Fist of Fury
Encyclopedia
Fist of Fury, formerly known as The Chinese Connection and The Iron Hand in the United States, (and not to be confused with Fists of Fury, which is the former U.S. title of The Big Boss
) is a 1972 Hong Kong martial arts film
directed by Lo Wei
. It starred Bruce Lee
in his second major film after The Big Boss. Bruce Lee plays Chen Zhen, a student of Huo Yuanjia
, who fights to defend the honour of the Chinese and to bring to justice those responsible for his master's death.
. The martial arts student Chen Zhen returns to Jingwu School
to marry his fiancée Yuan Le-erh. However tragic news awaits him; his master Huo Yuanjia
has died, apparently from illness. Chen is deeply saddened and traumatised by the sudden demise of his teacher. Not long after the funeral; two Japanese students from the Bushido School and a man working for Hiroshi Susuki in Hongkou
, show up. They present a sign to Jingwu School, bearing the words "Sick Men of East Asia
" (東亞病夫), seemingly as to insult Huo Yuanjia, describing the Chinese as "weaklings" in comparison to the Japanese. They taunt the Jingwu students to fight them and promise that they will "eat their words" if the Jingwu students dare to fight and defeat them.
Shortly after, Chen Zhen goes to the Hongkou Dojo alone to return the "gift" (the sign). He meets with hostility from the Japanese students and they engage in a fight. Chen Zhen defeats all of them, including their sensei
, single-handedly and effortlessly. He uses a nunchaku
as a weapon during the fight. He smashes the glass on the sign and makes the students who taunted him earlier chew up the paper bearing the derogatory words, so as to make them literally "eat their words".
Chen takes a stroll to a park after that. He is refused entry into the park by a Sikh guard who points towards a sign reading "No dogs and Chinese allowed" (狗與華人不得入內). After the guard allows a foreigner to bring her pet dog into the park, a Japanese man approaches Chen and tells him that if he behaves like a pet dog, he will be allowed to go in. Chen beats up the man in anger and proceeds to smash the sign with a flying kick.
Meanwhile, the Japanese students retaliate by attacking Jingwu School on the orders of their master Hiroshi Suzuki. The Jingwu students are caught by surprise and are totally unprepared for the onslaught. After causing severe damage, the Japanese students leave. They warn Jingwu School to hand over Chen Zhen or else Jingwu will be closed and all the students put under arrest. Chen returns and realises that he has caused big trouble. His fellow students are reluctant to hand him over to the Japanese so they make plans to help him escape from Shanghai.
That night, Chen secretly overhears a conversation between the cook and the caretaker and discovers that his master was killed after consuming biscuits laced with poison. He bursts in and confronts them. Chen kills them in blind rage after they claimed responsibility for Huo Yuanjia's death. Chen hangs their bodies from a lamp post after that. The next day, the Jingwu students discover the bodies and suspect that Chen is responsible. However, Chen is nowhere to be found. Eventually, Chen's fiancée finds him hiding near Huo Yuanjia's grave. They share a passionate moment together briefly. At the same time, Suzuki forces the local police inspector to arrest Chen Zhen and bring Chen back to him. The reluctant inspector has no choice but to repeat the Japanese's earlier warnings to Jingwu School. That night, Chen confronts Suzuki's translator and forces a confession out of him, learning the entire truth behind his master's death. But when the cowardly translator sneaks up from behind him, Chen kills the translator and hangs his body from the lamp post.
The angry Suzuki decides to take matters into his own hands. He sends his men to attack Jingwu School and kill everyone inside. On the same night, Chen barges into the Dojo to take his revenge. He takes down every single Japanese combatant he meets. Afterwards Chen battles Petrov, a Russian gang boss in league with Suzuki and his plans, who was visiting the Dojo at the time of Chen's attack. The two fighters at first starts out evenly matched and Petrov almost wins, but when Petrov is eventually unable to keep up with the speed of Chen's attacks he gets tired and wounded, Chen then defeats him. Finally, Chen corners Suzuki inside his office. Suzuki uses a katana
to fight back but he is no match for Chen, who is armed with a nunchaku. In the dramatic ending of the fight scene, Chen sends Suzuki soaring out of the room with a flying kick and kills him, thus avenging his master's death. Chen returns to Jingwu School and finds that many of his fellow students have been killed during the Japanese's raid, although all of the raiders have been killed in the fight as well. After Chen overhears threats on the Jingwu school from a Japanese policeman, he volunteers himself to be arrested so as to protect his master's legacy. Chen speaks to the inspector in private and is assured that Jingwu School will prevail after he leaves. In the final scene, Chen charges and makes a flying kick at a line of armed soldiers just before they open fire at him, suggesting that the soldiers killed him.
, the actual school from which the film took its Chinese title. Chen Zhen is a fictional character created by director Lo Wei
for the film.
