Jean-Claude Van Damme made his directorial debut with this surprisingly decent martial arts action adventure. He also stars as a small-time street criminal in 1920s New York who finds himself a stowaway on a ship headed for the South China Sea. Following an attack by pirates, Van Damme meets Lord Edgar Dobbs (Roger Moore), and ends up in the charge of a martial arts master. Soon Van Damme is entered into the "ultimate fighting match" with prize of a solid-gold dragon statue for the winner. Van Damme made a career starring in fighting tournament movies like this one, but this self-directed effort is remarkably better than his usual output.

Ghang-gheng, the ancient winner-take-all competition in which the deadliest fighters from around the world employ the most spectacular feats of martial arts skills ever displayed in order to win the prized Golden Dragon. But fighting prowess alone will not be enough for Chris to triumph over such daunting foes.