It was over 50 years ago this week when the world learned of the untimely death of Bruce Lee. While his cause of death was never clearly determined, Bruce Lee’s impact in martial arts and film is unmistakable. He is considered by many to be the most influential martial artist of all time and is credited for paving a new path for Asian actors and filmmakers in Hollywood.
His popularity and iconic status go beyond his life as a martial arts, film, and television icon to post-humorously include comics, animation, merchandise and now video games.
“Enter the Dragon” (1973) was Bruce Lee’s final completed film before his death on July 20, 1973, at the age of 32. He never saw the film in its final state or its release one month later. The film was added to the Library of Congress National Film Registry in 2004.
Today, we pay tribute to Bruce Lee and the film that is still considered to be one of the greatest martial arts movies ever made.
Enter The Dragon
Essay by Michael Sragow
In “Enter the Dragon,” a Shaolin temple priest and a Western intelligence agent persuade a suburban Hong Kong phenom named Lee (played by Bruce Lee) to attend a gangland chieftain’s kung fu tournament. It’s actually an audition for potential thugs to fill an underworld army. But Lee disdains the suggestion that he might need military help. He’s an old-fashioned Chinese individualist; his body makes him super self-sufficient. “Enter the Dragon” is basically a revenge fantasy: the henchmen of Lee’s mobster-enemy (Shih Kien) hounded Lee’s sister to her death. But along with its tension (and its camp), the film is suffused with sympathy for outcasts and underdogs. One of Lee’s allies is a Black American man (Jim Kelly) who escapes to the kung fu match after practicing on a pair of racist cops. (When crossing the Hong Kong harbor he mutters, “Ghettos are the same all over the world — they stink.”) Add a debt-ridden white gambler (John Saxon), who knew Kelly’s Black Power black belt in Vietnam, and you’ve got a three-man shock troop for the Rainbow Coalition. When this film premiered, extremists were telling slum kids to get their hands on guns; Lee’s message was that angry young men of all colors possess “the fire next time” within.
Lee died on July 20, 1973, six weeks before his $600,000 “epic” debuted and went on to gross $150 million worldwide. It’s a gaudy, gimcrack construction that’s also a whirling piece of legendry. Lee coined his own action-film iconography out of flying fists and feet. All of these years later, he still excites that audience from the moment he appears, in wrestling briefs that drape his buttocks like the cheekiest, chicest Calvin Kleins. It’s less a matter of sexual attraction than transcendent awe. He’s reed-thin and feather-delicate, and when he goes on the attack there’s no macho cool about him. He vibrates with concentrated energy, like a spindle. You fear his intensity will crack your skull. He takes you so far into his gladiator’s psyche that you feel his moves and countermoves even when he gyrates too quickly for you to understand them. He could be giving himself whiplash as he shakes his head clear for the next step; more than thinking on his feet, he thinks on bobbing toes. Because he was so incredibly quick and light, I once called him the Fred Astaire of kung fu, making martial arts look easy. But you say he’s the Baryshnikov, exercising midair scissors cuts as complex as Balanchine ballets, or the Savion Glover, conjuring improvisational dance from his rattling kinetic rhythm.
The opening match in “Enter the Dragon” is a warm-up for novices: Chop Sockey 101. He wins it with ease and without preening. Of course, Lee choreographed all the fights in the film himself. But he makes them appear spontaneous — no, inspired — and as selfless as the work of a completely engaged athlete. Lee fills the movie with acrobatic wonders. Vaulting into a tree he appears to be reversing gravity; more than in any “Superman” film, you believe he can fly.
Lee’s triumph is one of personality and vision, not just physical performance. At rest, his slightness, the light timbre of his voice, and his unlined features are disarmingly boyish. Lee also has a boy’s furtive cunning. He has as much control over his facial muscles as he does over his biceps — we know that his occasional blankness is an act of will, a camouflage against prying eyes. At sport he doesn’t pander to sadistic fantasies; he plays by strict, fair rules. But in a grudge match, his very being alters. His lungs expand like bellows, filling his body with new weight. His muscles ripple like electrified barbed wire. And his face takes on the aspect of a demon. It’s tantamount to seeing the Incredible Hulk emerge without special effects.
Lee communicates instantly with teenagers and children because he seems to have just straddled adolescence himself. Most of the time, he’s stoic, but when family honor is at stake, and his private essence challenged, he allows himself to go tantrum-crazy. In his Hulk act he lets loose a primal scream. Lee refutes the notion that we grow up and out of youthful sentiments, jettisoning them in stages, like rockets. Lee holds them in equipoise — and assumes a suave, wry maturity. He shows that childish emotions need not be retrogressive; they can be downright restorative for adults.
You can predict how Lee will react from moment to moment, yet his personality hangs together. His shifts in accent from the slurred and breathy to the ultradeliberate and Mr. Moto-esque (“con me” becomes “khan me”) somehow merge to seem pleasing and refined. His mystique is magnetic. He’s never just “an inscrutable Oriental.” He betrays enough of his inner workings to compel our curiosity. The Lee figure is a rebel without a portfolio. But he does have a cause, which nothing less than authenticity. Near the beginning of “Enter the Dragon,” he urges a boy at the Shaolin Temple to kick him with “emotional content.” The boy holds back, reluctant to attack an understanding older-brother figure. Lee doesn’t condescend or coddle; instead he slaps the kid repeatedly, catalyzing fighting passion. What Lee is trying to teach isn’t a bag of tricks or an ethereal ritual, but an organic discipline. He’s putting flesh on the Force. He wants us to be so attuned to our emotions and abilities that we can set them loose in controlled torrents — floods of feeling coursing through physical floodgates.