The real Jingwu School
still survives to this day and has expanded to cities worldwide. Its headquarters is in Malaysia and the students strive to keep the Jingwu spirit to this day. The scenes in which Chen smashes the pejorative signs and the final scene are well received by Chinese audiences as a show of ferocious ethnic pride.
The former U.S. title The Chinese Connection, trading off the popularity of the recently-released Gene Hackman
film The French Connection
, was originally intended for Bruce Lee's previous film, The Big Boss, due to the heroin smuggling in the film. However, the U.S. titles for the films were accidentally swapped for an unknown reason so this film carried the title The Chinese Connection until 2005, despite being obviously unrelated to the content of the movie. The Big Boss in the U.S. had the title Fists of Fury, leading to much confusion. Recent American TV showings and the current official US DVD release, originally available in The Bruce Lee Ultimate Collection box set, from 20th Century Fox
has restored the original titles of all the renamed Bruce Lee films; this film is now officially called Fist of Fury in the United States. The current DVD version also has a subtitle that says "A.K.A. The Chinese Connection" when the Fist Of Fury title appears on screen since the source material is the Fortune Star digital remasters.
This film is one of Bruce Lee's most influential works, as it is one of the main reasons behind the shift in Hong Kong cinema
from swordplay to empty-handed fighting, which initiated the "Golden Era of Kung Fu Cinema" of the 1970s.
's Fist of Fury managed to gross HK$4,431,423 in its Hong Kong release.
was not widely used in Hong Kong cinema
for a long time so the voices (even on the original Chinese track) for this movie were dubbed. In fact, on the Chinese track the voice of the Russian fighter when he speaks English is dubbed by none other than Bruce Lee himself (with added reverb
).
This film marks one of the few times that a DVD has an alternative new commentary. Media Asia
UK distributor Hong Kong Legends has released this film as a "Special Collectors Edition" and a "Platinum Edition." Bey Logan
recorded two alternative commentaries for both releases. The usual process with re-releases on DVD is that the commentary is passed onto the next release. Bey decided to re-record his second commentary as he wanted to give it a new light, being an avid fan of this film. The theme song is played by Mike Remedios.
GOOD TIMES VIDEO CORP
GOOD TIMES VIDEO CORP Limited Collector's Edition
Named The Chinese Connection
Classification:Unknown
Color, NTSC
Run Time: Unknown
Simitar Ent (America)
Allumination Filmwor(America)
4 Front United Kingdom)
Front Row Video, Inc (America)
4 Front(United Kingdom)
Alpha Video (America)
20th Century Fox (America)
Good Times Video (America)
York Entertainment(America)
Mega Star 2nd Release (Hong Kong)
Fortune Star - Bruce Lee Ultimate DVD Collection (Hong Kong)
Fox (America)
Fox - Bruce Lee Ultimate Collection (America)
Hong Kong Legends - Special Collector's Edition (United Kingdom)
Hong Kong Legends - Platinum Edition (United Kingdom)
The Big Boss
The Big Boss, previously known by its U.S. title Fists Of Fury is a 1971 Hong Kong martial arts action crime thriller film. The Big Boss was Bruce Lee's first major film. It was written to star James Tien; however, Lee's strong performance relegated Tien, already a star in Hong Kong, to second...
) is a 1972 Hong Kong martial arts film
Martial arts film
Martial arts film is a film genre. A sub-genre of the action film, martial arts films contain numerous fights between characters, usually as the films' primary appeal and entertainment value, and often as a method of storytelling and character expression and development. Martial arts are frequently...
directed by Lo Wei
Lo Wei
Lo Wei was a famous Hong Kong film director and film actor best known for launching the martial arts film careers of both Bruce Lee, in The Big Boss and Fist of Fury, and Jackie Chan, in New Fist of Fury....
. It starred Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee was a Chinese American, Hong Kong actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement...
in his second major film after The Big Boss. Bruce Lee plays Chen Zhen, a student of Huo Yuanjia
Huo Yuanjia
Huo Yuanjia was a Chinese martial artist and co-founder of Chin Woo Athletic Association, a martial arts school in Shanghai...
, who fights to defend the honour of the Chinese and to bring to justice those responsible for his master's death.
Plot
The film is set in the early 20th century in Shanghai International SettlementShanghai International Settlement
The Shanghai International Settlement began originally as a purely British settlement. It was one of the original five treaty ports which were established under the terms of the Treaty of Nanking at the end of the first opium war in the year 1842...
