The Hanged Man: The Story of Ron Van Clief

The Hanged Man is the astonishing true story of a man surrounded by trauma and violence who is forced to become a superman in order to survive. The events that forge Ron Van Clief are brought on by harsh circumstances, fierce racism, and tragic choices, however Van Clief does not succumb to victimization. With an iron will, he becomes “The Black Dragon”: the first black martial arts film star, and one of the greatest martial artists of all time. His determination to win – despite horrific odds–exacts a heavy toll and his life becomes a roller coaster ride with spectacular highs, devastating lows, and more than a few cliff-hangers. Ron’s biography reads like a microcosm of the American experience in crisis. His father is so abusive that as a teenager Ron plots his murder. Only a few years later Ron is actually lynched by a gang of racists and left to die. In Vietnam he is forced to become a killing machine. On the Lower East Side of New York, drug lords try to gun down Ron and his child. He tears through countless unhappy relationships with women. He is by turns wealthy and homeless. There is serious damage inside, and one tragic loss still haunts him to this day. Despite these struggles, Ron miraculously attains excellence and fame being a man among men.