The Last Dragon (1985)

In New York City, a young man searches for a Master to obtain the final level of martial arts mastery known as the Glow.

Director:

Michael Schultz

Writer:

Louis Venosta

Stars:

Taimak, Vanity, Christopher Murney

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Taimak	...	Leroy Green
Vanity	...	Laura Charles
Christopher Murney	...	Eddie Arkadian (as Chris Murney)
Julius Carry	...	Sho'nuff / The Shogun of Harlem (as Julius J. Carry III)
Faith Prince	...	Angela Viracco
Leo O'Brien	...	Richie Green
Mike Starr	...	Rock
Jim Moody	...	Daddy Green
Glen Eaton	...	Johnny Yu
Ernie Reyes Jr.	...	Tai
Roger Campbell	...	Announcer
Esther Marrow	...	Mama Green
Keshia Knight Pulliam	...	Sophia (as Keshia Knight)
Jamal Mason	...	Roy
B.J. Barie	...	Jackie

Storyline

In New York City, a young man searches for the "master" to obtain the final level of martial arts mastery known as the glow. Along the way, he must fight a martial arts expert corrupted with power, and rescue a beautiful singer from an obsessed music promoter.

---

Plot Keywords:

new york city | movie theater | title spoken by character | adult lives at home | martial arts | 

---

Taglines:

He's a martial arts master who refuses to fight. He's a Bruce Lee fan who's so sure he's Oriental that he eats popcorn with chopsticks. His friends think he's too serious. His family thinks he's crazy. His enemies think he's no challenge. But she knows he's The Last Dragon.

---

Genres:

Action | Comedy | Drama | Music

---

Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 March 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Berry Gordy's The Last Dragon

Filming Locations:

Alphabet City, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,254,359, 24 March 1985

Gross USA:

$25,754,284

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$25,754,284

Company Credits

Production Co:

Delphi III Productions, Motown Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Filming began April 16th, 1984. Locations include: The Victory Theater on 42nd Street, Bernstein's-on-Essex (an Oriental delicatessen used with its decor intact), the Harlem Karate Institute, a pizza restaurant in lower Manhattan, a Chinese warehouse on Walker Street in Manhattan, Super Amusements in Flushing, Queens, and an abandoned wire factory and warehouse at East 118th and East Side Highway in Manhattan.

---

Goofs

When Sho'nuff's crew enters the theater, the gang members stand on either side, in mixed lines of 3. When the camera cuts back, 3 women are in the left, and 3 men are on the right.

---

Quotes

Laura Charles: I thought that maybe it would be a great idea if I got myself a bodyguard. You know, like someone to guard my body? What girl could do worse that to have her own real life kung fu master?
Leroy Green: I am no master.
Laura Charles: You sure look like a master to me.

---

Alternate Versions

UK cinema and video versions were cut by just under 2 minutes by the BBFC to remove all footage of nunchakus.

---

Connections

Featured in re:View: The Last Dragon (2019)

---

Soundtracks

Coke Is It (Coca-Cola Commercial)
Performed by El DeBarge (as DeBarge)
Written by Dave DeLuca
Produced by El DeBarge (as Eldra DeBarge)

User Reviews

Sho'Nuff!

I recently saw this movie for the first time, and I actually liked it.

I think I enjoyed this movie so much because it was like a time capsule of the 1980s. I remember all those songs on the soundtrack, and I remember how popular Vanity was during that time. Mostly though, I remember the b-boys. *swoon* I can totally see this movie being a hit with kids back in the day because they'd look up to Taimak's character, and breakdancing was the BOMB... I'm sure he was all the rage then. But it's kind of a positive role model type thing for the kids too, and I can see parents really digging that, thinking that this movie is a selection that'll keep the youngstaz outta trouble for an hour and forty-five minutes or whatever.

> This is an action packed movie. There is never a dull minute from the time we see the opening scene of the Tae Kwon Do exercises, to the final "battle" between good and evil, there's something keeping you there and interested. I think Bruce Leroy's little brother almost steals the show, because he's such a scam artist. He's like a very young wisecracking Chris Tucker-type or somebody. That kid is hilarious. He's obviously hip, and aware of what's cool during that time. He's also got a crush on Laura (Vanity)... Who wouldn't? He's a red-blooded American boy!

The most meaningful part of this movie for me was the thing with the brothers... The bridging of the gap between the brothers. That was really special, because Bruce Leroy Green in all his naivete really was very different from his little bro... Like, there's a cultural GAP between them or something!

I'd recommend this movie to anyone who has a passion for the roots of hip-hop, graffiti (and there is a BUNCH to be seen around the sets) or urban culture, martial arts, or just a well told funny story. It is a comedy--it's even a comedy from the eighties, so get ready to see some multi-colored, checkerboard, neon green, and bright orange patterned madness--but know that this movie has its message too. I kinda think movies like this are quite rare. It isn't often you get to see a young man become a hero of his own accord.

But, you know... I couldn't be sure if the Sho'Nuff character wasn't really Busta' Rhymes or somebody... =P