. The martial arts student Chen Zhen returns to Jingwu School
Chin Woo Athletic Association
Chin Woo Athletic Association is a Chinese martial arts association founded in Shanghai on July 7, 1910, but other sources also cite dates in 1909. It can be found spelled in many ways - Jing Mo, Ching Wu, Jing Wo, Jing Wu etc....
to marry his fiancée Yuan Le-erh. However tragic news awaits him; his master Huo Yuanjia
Huo Yuanjia
Huo Yuanjia was a Chinese martial artist and co-founder of Chin Woo Athletic Association, a martial arts school in Shanghai...
has died, apparently from illness. Chen is deeply saddened and traumatised by the sudden demise of his teacher. Not long after the funeral; two Japanese students from the Bushido School and a man working for Hiroshi Susuki in Hongkou
Hongkou District
Hongkou District is a northern district of Shanghai proper, People's Republic of China. It has a land area of and population of 799,700 as of 2001.It is the location of the Astor House Hotel, Broadway Mansions, Lu Xun Park and the Lu Xun memorial....
, show up. They present a sign to Jingwu School, bearing the words "Sick Men of East Asia
Sick man of Asia
The phrase "sick man of Asia" or "sick man of East Asia" originally referred to China in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when it was riven by internal divisions and forced by the great powers into a series of Unequal Treaties, culminating in the Japanese invasion of China during World War II...
" (東亞病夫), seemingly as to insult Huo Yuanjia, describing the Chinese as "weaklings" in comparison to the Japanese. They taunt the Jingwu students to fight them and promise that they will "eat their words" if the Jingwu students dare to fight and defeat them.
Shortly after, Chen Zhen goes to the Hongkou Dojo alone to return the "gift" (the sign). He meets with hostility from the Japanese students and they engage in a fight. Chen Zhen defeats all of them, including their sensei
Sensei
' is a Japanese word that basically means "person born before another." In general usage, it means "master" or "teacher," and the word is used as a title to refer to or address teachers, professors, professionals such as lawyers, CPA and doctors, politicians, clergymen, and other figures of authority...
, single-handedly and effortlessly. He uses a nunchaku
Nunchaku
is a traditional Okinawan weapon consisting of two sticks connected at their ends with a short chain or rope.-Etymology:The Japanese word nunchaku is the Kun'yomi reading of the Kanji term for a traditional Chinese two section staff....
as a weapon during the fight. He smashes the glass on the sign and makes the students who taunted him earlier chew up the paper bearing the derogatory words, so as to make them literally "eat their words".
Chen takes a stroll to a park after that. He is refused entry into the park by a Sikh guard who points towards a sign reading "No dogs and Chinese allowed" (狗與華人不得入內). After the guard allows a foreigner to bring her pet dog into the park, a Japanese man approaches Chen and tells him that if he behaves like a pet dog, he will be allowed to go in. Chen beats up the man in anger and proceeds to smash the sign with a flying kick.
Meanwhile, the Japanese students retaliate by attacking Jingwu School on the orders of their master Hiroshi Suzuki. The Jingwu students are caught by surprise and are totally unprepared for the onslaught. After causing severe damage, the Japanese students leave. They warn Jingwu School to hand over Chen Zhen or else Jingwu will be closed and all the students put under arrest. Chen returns and realises that he has caused big trouble. His fellow students are reluctant to hand him over to the Japanese so they make plans to help him escape from Shanghai.
That night, Chen secretly overhears a conversation between the cook and the caretaker and discovers that his master was killed after consuming biscuits laced with poison. He bursts in and confronts them. Chen kills them in blind rage after they claimed responsibility for Huo Yuanjia's death. Chen hangs their bodies from a lamp post after that. The next day, the Jingwu students discover the bodies and suspect that Chen is responsible. However, Chen is nowhere to be found. Eventually, Chen's fiancée finds him hiding near Huo Yuanjia's grave. They share a passionate moment together briefly. At the same time, Suzuki forces the local police inspector to arrest Chen Zhen and bring Chen back to him. The reluctant inspector has no choice but to repeat the Japanese's earlier warnings to Jingwu School. That night, Chen confronts Suzuki's translator and forces a confession out of him, learning the entire truth behind his master's death. But when the cowardly translator sneaks up from behind him, Chen kills the translator and hangs his body from the lamp post.
The angry Suzuki decides to take matters into his own hands. He sends his men to attack Jingwu School and kill everyone inside. On the same night, Chen barges into the Dojo to take his revenge. He takes down every single Japanese combatant he meets. Afterwards Chen battles Petrov, a Russian gang boss in league with Suzuki and his plans, who was visiting the Dojo at the time of Chen's attack. The two fighters at first starts out evenly matched and Petrov almost wins, but when Petrov is eventually unable to keep up with the speed of Chen's attacks he gets tired and wounded, Chen then defeats him. Finally, Chen corners Suzuki inside his office. Suzuki uses a katana
Katana
A Japanese sword, or , is one of the traditional bladed weapons of Japan. There are several types of Japanese swords, according to size, field of application and method of manufacture.-Description:...
to fight back but he is no match for Chen, who is armed with a nunchaku. In the dramatic ending of the fight scene, Chen sends Suzuki soaring out of the room with a flying kick and kills him, thus avenging his master's death. Chen returns to Jingwu School and finds that many of his fellow students have been killed during the Japanese's raid, although all of the raiders have been killed in the fight as well. After Chen overhears threats on the Jingwu school from a Japanese policeman, he volunteers himself to be arrested so as to protect his master's legacy. Chen speaks to the inspector in private and is assured that Jingwu School will prevail after he leaves. In the final scene, Chen charges and makes a flying kick at a line of armed soldiers just before they open fire at him, suggesting that the soldiers killed him.
