Editing Enter the Dragon (section)

== Production ==
Due to the success of his earlier films, [[Warner Bros.]] began helping Bruce Lee with the film in 1972. They brought in producers [[Fred Weintraub]] and [[Paul Heller]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Distinguished Asian Americans: A Biographical Dictionary|first=Hyung-chan|last=Kim|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=1999|isbn=9780313289026|page=[https://archive.org/details/distinguishedasi00kimh/page/179 179]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/distinguishedasi00kimh/page/179}}</ref> The film was produced on a tight production budget of $850,000.<ref name="Polly">{{cite book |last1=Polly |first1=Matthew |title=Bruce Lee: A Life |date=2019 |publisher=[[Simon and Schuster]] |isbn=978-1-5011-8763-6 |page=478 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5bGWDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA478 |quote=''Enter the Dragon'' struck a responsive chord across the globe. Made for a minuscule $850,000, it would gross $90 million worldwide in 1973 and go on to earn an estimated $350 million over the next forty-five years. |access-date=8 June 2020 |archive-date=20 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620092030/https://books.google.com/books?id=5bGWDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA478 |url-status=live }}</ref> Fighting sequences were staged by Bruce Lee.<ref name="WorldCat">{{cite book |title=Enter the dragon |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/39222462 |via=WorldCat |oclc=39222462 |access-date=4 September 2022 |archive-date=5 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305220723/https://search.worldcat.org/title/39222462 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Writing ===
The screenplay title was originally named ''Blood and Steel''. The story features heroic protagonists who are Asian, White, and Black, as the producers wanted a film that would appeal to the widest possible international audience.<ref>{{cite book|first=Brian |last=Locke|title=Racial Stigma on the Hollywood Screen from World War II to the Present: The Orientalist Buddy Film|publisher=Springer|year= 2009|isbn= 9780230101678 |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=CU9rAQAAQBAJ&q=peter+archer+enter+the+dragon&pg=PA71 71]}}</ref> The scene in which Lee states that his style is "Fighting Without Fighting" is based upon a famous anecdote involving the 16th century [[samurai]] [[Tsukahara Bokuden]].<ref name="martialDirect">{{cite web|last=Brockett|first=Kip|date=12 August 2007|title=Bruce Lee Said What? 'Finding the Truth in Bruce Lee's Writings'|url=http://www.martialdirect.com/articles/bruceleept1.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170725232300/http://www.martialdirect.com/articles/bruceleept1.htm|archive-date=25 July 2017|work=Martialdirect.com}}</ref><ref name="bokuden">{{cite web|url=http://www.nineblue.com/kids/news_details.aspx?user_id=31|title=Bully Busters Art of Fighting without Fighting|date=12 August 2007|work=Nineblue.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080111103938/http://www.nineblue.com/kids/news_details.aspx?user_id=31|archive-date=11 January 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Casting ===
[[Rod Taylor]] was first choice for playing the down-on-his-luck martial artist Roper. Director [[Robert Clouse]] had already worked with Taylor in the 1970 film ''[[Darker than Amber (film)|Darker than Amber]]''. However, Taylor was dropped after Bruce Lee deemed him to be too tall for the role.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wingchunnews.ca/john-saxon-enter-the-dragon-star-dies-at-83/|title=John Saxon, 'Enter the Dragon' Star, Dies At 83|website=www.wingchunnews.ca|date=26 July 2020|access-date=5 January 2022|archive-date=5 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205173809/https://www.wingchunnews.ca/john-saxon-enter-the-dragon-star-dies-at-83/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityonfire.com/commentary/etd.mp3|title=City On Fire (audio commentatary)|access-date=5 January 2022|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170453/http://www.cityonfire.com/commentary/etd.mp3|url-status=live}}</ref> [[John Saxon]], who was a black belt in [[Judo]] and [[Shotokan|Shotokan Karate]] (he studied under [[Grandmaster (martial arts)|grandmaster]] [[Hidetaka Nishiyama]] for three years),<ref>{{cite journal|date=April 1973|title=New Bruce Lee Film on its way to American movie theatres|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ndcDAAAAMBAJ|journal=[[Black Belt magazine]]|volume=11|pages=11–12|number=4|access-date=28 September 2020|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501231102/https://books.google.com/books?id=ndcDAAAAMBAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> became the preferred choice.