Bruce Lee; 1940 - 1973Bruce Lee; 1940 - 1973The ‘Little Dragon’-The ‘Little Dragon’- even if you have never heard of even if you have never heard of

Bruce Lee, or even if you have but are unfamiliar Bruce Lee, or even if you have but are unfamiliar with his movies, you will probably have watched with his movies, you will probably have watched and enjoyed many films or TV programmes that and enjoyed many films or TV programmes that might not of been made had it not been for his might not of been made had it not been for his

influence. Can you think of any examples? influence. Can you think of any examples?

Bruce LeeBruce Lee If you thought of everything from ‘Hong Kong Fooey,’ to If you thought of everything from ‘Hong Kong Fooey,’ to

‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,’ to the ‘Rush Hour’ or ‘Matrix’ ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,’ to the ‘Rush Hour’ or ‘Matrix’ films, Jackie Chan or Jet Li, then you are still only scratching films, Jackie Chan or Jet Li, then you are still only scratching the surface of how important Bruce Lee was in bringing a the surface of how important Bruce Lee was in bringing a whole new type of movie experience to Western audiences. whole new type of movie experience to Western audiences.

Can you think of any film stars, or films and TV where the Can you think of any film stars, or films and TV where the martial arts are practised? If so, they probably all owe some martial arts are practised? If so, they probably all owe some debt to Bruce Lee. debt to Bruce Lee.

Bruce Lee – Bruce Lee – what could he do?what could he do? Lee could spring a 235 Lee could spring a 235 lblb (107 kg) opponent 15 feet (4.6 metres) (107 kg) opponent 15 feet (4.6 metres)

away with a 1 inch punch.away with a 1 inch punch. Lee could snatch a dime off a person’s open hand, then replace Lee could snatch a dime off a person’s open hand, then replace

it with a dollar before they could close their palm. it with a dollar before they could close their palm. Lee could perform push-ups using only his thumbs. Lee could perform push-ups using only his thumbs. Lee could throw grains of rice up into the air and catch them Lee could throw grains of rice up into the air and catch them

using only chopsticks. using only chopsticks. Lee could thrust his hands through unopened cans of Coca Lee could thrust his hands through unopened cans of Coca

Cola.Cola. Lee could break wooden boards 6 inches thick. Lee could break wooden boards 6 inches thick. Lee recommended a food high in nutrition. For instance, he Lee recommended a food high in nutrition. For instance, he

supplemented his diet with vitamins, bee pollen and chocolate-supplemented his diet with vitamins, bee pollen and chocolate-flavoured protein tablets!flavoured protein tablets!

Bruce LeeBruce Lee ‘‘I’m not a master, I’m a student master.’I’m not a master, I’m a student master.’ ‘‘If someone comes at you with a sword, run if you can. Kung fu doesn't always If someone comes at you with a sword, run if you can. Kung fu doesn't always

work.’work.’ Bruce Lee’s first breakthrough film was Bruce Lee’s first breakthrough film was ‘The Big Boss (1971).’‘The Big Boss (1971).’ He had tried his luck He had tried his luck

in the US, but had managed only smaller roles in programmes such as ‘Batman’ and in the US, but had managed only smaller roles in programmes such as ‘Batman’ and the ‘Green Hornet.’ But ‘The Big Boss’ made him a star throughout Asia. the ‘Green Hornet.’ But ‘The Big Boss’ made him a star throughout Asia.

His second movie, ‘His second movie, ‘Fists of Fury (1972),’Fists of Fury (1972),’ firmly firmly established him as an Asian superstar, and the third,established him as an Asian superstar, and the third, ‘‘Way of the Dragon (1972),’Way of the Dragon (1972),’ led to his first US Hollywood led to his first US Hollywood movie, movie, ‘ Enter the Dragon (1973).’‘ Enter the Dragon (1973).’ Lee seemed quicker than all the other martial arts stars,Lee seemed quicker than all the other martial arts stars, he also had the film-star looks and the charisma tohe also had the film-star looks and the charisma to break box-office records around the world. break box-office records around the world. Kung – fuKung – fu films were here to stay! films were here to stay!

Bruce LeeBruce Lee Bruce Lee died, July 20Bruce Lee died, July 20thth 1973. His brain had swollen to many times its real 1973. His brain had swollen to many times its real

size. He was only 32 years old. size. He was only 32 years old. At the time, he was making At the time, he was making ‘Game of Death‘Game of Death,' a film that involved Lee taking ,' a film that involved Lee taking

on various martial arts experts on his way to solving a criminal mystery…on various martial arts experts on his way to solving a criminal mystery… During his short life, he also trained many film stars in the martial arts During his short life, he also trained many film stars in the martial arts

(developing his own style, Jeet Kune Do – what Lee called (developing his own style, Jeet Kune Do – what Lee called ‘the art of ‘the art of fighting without fighting.’fighting without fighting.’))

Stars such as James Coburn, Steve McQueenStars such as James Coburn, Steve McQueen and David Carradine all learned a great deal and David Carradine all learned a great deal from him. from him. Later, his son Brandon Lee became a star in Later, his son Brandon Lee became a star in his own right. During the filming of ‘The Crow,’ his own right. During the filming of ‘The Crow,’ Brandon was tragicallyBrandon was tragically killed by a bullet which was meant to have been a dummy. killed by a bullet which was meant to have been a dummy.

Bruce LeeBruce Lee Now look at these clips from You Tube, and see for yourself Now look at these clips from You Tube, and see for yourself

what all the fuss was about. Enjoy!what all the fuss was about. Enjoy!

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