Background information
The film is loosely based on Chin Woo Athletic AssociationChin Woo Athletic Association
Chin Woo Athletic Association is a Chinese martial arts association founded in Shanghai on July 7, 1910, but other sources also cite dates in 1909. It can be found spelled in many ways - Jing Mo, Ching Wu, Jing Wo, Jing Wu etc....
, the actual school from which the film took its Chinese title. Chen Zhen is a fictional character created by director Lo Wei
Lo Wei
Lo Wei was a famous Hong Kong film director and film actor best known for launching the martial arts film careers of both Bruce Lee, in The Big Boss and Fist of Fury, and Jackie Chan, in New Fist of Fury....
for the film.
The real Jingwu School
Chin Woo Athletic Association
Chin Woo Athletic Association is a Chinese martial arts association founded in Shanghai on July 7, 1910, but other sources also cite dates in 1909. It can be found spelled in many ways - Jing Mo, Ching Wu, Jing Wo, Jing Wu etc....
still survives to this day and has expanded to cities worldwide. Its headquarters is in Malaysia and the students strive to keep the Jingwu spirit to this day. The scenes in which Chen smashes the pejorative signs and the final scene are well received by Chinese audiences as a show of ferocious ethnic pride.
The former U.S. title The Chinese Connection, trading off the popularity of the recently-released Gene Hackman
Gene Hackman
Eugene Allen "Gene" Hackman is an American actor and novelist.Nominated for five Academy Awards, winning two, Hackman has also won three Golden Globes and two BAFTAs in a career that spanned five decades. He first came to fame in 1967 with his performance as Buck Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde...
film The French Connection
The French Connection (film)
This article is about the 1971 film. For the British fashion label, see French Connection .The French Connection is a 1971 American crime film directed by William Friedkin. The film was adapted and fictionalized by Ernest Tidyman from the non-fiction book by Robin Moore...
, was originally intended for Bruce Lee's previous film, The Big Boss, due to the heroin smuggling in the film. However, the U.S. titles for the films were accidentally swapped for an unknown reason so this film carried the title The Chinese Connection until 2005, despite being obviously unrelated to the content of the movie. The Big Boss in the U.S. had the title Fists of Fury, leading to much confusion. Recent American TV showings and the current official US DVD release, originally available in The Bruce Lee Ultimate Collection box set, from 20th Century Fox
20th Century Fox
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
has restored the original titles of all the renamed Bruce Lee films; this film is now officially called Fist of Fury in the United States. The current DVD version also has a subtitle that says "A.K.A. The Chinese Connection" when the Fist Of Fury title appears on screen since the source material is the Fortune Star digital remasters.
This film is one of Bruce Lee's most influential works, as it is one of the main reasons behind the shift in Hong Kong cinema
Cinema of Hong Kong
The cinema of Hong Kong is one of the three major threads in the history of Chinese language cinema, alongside the cinema of China, and the cinema of Taiwan...
from swordplay to empty-handed fighting, which initiated the "Golden Era of Kung Fu Cinema" of the 1970s.
Cast
- Bruce LeeBruce LeeBruce Lee was a Chinese American, Hong Kong actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement...
as Chen Zhen - Nora MiaoNora MiaoNora Miao ); born February 8, 1952 ) is a Hong Kong actress who appeared in many kung-fu films in the 1970s. She was contracted to Golden Harvest, and spent her time making films in Hong Kong and in Taiwan, where she starred in several romance movies....
as Yuan Le-erh, the love interest and fiancee of Chen Zhen. Her name is not mentioned in the film. - Riki Hashimoto as Hiroshi Suzuki, the master of Hongkou Dojo and the primary antagonist of the film
- Robert BakerRobert Baker (martial artist)Robert Baker was an American actor and martial artist, a student of Bruce Lee. He is known for playing the character Petrov in the Bruce Lee film Fist Of Fury, aka The Chinese Connection.-External links:...
as Petrov, a Russian gang boss who joins Suzuki - Tien FengTien FengTien Feng is a Hong Kong actor for 60 years. He left for Hong Kong from Taiwan and started his career...
as Fan Chun-hsia, the most senior student of Huo Yuanjia - Paul WeiPaul Wei Ping-AoWei Ping-Ao was a Hong Kong actor who started his career in Shaw Brothers. He was also notable of playing cunning interpreters in Bruce Lee's film, Fist of Fury and Way of the Dragon, in which he dubbed his own voice. He suffered from jaundice in his later years. Wei died in 1989.-External links:*...
as Wu, Suzuki's translator - Feng Yi as Yoshida, the Hongkou Dojo's sensei (head instructor)
- Lo WeiLo WeiLo Wei was a famous Hong Kong film director and film actor best known for launching the martial arts film careers of both Bruce Lee, in The Big Boss and Fist of Fury, and Jackie Chan, in New Fist of Fury....
as the police inspector - Hwong Chung-hsin as Tien, the cook from Jingwu School. He is actually a spy and Yoshida's younger brother.
