Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Bruce Lee, the martial arts icon, has left an indelible mark on the history of world cinema through his cinematic works.
His films not only feature stunning fighting action but also profound philosophies that continue to inspire generations.
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This article will review five of Bruce Lee's best kung fu films, ranked by their recognized rankings.
These films are a testament to his genius in blending martial arts with powerful narratives.
1. Enter the Dragon (1973)
"Enter the Dragon" is a 1973 martial arts film directed by Robert Clouse and written by Michael Allin.
The film stars Bruce Lee, John Saxon, Ahna Capri, Bob Wall, Shih Kien, and Jim Kelly.
The film tells the story of Lee, a Shaolin martial artist, who is approached by British intelligence agents to infiltrate a martial arts tournament organized by Han, a crime lord.
Han is suspected of involvement in drug trafficking and prostitution, and Lee agrees to help, also motivated by the fact that Han's men were responsible for the death of his sister.
The tournament is held on Han's private island, where Lee meets other fighters such as Roper and Williams.
2. Fist of Fury (1972)
"Fist of Fury," also known as "The Chinese Connection" in the United States, is a 1972 Hong Kong martial arts film directed and written by Lo Wei.
It stars Bruce Lee as Chen Zhen, his second major film, alongside Nora Miao.
The film has a 69% Rotten Tomatoes rating and a 73% audience score, as well as a 7.2 out of 10 on IMDb.
The film follows Chen Zhen, a student of the renowned martial arts master Huo Yuanjia, who returns to Shanghai to marry his fiancée.
When members of the local Japanese dojo insult the Chinese students, Chen begins to fight back and later discovers that his master was poisoned on the dojo master's orders, prompting him to embark on a quest for revenge.
3. The Way of the Dragon (1972)
"The Way of the Dragon," or "Return of the Dragon" in the United States, is a 1972 Hong Kong martial arts action comedy film written, produced, and directed by Bruce Lee, who also stars in the title role.
This film marked Bruce Lee's debut as a director, screenwriter, and producer, showcasing his comprehensive talents in the film industry.
The story follows Tang Lung (played by Lee), a martial artist from Hong Kong who travels to Rome to help his relatives who own a restaurant.
Tang Lung confronts the gangsters and, when they are unable to defeat him, the crime boss hires top martial artists from Japan and Europe.
4. The Big Boss (1971)
"The Big Boss," also known as "Fists of Fury," is a 1971 Hong Kong martial arts action film written and directed by Lo Wei, with assistance from Bruce Lee.
The film stars Lee, Maria Yi, James Tien, and Tony Liu.
Lee plays Cheng Chao-an, a young Chinese man from rural China who moves to Thailand to live with his family and work in an ice factory.
He has sworn to his mother not to fight and wears a jade amulet as a reminder.
However, when family members begin to disappear and he discovers that the ice factory is a front for a drug trafficking operation, Cheng is forced to break his vow.
5. Game of Death (1978)
"Game of Death" is an incomplete Hong Kong martial arts film, filmed partially between September and October 1972.
Originally planned and scheduled for release in 1973, it was directed, written, and starred Bruce Lee.
However, much of the film was filmed after his death in 1973, using unfinished footage and stunt doubles.
Only about 11–15 minutes of this original concept were filmed before Bruce Lee left the project to make "Enter the Dragon" and "The Way of the Dragon."
However, the 1978 version changed the plot to a revenge tale, in which Lee's character, Billy Lo, fakes his death after an assassination attempt by a crime syndicate and then seeks revenge.