The Dream Bruce Lee Never Filmed: “Circle of Iron” Gets a 4K SteelBook From Blue Underground August 25
The Bruce Lee-conceived martial arts fantasy, starring David Carradine in four roles, arrives in a world-premiere 4K restoration housed in a Limited Edition SteelBook.
Some films are fascinating as much for their backstory as their content, and Circle of Iron is a prime example. On August 25, Blue Underground proudly presents the world-premiere 4K restoration of the cult martial arts fantasy in an exclusive Limited Edition SteelBook, and for collectors who prize boutique physical media with a great story attached, this one checks every box. It is the rare disc that doubles as a piece of Bruce Lee history.
A Project Born From a Legend
Here is the hook that elevates Circle of Iron above your average chopsocky entry. At the height of his international fame, the legendary Bruce Lee, along with his friend and student James Coburn and Oscar-winning screenwriter Stirling Silliphant, began writing what he believed would be the greatest achievement of his film career, originally titled The Silent Flute. Lee envisioned it as an entertaining introduction to Eastern philosophy as much as a martial arts adventure. He ultimately abandoned the project in pre-production amid creative friction, and after his mysterious death in 1973, the screenplay was completed by Silliphant and Stanley Mann, with Lee’s intended role going to Kung Fu star David Carradine. Five years after Lee’s passing, his vision finally reached the screen.
The result is a still-potent blend of mysticism, humor, and martial arts mayhem. In a land that never existed, a young fighter named Cord, played by Jeff Cooper, embarks on a quest for a fabled book of all knowledge, facing a gauntlet of opponents, most of them played by David Carradine, who takes on four roles including the blind, flute-playing master who guides Cord toward the true meaning of martial arts and life. The acclaimed cult hit also stars Christopher Lee, Roddy McDowall, and Eli Wallach, lending real gravity to its offbeat fantasy.
A Restoration Worthy of the Legacy
For physical-media fans, the technical package is the headline. Circle of Iron, also known as The Silent Flute, has been scanned in 4K 16-bit from its original camera negative, presented with Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio. It is a substantial upgrade over Blue Underground’s earlier DVD and Blu-ray editions, and a first-ever 4K presentation for a film whose lush Israeli locations and Bruce Smeaton score have always been among its strongest assets.
The disc specs:
- Audio: English Dolby Atmos, 5.1 DTS-HD MA, 1.0 DTS-HD MA
- Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish
- Region Free
- Packaging: 2-Disc Limited Edition with 4K UHD Blu-ray and remastered Blu-ray in collectible SteelBook with a clear slipcover
From the Vaults
The extras blend new and archival material:
- Audio Commentary #1 with director Richard Moore
- NEW Audio Commentary #2 with film historians Frank Djeng and Chris Poggiali
- Playing The Silent Flute, an interview with star David Carradine
- NEW Circle Of Success, an interview with co-star Anthony De Longis
- The Producer, an interview with co-producer Paul Maslansky
- Karate Master, an interview with martial arts coordinator Joe Lewis
- Audio interview with co-writer Stirling Silliphant
- Alternate opening
- Trailers and TV spots
- NEW poster and still gallery
Where to Buy
Here is the state of play.
- Release date: August 25, 2026
- Format: Limited Edition 2-Disc SteelBook (4K UHD Blu-ray plus remastered Blu-ray)
- Available exclusively at: MVD Shop
- Distributor: Blue Underground
The Vitals
The quick-scan version.
| Title | Circle of Iron (1978), aka The Silent Flute |
| Directed by | Richard Moore |
| Story by | Bruce Lee, James Coburn, Stirling Silliphant |
| Screenplay by | Stirling Silliphant and Stanley Mann |
| Starring | David Carradine, Jeff Cooper, Christopher Lee, Roddy McDowall, Eli Wallach |
| Label | Blue Underground |
| Restoration | New 4K 16-bit scan from the original camera negative, Dolby Vision / Dolby Atmos |
| Release date | August 25, 2026 |
| Format | Limited Edition SteelBook (4K UHD + Blu-ray), Region Free |
| Learn more | Wikipedia and IMDb |
Where It Stands
Circle of Iron lands on 4K as exactly the kind of release boutique physical media exists for: a curio with a legendary pedigree, restored to its best-ever presentation and packed with worthwhile extras in a collector-grade SteelBook. Whether you come for the Bruce Lee connection, Carradine’s quadruple duty, or the murderers’ row of supporting players, this is an easy one to add to the shelf. I will have a fuller AndersonVision look at the disc once it arrives, transfer and extras included.
For more, here is our ongoing 4K UHD catalog coverage, and our running file on martial arts cinema is right this way.