- Han Yin-chieh as Feng Kwai-sher, the caretaker from Jingwu School
- James Tien ChunJames Tien (actor)James Tien Chun is a Hong Kong actor from Guangdong, China. He appeared in almost 70 films, primarily in Hong Kong action cinema, including roles in the films of martial arts stars including Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung. He often played villains or supporting roles...
as Fan Chia-chi, a student from Jingwu School - Maria YiMaria YiMaria Yi is a retired Chinese actress from Shanghai. She appeared in films by Hong Kong's Golden Harvest Productions in the 1970s, most notably in The Big Boss and Fist of Fury, both starring Bruce Lee.-Career:Yi began acting as a teenager, and though she made only a handful of films, she received...
as Yen, a student from Jingwu School - Lee KwanLee KwanLee Kwan , also known as Li Kun or Li Quinn, was a Chinese actor.He joined Shaw Brothers in 1957 and acted in Mandarin films. He later played supporting roles in Bruce Lee's The Big Boss and Fist of Fury. Later he became a film and television actor in Taiwan...
as Hsu, a student from Jingwu School - Tony LiuTony LiuTony Liu Yung is a Hong Kong actor and martial artist. He often appeared in martial arts films. He debuted in Bruce Lee's The Big Boss and later appeared in Lee's next three films.-Early life:...
as Chin, a student from Jingwu School - Chin San as Tung, a student from Jingwu School
Notable stuntmen / small roles
- Jackie ChanJackie ChanJackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
- Yuen WahYuen WahYuen Wah is a Hong Kong based Chinese action film actor, action choreographer, stuntman and martial artist who has appeared in over 160 films and over 20 television series.-Early life:...
- Yuen BiaoYuen BiaoYuen Biao is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist. He specialises in acrobatics and Chinese martial arts and has worked on over 80 films as actor, stuntman and action choreographer...
- Corey YuenCorey YuenCorey Yuen Kwai is a Hong Kong actor, filmmaker and producer. He was a member of the Peking Opera Schools and one of the Seven Little Fortunes.-Life and career:...
- Lam Ching-ying
- Billy Chan
- Unicorn ChanUnicorn ChanUnicorn Chan aka Little Unicorn was a Hong Kong actor and one of Bruce Lee's best friends since childhood. He acted in many films during childhood including The Birth of Mankind in which Bruce Lee starred....
- MarsMars (actor)Mars , born Cheung Wing Fat is a Hong Kong actor, action director, stuntman and martial artist. He is one of Jackie Chan's best friends.-Early life:...
Box office
Bruce LeeBruce Lee
Bruce Lee was a Chinese American, Hong Kong actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement...
's Fist of Fury managed to gross HK$4,431,423 in its Hong Kong release.
Dubbing
Sync soundSync sound
Sync sound refers to sound recorded at the time of the filming of movies, and has been widely used in movies since the birth of sound movies.-History:...
was not widely used in Hong Kong cinema
Cinema of Hong Kong
The cinema of Hong Kong is one of the three major threads in the history of Chinese language cinema, alongside the cinema of China, and the cinema of Taiwan...
for a long time so the voices (even on the original Chinese track) for this movie were dubbed. In fact, on the Chinese track the voice of the Russian fighter when he speaks English is dubbed by none other than Bruce Lee himself (with added reverb
Reverberation
Reverberation is the persistence of sound in a particular space after the original sound is removed. A reverberation, or reverb, is created when a sound is produced in an enclosed space causing a large number of echoes to build up and then slowly decay as the sound is absorbed by the walls and air...
).
This film marks one of the few times that a DVD has an alternative new commentary. Media Asia
Media Asia Entertainment Group
Media Asia Entertainment Group , Media Asia Group , is a Hong Kong production company and distributor for films made in Hong Kong and throughout China. It is a subsidiary of Lai Sun Development Company Ltd.- History :...