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TNcDAAAAMBAJ&q=The+Growth+of+Judo+and+Karate+Declining+in+the+US&pg=PA4|title=Black Belt|first=|last= |date=1 August 1973|publisher=[[Active Interest Media]]|access-date=3 January 2018|via=Google Books|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501231041/https://books.google.com/books?id=TNcDAAAAMBAJ&q=The+Growth+of+Judo+and+Karate+Declining+in+the+US&pg=PA4|url-status=live}}</ref> During contractual negotiations, Saxon's agent told the film's producers that if they wanted him they would have to change the plot so that the character of Williams is killed instead of Roper. They agreed and the script was changed.<ref name="talk">{{cite book|title=Reflections on Blaxploitation: Actors and Directors Speak|last=Walker|first=David, Andrew J. Rausch, Chris Watson|publisher=Scarecrow Press|year= 2009|isbn=9780810867062|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=LofIsZJPfEcC&q=john+saxon+enter+the+dragon&pg=PA112 112]}}</ref> In a six decade career, the character would become one of Saxon's best known roles.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/john-saxon-best-known-for-his-roles-in-enter-the-dragon-a-nightmare-on-elm-street-dies-at-83-8644151.html|title=John Saxon, best known for his roles in Enter the Dragon, A Nightmare on Elm Street, dies at 83|publisher=www.firstpost.com|date=27 July 2020|access-date=5 January 2022|archive-date=5 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105112720/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/john-saxon-best-known-for-his-roles-in-enter-the-dragon-a-nightmare-on-elm-street-dies-at-83-8644151.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Rockne Tarkington]] was originally cast in the role of Williams. However, he unexpectedly dropped out days before the production was about to begin in Hong Kong. Producer Fred Weintraub knew that karate world champion [[Jim Kelly (martial artist)|Jim Kelly]] had a training dojo in [[Crenshaw, Los Angeles]], so he hastily arranged a meeting. Weintraub was immediately impressed, and Kelly was cast in the film.<ref name=horn>{{citation|last=Horn|first=John|title=Jim Kelly, 'Enter the Dragon' star, dies at 67|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=1 July 2013|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-jim-kelly-enter-the-dragon-star-dies-20130701,0,852055.story|access-date=19 August 2015|archive-date=22 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422061104/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-jim-kelly-enter-the-dragon-star-dies-20130701,0,852055.story|url-status=live}}</ref> The success of Kelly's appearance launched his career as a star: after ''Enter the Dragon'', he signed a three-film deal with [[Warner Bros.|Warner Bros]]<ref name="Blackbelt">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-c8DAAAAMBAJ&q=black+belt+may+1992+p+18&pg=PA22|title=Black Belt Magazine|last=Clary|first=David|date=May 1992|publisher=Active Interest Media, Inc.|pages=18–21|access-date=10 November 2020|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501231027/https://books.google.com/books?id=-c8DAAAAMBAJ&q=black+belt+may+1992+p+18&pg=PA22|url-status=live}}</ref> and went on to make several martial arts-themed [[blaxploitation]] films in the 1970s.<ref>''Reflections on Blaxploitation: Actors and Directors Speak'', 2009. pps.[https://books.google.com/books?id=LofIsZJPfEcC&q=jim+kelly+&pg=PA129 129–130] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007111549/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=LofIsZJPfEcC&lpg=PR1&pg=PA129#v=onepage&q=jim%20kelly%20 |date=7 October 2018 }}</ref>

[[Jackie Chan]] has uncredited roles as various guards during the fights with Lee. However, [[Yuen Wah]] was Lee's main stunt double for the film, responsible for the gymnastics stunts such as the cartwheels and jumping back flip in the opening fight.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ringtalk.com/those-amazing-bruce-lee-film-stunts|title=Those Amazing Bruce Lee Film Stunts|last=Boutwell|first=Malcolm|date=7 July 2015|website=ringtalk.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151130210705/http://ringtalk.com/those-amazing-bruce-lee-film-stunts|archive-date=30 November 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=29 September 2016}}</ref>

