Born in Chinatown, San Francisco in the year of the Dragon
Lee Jun-Fan, recognized universally as Bruce Lee
was introduced to the American audience as Kato
in the 1966 TV series, The Green Hornet
a character that would famously face off against Batman and Robin.
After a brief film appearance as kung-fu henchman Winslow Wong
producer Fred Weintraub encouraged Lee
to develop feature films in Hong Kong to showcase his potential star-power as a lead actor
It was in Hong Kong that the cultural icon was born.
Scenic Fights takes a look into Bruce Lee’s legendary 3-year Hong Kong movie career
and rank his best films and fight scenes.
Make sure to subscribe
and watch to the very end, to see if your favorite Bruce Lee film tops the list.
Game of Death
The only film on this list that was never completed
Game of Death highlighted Bruce Lee’s belief that
traditional martial arts were flawed if you stick to one style.
Bruce Lee’s character “Hai Tien”
had to reach the top of a mysterious pagoda
which was believed to have held something of extreme value
On his way up, he has to fight five masters named "The Guardians"
Each specializing in their own style of martial arts.
The Guardians included famous Filipino Eskrima master Dan Inosanto
and Korean Hapkido Grandmaster, Ji Hian-jae
Our favorite fight scene goes to Bruce Lee versus Mantis
played by Basketball Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Lee can be seen sporting the very fashionable yellow and black jump suit
which would later be referenced in Quentin Tarantino’s 2003 film, Kill Bill.
At 7 feet 2 inches
Mantis has an advantage in size and strength over
5 foot 8 inches Bruce Lee.
But like water
Bruce Lee found a way to adapt and defeat him.
The Big Boss
After becoming unhappy with being offered only supporting roles in Hollywood
Bruce Lee signed a deal with Hong Kong film production company, Golden Harvest
to star in two martial arts films.
The first being The Big Boss, directed by Lo Wei.
The Big Boss became the highest-grossing film in Hong Kong at the time.
During its Hong Kong film premiere, it received a standing ovation.
Lee’s Wife Linda, stated in her 1975 Book Bruce Lee: The Man Only I knew that
"Every dream Bruce Lee had ever possessed came true that night.”
The world finally got to see Bruce Lee’s star potential.
Our best fight scene goes to Bruce Lee vs the Big Boss played by Han Ying-Chieh.
Although it’s falls short in comparison to modern day fight scenes
Bruce Lee carries the scene with his charismatic presence.
Fist of Fury
Also known as The Chinese Connection
this was Bruce Lee’s second film with Golden Harvest and Director Lo Wei
Lee would play the popular fictional character Chen Zhen, created by novelist Ni Kuang
a character which would also be played by Jet Li and Donnie Yen
in future renditions.
The most famous fight scene without doubt is Bruce Lee vs The Japanese school
a scene that many future martial arts movies would be pay homage too.
However, for this countdown we are going to highlight the final battle between
Bruce Lee versus Robert Baker and Riki Hashimoto.
Enter the Dragon
Considered one the greatest martial arts films of all time.
Lee, a highly skilled Shaolin martial artist, attends a high-profile fighting competition
hosted by Lord Han on his private island.
Lee’s objective was to gain more information on Han’s involvements with drug trafficking
and prostitution.
During his assignment, he is joined by Roper and Williams played respectively by actors
John Saxon, a black belt in Judo and Shotokan Karate,
and Blaxploitation martial art icon Jim Kelly
who would later star in the 1974 film Black Belt Jones.
Also making their brief appearances before they were famous
are members of the Seven Little Fortunes
whom you may know as Yuen Biao, Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung.
Bruce Lee’s fight scene against Sammo Hung is often used as evidence to support the idea
that Lee popularizes mixed martial arts
dubbing him the title of “The Godfather of MMA"
according to UFC president Dana White.
Enter the Dragon plays like a martial arts version of a James Bond film
and many critics will regard this movie as Bruce Lee’s magnum opus.
Although there are many great fight scenes, including one with martial artist Bob Wall.
We have to go with Bruce Lee vs Lord Han played by actor Shih Kien.
With Han’s ability to change his prosthetic hand to a claw
he serves to be a worthy opponent in the Room of Mirrors
a scenery that would be paid homage to in both Aaliyah’s “Try Again" music video
featuring martial arts legend Jet Li
and in the John Wick film series.
Way of the Dragon
Also known as The Return of the Dragon,
and the only film Bruce Lee directed
We find Lee in Rome where he is forced use his Chinese Kung-Fu
to protect Uncle Wang’s restaurant from a crime boss.
When the restaurant is attacked by a bunch of goons
this leads to the memorable nunchuks scene
The nunchuks were famously introduced to
Bruce Lee by his student and teacher of Filipino Martial Arts, Dan Inosanto
whom we mentioned played a Guardian in Game of Death.
The best fight scene from this movie is Bruce Lee vs Colt
played by Karate Champion and future martial arts action movie icon, Chuck Norris
at the Roman Colosseum.
If it wasn’t for this cat
we probably wouldn’t have known these two titans
ever fought that day
On July 20th 1973
Bruce Lee died from a cerebral edema at the young age of 32.
A prime example of a person living life to the fullest
he overcame any obstacles that dare come his way.
Including fighting against the Hollywood Asian stereotype
and instead
became a symbol of Chinese empowerment
proving Asian actors can be leading stars.
Whether you’re a martial arts fan or not, if there is one thing you can learn from Bruce Lee
it’s to follow your dreams
and be willing to take on the challenges that come your way.
“To hell with circumstances; I create opportunities” Bruce Lee wrote.
Thank you for watching Scenic Fights
and that’s the Best of the Best of Bruce Lee.