung (as Pao Han Lin)
Way Dong Woo	...	Elder
Jimmy Sun	...	Elder
Daniel Davin	...	Francis Kearney
Mark Hammer	...	Commissioner Brendon S. Sullivan

Runtime:

134 min

Country:

USA

Language:

Mandarin | English | Cantonese | Vietnamese | Polish

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)

Certification:

Canada:R (Nova Scotia) | Singapore:M18 | Iceland:16 | Brazil:16 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Norway:18 | Peru:14 | South Korea:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Bangkok, Thailand

Company:

De Laurentiis Entertainment Group (DEG)

Trivia:

Director Michael Cimino and co-screenwriter Oliver Stone envisioned either Nick Nolte or Jeff Bridges in the lead role. After seeing Rourke in The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984) and working with him on Heaven's Gate (1980), Cimino decided on him.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Scene in Stanley's kitchen, where the sink pipe bursts and water spouts on Stanley - water also gets on the camera lens.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Tracy Tzu: Captain McKenna, any leads in the murder of Jackie Wong?
William McKenna: Nothing at this time.
Tracy Tzu: Do you think this killing means there's some kind of war going on in the Chinatown Tongs?
William McKenna: No, I don't. This is basically a situation where the youth gangs are lashing out at the establishment. The community is cooperating. The situation's under control.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Slanted Screen (2006)

Soundtrack:

Uphill (Peace of Mind)

Yet another under-rated 80's classic

Next to "Barfly", this is Mickey Rourke's best performance. His turn as an uncompromising, tough New York cop is unforgettable.

The story is complex and involved, and much more engaging than your average 80's cop movie. The cinematography is stylish, and the acting performances all around are outstanding, especially John Lone and Raymond J. Barry.

There's some very graphic violence and some revealing sex scenes, so not for the kiddies! (I'm sure my parents regret taking me to see this one in the theater as a teen, but I made them!)

Overall I think this movie was misunderstood and overlooked by the "award people" and critics. Michael Cimino always has a gritty way about his films and this one is no different, maybe the brutality and violence in this film turned some people off. But if you haven't seen it I would highly recommend it. I really hope this one comes out on DVD at some point!