Verdict
Summary
Blue Underground has just released a gorgeous steel book 4K Ultra HD / Blu-ray combo pack, available exclusively through the MVD shop, and the artwork on the front and back is just incredible. The new 4K scan is a superior upgrade from the previous Blu-ray release, and they’ve ported over all previous extras, which includes a commentary by the director, plus archival interviews with Carradine, co-producers, and more, but they’ve also added a new commentary by a film historian, plus a new interview with co-star Anthony DeLongis. There’s a slipcover as well. This is a stellar release by a stellar company.
Plot:
A barbarian goes on a quest for a mystic to teach him a lesson.
Review:
Martial artist barbarian Cord the Seeker (Jeff Copper) has taken a vow of chastity and wanders the wastelands in search of the all-knowing mystic known as Zetan and his sacred book of knowledge. He’s found himself in the middle of a martial arts tournament in the middle of nowhere because he thinks that by winning a medallion of accomplishment that Zetan will take notice from his high place of dwelling. When he’s accused of breaking the rules in the tournament, he’s cast out and he encounters a blind shaman (played by David Carradine), who has astonishing skills in the martial arts. The blind man gives him some advice, and Cord is only too eager to seek out several other sages in the wilderness to direct him on his way to Zetan. He then encounters and fights Monkeyman (also played by Carradine), who tells him to find a rose, and then he finds the warlord Changsha (again, played by Carradine), who gives Cord one of his most beautiful brides to sleep with for the night, thus breaking his vow of chastity. Finally, he encounters Death (Carradine one more time), and deals with tragedy, while meeting up with The Blind Man again, who seems to be the only one out of the bunch who knows exactly where Cord will ultimately end up. Cord eventually finds Zetan (played by Christopher Lee) and opens the sacred book, revealing to himself the true meaning of personal philosophy and realization.
Conceived as a project by Bruce Lee, but ultimately realized by star Carradine, screenwriters James Coburn and Stirling Silliphant, and director Richard Moore (who never directed another film), Circle of Iron is a fantastic fantasy film in the tradition of Pilgrim’s Progress and The Wizard of Oz, but with a decidedly adult perspective, and with lots of martial arts. Star Jeff Cooper looks interesting on screen, but he never really did much of significance in his career, and this remains one of Carradine’s best chances to shine as a performer. Carradine as The Blind Man is quintessential Carradine (complete with a long flute as a weapon), and the filming locations in Israel are gorgeous and unique. Truly a special motion picture experience, Circle of Iron deserves to be discovered.
Blue Underground has just released a gorgeous steel book 4K Ultra HD / Blu-ray combo pack, available exclusively through the MVD shop, and the artwork on the front and back is just incredible. The new 4K scan is a superior upgrade from the previous Blu-ray release, and they’ve ported over all previous extras, which includes a commentary by the director, plus archival interviews with Carradine, co-producers, and more, but they’ve also added a new commentary by a film historian, plus a new interview with co-star Anthony DeLongis. There’s a slipcover as well. This is a stellar release by a stellar company. You can buy it here: https://mvdshop.com/products/circle-of-iron-steelbook-4k-ultra-hd-blu-ray?srsltid=AfmBOopHltA1ryPzlg81-xndZGv57g5_kLDZ6nYYnEQ2u28KLIbBNv4h