Watch Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey
- PG
- 2000
- 1 hr 50 min
-
8.0 (2,921)
Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey, released in 2000, is a documentary feature film that charts the life and times of one of the most iconic martial artists of all time - Bruce Lee. The documentary has been lauded for providing an in-depth insight into the man behind the legend, chronicling his journey from starting out as a martial artist to becoming one of the most impactful pop culture icons of the 20th century.
Throughout the movie, director John Little intercuts Bruce Lee's performance on-screen with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with the men and women who knew him best, and highlight reels of his fighting techniques. The film features segments of Bruce Lee's unfinished film "Game of Death" that showcases his astounding martial arts talent. It also shows how Bruce Lee transformed his craft into 'Jeet Kune Do,' a martial arts system that roots from Wing Chun and embodies his philosophy on the art of fighting without fighting.
The documentary marks the first time that audiences get to see Bruce Lee's vision for "Game of Death" realized. Filmed before his untimely death, the documentary features footage of Bruce Lee working on the project in Hong Kong. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who co-starred with Bruce Lee in "Game of Death," shared his experience working with him on the project, providing an insight into their evolving friendship.
The documentary features comments from various individuals who knew Bruce Lee, including family members, close friends, and martial arts experts. For instance, Bruce Lee's brother, Robert Lee, remarks on how Bruce developed a need for speed, which was essential for his martial arts. Peter Archer, Lee's longtime friend, and Confidante who sponsored Bruce Lee's visa to the United States, discusses how Bruce Lee almost became a dance instructor had he not pursued his passion for martial arts. The film also features interviews with other actors who worked with him, such as Sun-Man Bae, who on the movie's last and most action-packed sequence features the two masters facing off.
The documentary chronicles some of the legendary feats that Bruce Lee became known for, such as his incredible speed, strength, agility, and lightning-fast punches. It highlights his groundbreaking influence on the martial arts world and how he became a superhero, setting precedents for Asian-Americans in Hollywood.
One thing that stands out in this documentary is Bruce Lee's impact on the culture at the time, particularly with regard to bridging the cultural divide. The film chronicles the racial prejudice that Bruce Lee faced when he first arrived in the United States, and how he overcame it to become a superstar. It also showcases how the "Little Dragon" named as such by his fans, used his platform to advocate for racial integration, an idea that was unheard of in the Anglo-dominated film industry.
The movie also explores other facets of Bruce Lee's life, particularly his personal relationships. Through the interviews, we learn about his marriage to Linda Lee Cadwell and his fatherhood journey. There are also segments discussing the rumors around Bruce Lee's death, such as his death as a result of a curse on his family that felled all males before their time, providing insights and putting to rest some of the myths around his untimely death.
Overall, Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey is a compelling documentary that honors the martial arts legend's unstoppable spirit and enduring legacy. The documentary has been instrumental in inspiring a new generation of people to continue Bruce Lee's legacy and spread his message of peace, unity, and harmony around the world. The film will be an interesting watch for not just martial arts enthusiasts or his fans but for anyone interested in understanding the impact of one man following his passion to the end.
Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey is a 2000 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0.