[[Sammo Hung]] also has an uncredited role in the opening fight scene against Lee at the start of the film.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://blackbeltmag.com/bruce-lee-enter-the-dragon |title=Bruce Lee Movies: Enter the Dragon, Seen Through the Eyes of a Martial Arts Movies Expert |date=13 May 2013 |access-date=17 January 2021 |archive-date=21 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121053241/https://blackbeltmag.com/bruce-lee-enter-the-dragon |url-status=live }}</ref>

A rumour surrounding the making of ''Enter The Dragon'' claims that actor [[Robert Wall|Bob Wall]] did not like Bruce Lee and that their fight scenes were not choreographed. However, Wall has denied this, stating he and Lee were good friends.<ref name="city on fire">{{cite web|url=http://www.cityonfire.com/feature-bob-wall-interview/|title=Bob Wall Interview|last=Bona|first=JJ|date=10 January 2011|website=Cityonfire|publisher=cityonfire.com|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-date=22 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322210358/http://cityonfire.com/feature-bob-wall-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Filming ===
The film was shot on location in Hong Kong. In keeping with local film-making practices, scenes were [[Cinema of Hong Kong#Language and sound|filmed without sound]]: dialogue and sound effects were added or dubbed in during [[post-production]]. Bruce Lee, after he had been goaded or challenged, fought several real fights with the film's [[Extra (acting)|extras]] and some set intruders during filming.<ref>{{cite book|title=Bruce Lee: Fighting Spirit|first=Bruce|last= Thomas|publisher=Pan Macmillan|year= 2008|isbn=9780283070662|page=300}}</ref> The scenes on Han's Island were filmed at a residence known as Palm Villa near the coastal town of [[Stanley, Hong Kong|Stanley]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmapia.com/where-is-it-shot/films/enter-the-dragon|title=Enter the Dragon Movie Shooting Locations|publisher=filmapia.com|access-date=24 March 2018|archive-date=25 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325050214/http://www.filmapia.com/where-is-it-shot/films/enter-the-dragon|url-status=live}}</ref> The villa is now demolished and the area heavily redeveloped around [[Tai Tam Bay]] where the martial artists were filmed coming ashore.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@22.2290867,114.2190769,3a,82.6y,282.67h,89.5t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sAF1QipM4rkhV9EDx6QDj_-8MoA3zNfiLbCO4mlEl__42!2e10!3e11!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipM4rkhV9EDx6QDj_-8MoA3zNfiLbCO4mlEl__42%3Dw203-h100-k-no-pi0-ya307.86285-ro-0-fo100!7i10240!8i5120|title=Google Maps|website=Google Maps|access-date=5 January 2022|archive-date=5 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305220641/https://www.google.com/maps/@22.2290867,114.2190769,3a,82.6y,282.67h,89.5t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sAF1QipM4rkhV9EDx6QDj_-8MoA3zNfiLbCO4mlEl__42!2e10!3e11!6shttps://lh5.googleusercontent.com/p/AF1QipM4rkhV9EDx6QDj_-8MoA3zNfiLbCO4mlEl__42%3Dw203-h100-k-no-pi0-ya307.86285-ro-0-fo100!7i10240!8i5120?shorturl=1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hkcinemagic.com/en/page.asp?aid=326&page=12|title=Enter The Dragon / 龍爭虎鬥 (1973 / Dir: Robert Clouse)|website=www.hkcinemagic.com|date=18 September 2011|access-date=5 January 2022|archive-date=5 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105143834/http://www.hkcinemagic.com/en/page.asp?aid=326&page=12|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Soundtrack ===
{{further|Enter the Dragon (soundtrack)}}
Argentinian musician [[Lalo Schifrin]] composed the film's musical score. While Schifrin was widely known at the time for his jazz scores, he also incorporated funk and traditional film score elements into the film's soundtrack.<ref>{{cite web|last=Guarisco|first=Donald|title=Lalo Schifrin: Enter the Dragon [Music from the Motion Picture] – Review|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/lalo-schifrin-enter-the-dragon-music-from-the-motion-picture-mw0000458280|website=All Music Guide|access-date=17 November 2012|archive-date=26 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726032025/http://www.allmusic.com/album/lalo-schifrin-enter-the-dragon-music-from-the-motion-picture-mw0000458280|url-status=live}}</ref> He composed the score by sampling sounds from China, [[Korea]], and Japan. The soundtrack has sold over 500,000 copies, earning a [[Music recording sales certification|gold record]].<ref name="press.uillinois.edu"/>