The Immortal Dragon
If you ask (10) people (not associated with martial-arts films) have they ever heard of the Shaw Brothers, you'd probably get no response. Yet, ask those same people who this man is and chances are if they didn't recognize his picture, they'd surely know his name. Though, he's been dead since 1973, his name still carries the most weight when it comes to Martial-arts films and martial-artists. He has done more for martial-arts films than anyone before him, and everyone after his death. He became so popular after he died, that the word Icon doesn't really describe him. Yet, one thing is for sure, he is the standard, that everyone will be judged by, once they enter the (Martial-arts) film world.
His friend Little Unicorn, was getting film jobs at Shaw Brothers (though nothing major, but he was working). This was possibly, Lee's initial link to try to get a job at the studio, in the first place. He went in with a proposal of, "What he could do for them" - only to have Run Run Shaw, offer him a (standard) studio contract. Lee refused and Run Run turned him down. Lee's approach at Shaw Bros' was a result of bad timing. The studio already had key entertainers bringing in tons of business and from around the world (once they went Global). He was an unknown (his appearance as Kato on the Green Hornet hadn't been released in Asia at that time), and Run Run felt he was just another wannabe actor. His timing at Golden Harvest studios was perfect. The studio was struggling to compete with Shaw Bros' and ex-Shaw employee Raymond Chow was feeling the strain of striking out on his own. Yet, Bruce convinced Chow, that he could make much better films, than those they were currently producing. When The Big Boss originally came out, it broke all previous records held at that time for films in the Orient. On the strength of that one film, he virtually saved Golden Harvest studios and gave Chow a new sense of self. He now had (2) things Shaw Bros' did not have - the Top grossing film of all time in Asia and Lee. |
While many in the industry were Stuntmen pretending alone, all he did was train. Many would try and test his skill as a fighter only to be beaten with techniques he's been honing for years. Born with one leg slightly shorter than the other, bad vision (near-sighted), and one testicle (strange, but true), he fought to overcome these obstacles (as well as racism), when he moved back to the States (he was born in San Francisco) at age (18). The fascinating thing about him was his belief in himself, because he only studied formal martial-arts (Wing Chun) for about (5) years (and this was at an erratic pace) before moving to America. No matter what he did, he strove to be the best and it was this concept by which he'd live his entire life.
He once got to class before everyone else and sat on the steps to tell the students that the teacher (Yip Man) would not be in today and that they could go back home. Thus, when Yip Man did show up, there was only Bruce and he received his first lesson alone with the teacher. This is important because? Yip Man rarely taught his classes himself back then, just watching to make sure, that they were doing the movements correctly. By Bruce being the only one to show up for class that day, he felt Lee was obviously dedicated and truly wanted to learn Wing Chun. Yet, when he found out that Lee had lied to the other students, he only laughed, but understood. Even he saw the lengths that Lee would go to become the best.
Before he came along, movies were good, but after his first film, people saw that they couldn't just keep putting out the same old-thing. Martial artist first, actor second (though he learned how to act first), he revolutionized movement on film. His movies were shown in more places around the world then any other martial-arts actors in the world. On the strength of just (5) movies (one of which he only really appeared for (21) minutes), he has become an International Superstar. Every new actor, trying to break through into Martial-Arts Cinema (and even those who have made it), will tell you, that the hardest thing they ever had to do -- was not be compared to him. (All have failed).
He once got to class before everyone else and sat on the steps to tell the students that the teacher (Yip Man) would not be in today and that they could go back home. Thus, when Yip Man did show up, there was only Bruce and he received his first lesson alone with the teacher. This is important because? Yip Man rarely taught his classes himself back then, just watching to make sure, that they were doing the movements correctly. By Bruce being the only one to show up for class that day, he felt Lee was obviously dedicated and truly wanted to learn Wing Chun. Yet, when he found out that Lee had lied to the other students, he only laughed, but understood. Even he saw the lengths that Lee would go to become the best.
Before he came along, movies were good, but after his first film, people saw that they couldn't just keep putting out the same old-thing. Martial artist first, actor second (though he learned how to act first), he revolutionized movement on film. His movies were shown in more places around the world then any other martial-arts actors in the world. On the strength of just (5) movies (one of which he only really appeared for (21) minutes), he has become an International Superstar. Every new actor, trying to break through into Martial-Arts Cinema (and even those who have made it), will tell you, that the hardest thing they ever had to do -- was not be compared to him. (All have failed).
There has been so much written about him, you'd think he died 300-years ago. Though, it was Lee, himself, who felt he'd never live to be a ripe old age (nor did he want to), claiming he couldn't see himself as an old feeble man, lacking in skill. I, myself, have been a fan of his since I was about (8) years old, and I remember reading about him dying, as I ate my dinner on Sunday July 22, 1973. I was moved then, and I'm still moved. I just can't believe that his memory has lasted this long. But, just to watch one of his films, and you'll know what millions already know - he will never be forgotten. No matter Who you are, What you do, or Where you live, once you throw that first kick or punch - you're already living in his shadow.
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