UK distributor Hong Kong Legends has released this film as a "Special Collectors Edition" and a "Platinum Edition." Bey Logan
Bey Logan
Bey Logan is a respected expert on East Asian cinema, particularly Hong Kong action cinema. He is also notable as a screenwriter, film producer and as a martial artist who has had roles in a number of films, including the 2003 Dante Lam film The Twins Effect.He has written two books - Hong Kong...
recorded two alternative commentaries for both releases. The usual process with re-releases on DVD is that the commentary is passed onto the next release. Bey decided to re-record his second commentary as he wanted to give it a new light, being an avid fan of this film. The theme song is played by Mike Remedios.
Sequels and remakes
- Jackie ChanJackie ChanJackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
starred in a sequel titled New Fist of FuryNew Fist of FuryNew Fist of Fury is a 1976 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Lo Wei and starring Jackie Chan. It is the first of several films that Lo directed Chan in, and the first using Chan's stage name Sing Lung...
; it was his first major lead role. The film was a total failure in theatres due to the incoherent storyline and poor fight scenes. The film nearly ruined Chan's future career and some considered him simply a Bruce Lee imitator.
- Two more sequels were made (which have no continuity with Jackie Chan's New Fist of FuryNew Fist of FuryNew Fist of Fury is a 1976 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Lo Wei and starring Jackie Chan. It is the first of several films that Lo directed Chan in, and the first using Chan's stage name Sing Lung...
), Fist of Fury IIFist of Fury IIFist of Fury Part II , originally released in Hong Kong as Jing wu men xu ji and also released as Chinese Connection 2 and Fistful of the Dragon, is a martial arts film that is an unauthorized sequel to Bruce Lee's Fist of Fury , not to be confused with New Fist of Fury)...
and Fist of Fury IIIFist of Fury IIIFist of Fury III is a martial arts Bruceploitation sequel. It was originally released in Hong Kong as Jie quan yingzhua gong , and has been informally called The Chinese Connection III. It continues the story of Chen Shen from Fist of Fury II, the brother of the Bruce Lee character in Fist of...
starring Bruce LiBruce LiBruce Li is one of the stage names of Ho Chung Tao , a Taiwanese martial artist and Bruce Lee imitator who starred in martial arts movies from the Bruceploitation movement.-Early life:...
as Chen Zhen's brother Chen Shen, avenging his brother's death. Despite the fact that New Fist of Fury is technically the "official" sequel (due to both director Lo Wei and leading actress Nora Miao returning), many martial arts film fans prefer the first of the Bruce Li sequels over Jackie ChanJackie ChanJackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
's sequel.
- In 1977, Two South Korean movies starring Bruce LeBruce LeBruce Le is a martial artist and actor who is known for the martial arts films he made in the 1970s and '80s...
were billed as Fist of Fury II & III, Bruce and Shaolin Kung Fu (Korea: 続精武門, Hong Kong: 達魔鐵指功) and Bruce and Shaolin Kung Fu 2 (Korea: 불타는少林門 , Hong Kong: 火燒少林門)
- Another 1977 South Korean sequel starring Dragon Lee was called The Last Fist of FuryThe Real Bruce LeeThe Real Bruce Lee is a martial arts documentary. It begins with a brief biography of Bruce Lee, and shows scenes from four of his childhood films, Bad Boy, Orphan Sam, Kid Cheung, and The Carnival, each sepia-toned and dubbed to English. Next, there is a three-minute highlight reel of Lee imitator...
(최후의精武門). The following year a film called Return of Fists of Fury (정무문(신)) was released by the same director.
- In 1981, the final South Korean sequel called Fist of Fury '81 (精武門81)
- In 1994, Fist of LegendFist of LegendFist of Legend is a 1994 Hong Kong martial arts action film directed by Gordon Chan and features action choreography by Yuen Woo-ping, and also produced by and starring Jet Li. It is a remake of the 1972 film Fist of Fury, which starred Bruce Lee as the lead character...
, starring Jet LiJet LiThe fame gained by his sports winnings led to a career as a martial arts film star, beginning in mainland China and then continuing into Hong Kong. Li acquired his screen name in 1982 in the Philippines when a publicity company thought his real name was too hard to pronounce...
, was released as a remake of the film.
- ATVAsia Television LimitedAsia Television Limited is one of the two free-to-air television broadcasters in Hong Kong, the other being rival Television Broadcasts Limited . It launched in 1957 under the name Rediffusion Television as the first television station in Hong Kong...
(a terrestrial channel in Hong Kong), made a 30 episodes television series Fist of Fury starring Donnie YenDonnie YenDonnie Yen is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer, and world wushu tournament medalist...
as Chen. The last 15 episodes have a similar plot to the movie while the first 15 are about Chen joining the Chin Woo school.
- Jet Li's 2006 film FearlessFearless (2006 film)Fearless, known in Chinese as Huo Yuanjia and Jet Li's Fearless in the United Kingdom and the United States, is a 2006 film directed by Ronny Yu and starring Jet Li...
is loosely based on the real life of Huo YuanjiaHuo YuanjiaHuo Yuanjia was a Chinese martial artist and co-founder of Chin Woo Athletic Association, a martial arts school in Shanghai...
