The hardest work, however, was done in the sound dubbing studio, making all those back-slapping whip-cracking, bone-crushing noises.

Without Lee's charisma or guidance, the movie never sparks to life.

Five years after his untimely death, Lee's vision project was finally made. Whether or not it's truly his vision, the world will never know. One thing is for sure though - this is one confusing, self indulgent and often tedious film.

By downplaying the physical and emphasizing the cerebral (or in some cases, the spiritual) Lee was looking to take the genre to another level. For that alone (Circle of Iron) is very important.