Walk Like a Dragon Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?
Complete breakdown of the climax, final twists, and spoilers for Walk Like a Dragon.
Walk Like a Dragon Ending Explained: California, 1870s. Directed by James Clavell, this 1960 western film stars Jack Lord (Lincoln 'Linc' Bartlett), alongside Nobu McCarthy as Kim Sung, James Shigeta as Cheng Lu, Mel Tormé as The Deacon. With a 6.3/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of Walk Like a Dragon?
California, 1870s. The cowboy Lincoln 'Linc' Bartlett finds out there's a slave auction of Chinese women in San Francisco and he intervenes and purchases the Chinese Kim Sung from the auction with the intent of setting her free. But it doesn't occur to Linc that setting her free isn't enough. Where is she going to go? Kim doesn't speak English and she's just going to be exploited by somebody else. Linc takes Kim home to serve as a housekeeper. Ma Bartlett Linc's mother, is not happy that a Chinese girl is living in her home, and even less happy when Kim and her son fall in love. Their affair also arouses the jealousy of Cheng Lu, a Chinese immigrant.
James Clavell's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Jack Lord (Lincoln 'Linc' Bartlett)'s journey. The cowboy Lincoln 'Linc' Bartlett finds out there's a slave auction of Chinese women in San Francisco and he intervenes and purchases the Chinese Kim Sung from the auction with the intent of setting her free.
How Does Jack Lord (Lincoln 'Linc' Bartlett)'s Story End?
- Jack Lord: Jack Lord's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Nobu McCarthy (Kim Sung): Nobu McCarthy's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- James Shigeta (Cheng Lu): James Shigeta's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of Walk Like a Dragon Mean?
Walk Like a Dragon's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Jack Lord may feel rushed. James Clavell's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.