, Chen Zhen's master in Fist of Fury.
- In 2010, Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen ZhenLegend of the Fist: The Return of Chen ZhenLegend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen is a 2010 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Andrew Lau. The film is a continuation of the 1994 film Fist of Legend starring Jet Li, with Donnie Yen as Chen Zhen, a role made famous by Bruce Lee in the 1972 film Fist of Fury...
, starring Donnie YenDonnie YenDonnie Yen is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer, and world wushu tournament medalist...
, was released as a follow-up feature film of Fist of LegendFist of LegendFist of Legend is a 1994 Hong Kong martial arts action film directed by Gordon Chan and features action choreography by Yuen Woo-ping, and also produced by and starring Jet Li. It is a remake of the 1972 film Fist of Fury, which starred Bruce Lee as the lead character...
.
VHS releases
Madacy Entertainment LP- Released:Unknown
- Named The Chinese Connection
- Classification:Unknown
- Color, NTSC
- Run Time: Unknown
GOOD TIMES VIDEO CORP
- Released:Unknown
- Limited Collector's Edition
- Named The Chinese Connection
- Classification:Unknown
- Color, NTSC
- Run Time: Unknown
GOOD TIMES VIDEO CORP
Simitar Ent (America)
- Released:20 Feb 1997
- Part double VHS
- Named The Chinese Connection
- Classification:NR (Not Rated)
- Color, NTSC
- Run Time: 197 minutes
Allumination Filmwor(America)
- Released:15 Aug 1997
- Part double VHS
- Named The Chinese Connection
- Classification:NR (Not Rated)
- Color, NTSC
- Run Time: 197 minutes
4 Front United Kingdom)
- Released:1 Oct 1999
- Classification:18
- Colour Pal
Front Row Video, Inc (America)
- Released:29 May 2001
- Named The Chinese Connection
- Classification:R (Restricted)
- Color, EP, Letterboxed, Original recording reissued, NTSC
- Run Time: 107 minutes
4 Front(United Kingdom)
- Released:1 Oct 2001
- Part of a boxset
- Classification:18
- Colour Pal
Alpha Video (America)
- Released:27 Nov 2001
- Named The Chinese Connection
- Classification:R (Restricted)
- Color, EP, Original recording reissued, NTSC
- Run Time: 107 minutes
20th Century Fox (America)
- Released:21 May 2002
- Named The Chinese Connection
- Classification:R (Restricted)
- Color NTSC
- Run Time: 110 minutes
Good Times Video (America)
- Released:23 Sep 2003
- Named The Chinese Connection
- Classification:R (Restricted)
- Color NTSC
- Run Time: 106 minutes
York Entertainment(America)
- Released:21 Oct 2003
- Named The Chinese Connection
- Classification:R (Restricted)
- Color NTSC
- Run Time: 107 minutes
DVD releases
Mega Star (Hong Kong)- Aspect Ratio: Widescreen (2:35:1) letterboxed
- Sound: Cantonese (Dolby Digital 5.1), Mandarin (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
- Subtitles: Traditional, Simplified Chinese, English, Japanese, Malaysian, Thai, Vietnamese, Spanish
- Supplements: Trailer, Trailers for The Big BossThe Big BossThe Big Boss, previously known by its U.S. title Fists Of Fury is a 1971 Hong Kong martial arts action crime thriller film. The Big Boss was Bruce Lee's first major film. It was written to star James Tien; however, Lee's strong performance relegated Tien, already a star in Hong Kong, to second...
, Way of the DragonWay of the DragonThe Way of the Dragon is a 1972 Hong Kong martial arts film written, produced, directed by and starring Bruce Lee.- Plot :Tang Lung is sent from Hong Kong to Rome to help his friend's niece Chen Ching Hua, and family friends, whose restaurant is being targeted by the local Mafia, which has been...
, Enter the DragonEnter the DragonEnter the Dragon is a 1973 Hong Kong martial arts co-production with Golden Harvest and Warner Bros. studios, directed by Robert Clouse; starring Bruce Lee, Jim Kelly and John Saxon. This is Bruce Lee's final film appearance before his death on July 20, 1973...
, Game of DeathGame of DeathThe Game of Death is a 1972 film starring Bruce Lee. It was almost the last film Bruce Lee had planned to be the demonstration piece of his martial art Jeet Kune Do. Over 100 minutes of footage was shot before his death, some of which was later misplaced in the Golden Harvest archives... - All regions, NTSC
Mega Star 2nd Release (Hong Kong)
- Aspect Ratio: Widescreen (2:35:1) letterboxed
- Sound: Cantonese (DTS), Cantonese (Dolby Digital 5.1), Mandarin (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
- Subtitles: Traditional, Simplified Chinese, English, Japanese, Malaysian, Thai, Vietnamese, Spanish
- Supplements: DVD: Commentary by Donnie YenDonnie YenDonnie Yen is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer, and world wushu tournament medalist...
