Year of the Dragon 1985
"It isn't the Bronx or Brooklyn, it isn't even New York. It's Chinatown... and it's about to explode."
Michael Cimino's gripping 1985 crime thriller *Year of the Dragon* plunges viewers into the volatile world of 1980s New York's Chinatown, where a brutal battle for power unfolds.
Director: Michael Cimino
Cast
Mickey Rourke
Stanley White
John Lone
Joey Tai
Ariane
Tracy Tzu
Leonard Termo
Angelo Rizzo
Raymond J. Barry
Louis Bukowski
Caroline Kava
Connie White
Eddie Jones
William McKenna
Joey Chin
Ronnie Chang
Victor Wong
Harry Yung
K. Dock Yip
Milton Bin
Frequently Asked Questions
What is *Year of the Dragon* (1985) about?
The film follows Captain Stanley White, an NYPD detective who wages a relentless war against Joey Tai, a rising Chinese-American crime lord. As White's methods grow increasingly extreme, his mission for justice veers into personal destruction, threatening his career, family, and sanity in the volatile streets of Chinatown.
Who directed *Year of the Dragon*?
Michael Cimino, the acclaimed director behind *The Deer Hunter*, helms this intense crime thriller.
Who stars in *Year of the Dragon*?
Mickey Rourke leads the cast as Captain Stanley White, with John Lone as Joey Tai, and Ariane, Caroline Kava, and Raymond J. Barry rounding out the key roles.
Is *Year of the Dragon* (1985) worth watching?
For fans of gritty crime dramas, *Year of the Dragon* is a standout with its bold performances and morally charged narrative. While it's not for the faint of heart due to its violence and intensity, its exploration of obsession and corruption makes it a compelling watch for 1980s cinema enthusiasts.
How long is *Year of the Dragon*?
The film runs for 134 minutes, offering a dense and immersive experience.
🎥 Trailer
About Year of the Dragon (1985) — A Gritty Crime Thriller That Defines Obsession and Chaos
Michael Cimino's gripping 1985 crime thriller *Year of the Dragon* plunges viewers into the volatile world of 1980s New York's Chinatown, where a brutal battle for power unfolds. Mickey Rourke stars as Captain Stanley White, a volatile and morally compromised NYPD detective whose obsession with dismantling a ruthless Chinese-American drug syndicate led by the cunning Joey Tai (John Lone) spirals into a dangerous crusade. As White's investigation spirals out of control, he abandons protocol in favor of brute force, testing his relationships with his wife Connie (Caroline Kava) and superiors alike. The film blends raw action with psychological tension, painting a grim portrait of racial tension, institutional corruption, and the personal toll of vengeance.
Ambition, violence, and the blurred lines between justice and tyranny define this neo-noir masterpiece. With its gritty tone and unflinching portrayal of Chinatown's underworld, *Year of the Dragon (1985)* delivers a high-stakes narrative that's as much about the fall of a man as it is about the rise of a criminal empire.
