Despite having only a brief stint as a kung fu movie star, Bruce Lee had a tremendous impact on the genre, one that shaped the direction of so many Hong Kong film studios for years. For filmmakers, there was obviously a lot to learn from Bruce Lee’s martial arts films, but some did more than simply draw inspiration from the fights in his films; a considerable number copied them directly through a strategy now commonly known as bruceplotation.
✕ Remove ads
Films associated with the Bruceploitation era generally starred actors with stage names similar to Bruce Lee, to the point that the difference sometimes came down to spelling. This approach also extended to the stars’ physical appearance, as several of these actors were cast based on their resemblance to Lee. Unsurprisingly, this unapologetic effort to capitalize on Bruce Lee’s popularity certainly received its share of scrutiny. However, that’s not to say that the Bruceploitation films weren’t entertaining.
10 new fist of fury
Starring Jackie Chan
Close ✕ Remove ads
Interestingly, Jackie Chan was one of the many actors considered to become the next Bruce Lee. For this, he was chosen New Fist of Furya film that retreads the same plot between Chinese and Japanese of fist of fury. Because the film was produced before Chan developed his own unique image, New Fist of Fury It doesn’t feature any of the actor’s signature comedy, but it does have the feel of a real Jackie Chan film. However, his fight sequences are early evidence of his capabilities as a martial arts actor.
9 Bruce Lee’s Secret
Starring Bruce Li
Arguably Bruceploitation’s most prolific star, Bruce Li starred in Bruce Lee’s secreta film that served as an unofficial dramatized version of the Bruce Lee story. Its spectacular fight scenes, aided by the presence of kung fu film veterans Carter Wong and Hwang Jang-lee, help Bruce Lee’s secret stands out as an exciting martial arts adventure.
✕ Remove ads
8 Enter the invincible hero
Starring Dragon Lee
During his career, Dragon Lee headlined a multitude of Bruceploitation films, one of which was Enter the invincible hero. Traditionally less serious than most Bruce Lee”clones“, Dragon Lee embraces the countryside of the Bruceploitation era in Enter the invincible heroa film that pits him against South Korean martial arts star Casanova Wong. Enter the invincible hero It features commendable choreography throughout, but what makes it especially memorable is its thrilling finale.
7 Fist of Fury II
Starring Bruce Li
✕ Remove ads
Bruce Lee fist of fury received an unofficial sequel in 1977 with Bruce Li in the title role. Fist of Fury II picked up after the first film, which notably ended with the death of Bruce Lee’s Chen Zhen. In the 1977 film, it is discovered that Chen Zhen had a brother named Shan (Bruce Li), who is now determined to avenge his fallen relative and continue his fight against the Japanese forces occupying Shanghai. The fun, revenge-filled classic ends in a showdown between Bruce Li and kung fu legend Lo Lieh, whose talent for playing martial arts movie villains fits well with the film’s charm.
6 Bruce’s Deadly Fingers
Starring Bruce Le
✕ Remove ads
Launched in 1976, Bruce’s deadly fingers Starring Bruce Le, one of the faces of the Bruceploitation movement. The film cast Le in the role of a man who has to save the late Bruce Lee’s ex-girlfriend after she is kidnapped by criminals. Perhaps intentionally, the actress chosen for the role of Lee’s ex-girlfriend was Nora Miao, who had acted opposite Lee twice. Further boosting its star power is the inclusion of villainous icons Lo Lieh and Bolo Yeung, who previously appeared in Enter the dragon with the real Bruce Lee.
5 Dragon Serpent Fist
Starring Dragon Lee
✕ Remove ads
The Bruceploitation movement was starting to lose steam in 1981, but the decade was not without at least notable entries in the genre. Among them was the South Korean martial arts film. Dragon Serpent Fist. Starring Dragon Lee, the film was a standard revenge movie about a rivalry between two different kung fu schools. But while this is a story that has been told countless times in ’80s kung fu movies, including by Bruce Lee himself, fist of fury, Dragon Serpent Fist It still manages to entertain with its fight scenes, which are both brutal and plentiful in the film.
4 Tiger Challenge
Starring Bruce Le
Bruce Le added to his list of Bruceploitation epics in 1980 when he made The tiger challengea modern buddy cop kung fu movie. Teaming up with Le and Richard Harrison, The tiger challenge is a story about two CIA agents who confront a network of spies. The film has many wild and unorthodox moments, including an action sequence with a bull, but still maintains a degree of popularity among kung fu film fans.
✕ Remove ads
3 Bruce Lee clones
Starring Bruce Li, Bruce Lai and Dragon Lee
Bruce Lee Clones It is essentially “the Avengers“from the era of Bruceploitation. True to its title, it features a handful of Bruce Lee”clones.” In the 1980 film Dragon Lee, Bruce Le and Bruce Lai team up for an action-packed adventure in which they play literal clones of the Dragon. The story makes little narrative sense and is exaggerated with the use of science fiction elements , but Bruceploitation’s team of actors and martial arts choreography make it worth watching, even if it can’t be taken seriously.
2 Golden Dragon, Silver Serpent
Starring Dragon Lee
✕ Remove ads
Another notable Dragon Lee film is Golden Dragon, Silver Serpenta kung fu revenge movie. Also known as Idle FistThe film is an interesting addition to the Bruceploitation catalogue, simply because of its main characters. Not only is Golden Dragon played by a Bruce Lee clone, but Silver Snake is played by Wang Dae-wi, an actor who had a history of playing Jackie Chan-style characters. A proper film between Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee was never made, but Golden Dragon, Silver Serpentoffers a fun, if low-budget, look at what could have been.
1 The three avengers
Starring Bruce Li
✕ Remove ads
Also known as The Avenging Lama., The three avengers is less explicit in its connections to Bruce Lee than most Bruceploitation films, but still relies heavily on the actor’s image. Bruce Li stars in the 1979 film, which revolves around two acrobats who open a kung fu school and get into a fight with a group of thugs. It features plenty of action, including an intense three-on-one fight at the end.