, Commentary by Bey LoganBey LoganBey Logan is a respected expert on East Asian cinema, particularly Hong Kong action cinema. He is also notable as a screenwriter, film producer and as a martial artist who has had roles in a number of films, including the 2003 Dante Lam film The Twins Effect.He has written two books - Hong Kong...
, Trailer, Trailers for The big Boss, Way of The Dragon, Enter the Dragon, Game of Death, Secret Area, Production Notes, Photo gallery, Mini Nunchaku's Additional VCD: Music video with clips from Bruce Lee films - All regions, NTSC
Fortune Star - Bruce Lee Ultimate DVD Collection (Hong Kong)
- Released: April 29, 2004
- Aspect Ratio: Widescreen (2:35:1) anamorphic
- Sound: Cantonese (DTS 5.1), Cantonese (Dolby Digital 5.1), Cantonese (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono), Mandarin (DTS 5.1), Mandarin (Dolby Digital 5.1)
- Subtitles: Traditional, Simplified Chinese, English
- Supplements: Original trailer, New trailer, Still photos, Slideshow of photos, Celebrity Interviews, Unseen footage, Game of Death outtakes, Enter the Dragon alternate opening, 32-page booklet
- Region 3, NTSC
Fox (America)
- Released: May 21, 2002
- Aspect Ratio: Widescreen (2:35:1) letterboxed
- Sound: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
- Subtitles: None
- Supplements: None
- Region 1, NTSC
Fox - Bruce Lee Ultimate Collection (America)
- Released: October 18, 2005
- Aspect Ratio: Widescreen (2:35:1) anamorphic
- Sound: Cantonese (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono), Mandarin (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono), English (DTS 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
- Subtitles: English
- Supplements: Original trailer, New trailer, Celebrity interview, Still photos, Slideshow of photos, Bonus trailers
- Region 1, NTSC
Hong Kong Legends - Special Collector's Edition (United Kingdom)
- Released: February 19, 2001
- Aspect Ratio: Widescreen (2:43:1) anamorphic
- Sound: Cantonese (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
- Subtitles: English, Dutch
- Supplements: Original trailer, UK Promotional trailer, Rare photo archive with Rare stills, Posters, Lobby card artwork, Interview with Max Lee, Interview with Tony Liu
- Region 2, PAL
Hong Kong Legends - Platinum Edition (United Kingdom)
- Released: January 23, 2006
- Aspect Ratio: Widescreen (2:35:1) anamorphic
- Sound: Cantonese (Dolby Digital 5.1), Mandarin (Dolby Digital 2.0 Dual Mono), English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
- Subtitles: English, Dutch
- Supplements: Disc 1: Commentary by Bey Logan, Biography of Bey Logan Disc 2: Reflections On the Master: A First Amongst Equals: Interview with Sifu Dan InosantoDan InosantoDaniel Arca Inosanto is a Filipino-American martial arts instructor from California who is best known as a student of the late Bruce Lee and authority on Jeet Kune Do Concepts.-Martial arts:...
, Tracking the Dragon: Interview with Linda Palmer, Legacy of a Master: Interview with Jeff Imada, Frieend to the Stars: Interview with Joe Torreneuva, Fist of Fury Remembered: Master of Bushido: Interview with Jun Katsumura, The first Lady: Interview with Nora MiaoNora MiaoNora Miao ); born February 8, 1952 ) is a Hong Kong actress who appeared in many kung-fu films in the 1970s. She was contracted to Golden Harvest, and spent her time making films in Hong Kong and in Taiwan, where she starred in several romance movies....
, Blade of Fury: Interview with Riki Hashimoto, Fist of Fury Location Guide with Bey Logan, Promotional Archive: Original Cantonese trailer, UK Promotional trailer, Fist of Fury: Platinum Promo, HKL Promotionals and Premier Asia Promotionals, The Magic Lantern: Rare Photo Archive - Region 2, PAL
Blu-ray Disc release
Kam & Ronson (Hong Kong)- Released: August 6, 2009
- Aspect Ratio: Widescreen (2:35:1)
- Sound: Cantonese (DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1), Cantonese (Dolby True HD 7.1), Mandarin (Dolby Digital EX 6.1), Thai (Dolby Digital EX 6.1)
- Subtitles: Traditional Chinese, English, Thai
- Supplements: Yuen Wah Interview
- Region A
External links
- Fist of Fury at the Hong Kong Movie DataBaseHong Kong Movie DatabaseThe Hong Kong Movie DataBase is a bilingual website that was created in 1995 by Ryan Law to provide a repository for information about movies originating from Hong Kong and the people that created them....