In the 1979 kung fu movie “Circle of Iron,” made from a script Lee was developing at the time of his death, TV’s martial arts master, David Carradine, taught a surly neophyte Lee’s special Spartan strain of Zen. Carradine instructed the boy to distrust abstract religious values and to respect justice — not arbitrary rules. The overriding theme was “Know Thyself”; when Carradine led his tutee to the Book of Enlightenment, each page was a mirror. Idealistic though it sounds, the saturnine Carradine and his reluctant disciple (Jeff Cooper) made Lee’s philosophy seem like an excuse for breaking nonbelievers’ bones. Watching Lee in “Enter the Dragon,” lessons that could be gassy or dangerous become concrete and admirable. When Lee keeps his foes from invading his circle of iron, he puts value back into the phrase “creating space.” His integrity works like an invisible shield. His presence is so unself-conscious and sure, he’s less a beacon of selfhood than a paragon of honesty and wholeness. Jackie Chan may have brought his own unique form of martial arts comedy to movies. But as a heroic ideal, no one has filled Lee’s fighting shoes. No one’s even invaded his space.
The views expressed in these essays are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Library of Congress. This essay is reprinted with permission by the author from “The A List: The National Society of Film Critics’ 100 Essential Films,” (2002).
Michael Sragow is a film critic and columnist who has written for “The Orange County Register,” “The Baltimore Sun,” “The San Francisco Examiner,” “The New Times,” “The New Yorker” (where he worked with Pauline Kael), “The Atlantic” and salon.com. Sragow also edited James Agee’s film essays (for the book “Agee on Film”) and has written or contributed to several other cinema-related books.
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To learn more about National Film Registry and to nominate films for consideration, visit the National Film Registry website.
Comments (50)
He was very much an excellent martial artist with a strong mind and knowledge whom will be sadly missed but never forgotten rest in peace 🙏 Bruce.
Well. No one was or will be ever so Inspiring as Bruce was. In a single state of his being He is “totally and completely awesome”!!!
I first became a fan in the late 60s after my military. On Friday s at 4 cts I would let my office of 23 leave a half hour early if they would watch Green Hornet with me. We were the same age . He was like watching magic. He’s missed.
Like BRUCE LEE SAID
LIFE IS LIKE A CIRCLE
WITHOUT A CIRCUMFERENCE
AND THERE IS NO WAY AS WAY that’s WHY HE CREATED THE WAY OF THE INCERPTING FIST BECAUSE UNDER ONE HEAVEN WE ARE ALL ONE thank you BRUCE LEE FOR THESE WORDS THEY CHANGED MY LIFE sincerely yours Javier Reyes
The Name Bruce Lee will always be their in the heart of his fans.
No body can match his energy that he used to bring on the screen.
Sir Bruce will always be remembered as epitome of Martial arts always.
Sir Bruce will always be remembered across globe as an epitome of Martial arts.
No match for Sir Bruce.
Will always be their in the hearts of his fans.
Sir Bruce will be always remembered as epitome of Martial arts.
No match for sir Bruce.
LOVED THE MOVIE&ALL THE ACTOR’$,BRICE LEE IS🥷WAS&STILL IS MY FAVORITE MARTIAL ARTIST,I WISH BRUCE WAS STILL HERE,SO I COULD LEARN FROM HIM&possibly meet&greet him&his amazing family.🥋☯️🥷🇺🇸🎇🇺🇲RIP.BRUCE LEE
The man the myth no one did it better than Bruce Lee RIP mate
Some people say that no one was or will ever be as inspiring as Bruce Lee was. I disagree 100% with that statement. While he was and still is a inspiration to people around the world there was one man who lived and died long before Bruce Lee. His name is Jesus Christ who was and is God’s Son and who lived a perfect life i.e. committed no sin(s) and was crucified on a wooden cross to take all the sins of mankind in the world. The Holy Bible says that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ Is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved. I’m asking for you to pray and say this prayer out loud and at the same time believe it in your heart-God I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ Is Lord and I believe in my heart that God raised you from the dead on the third day according to Your Word. God I also repent, renounce and cancel every pact that I have with my flesh, The devil and with the world and I now freely choose to follow and do your will every day for the rest of my life, Thank you Lord Jesus for saving my soul and for writing my name in the Book Of Life. Father God in Jesus Name I pray, AMEN!!! If you did that according to the Holy Bible you are now saved from eternal damnation on judgement day and from being separated from God for eternity in Hell. I would encourage you to get a Holy Bible, Go to a Church that believes, teaches about all of the Words Of God and encourages you to study, grow and fellowship with other true Christian believers like you now are in Jesus Christ. Last thing I’ve found is that all true believers in Jesus Christ believe in their heart and confess out loud that Jesus Is Lord. Amen.
Enter The Dragon is arguably an all time great movie. Bruce Lee was a one of a kind.
I truly enjoyed and appreciated the introduction of Jim Kelly. He too was an outstanding fighter. Unfortunately, Hollywood did not capitalize on his talents and wrote him out of the movie too soon.
During that time, Hollywood was dealing with the prevailing cancer of racism and could not see his character outshine John Saxon. Nevertheless, the strength of the picture was in the fighting prowess of Bruce Lee.
As a young kid. I studied martial arts. I learned the fundamentals and discipline of fighting from both my training instructor
( Jim Kelly) and from studying this movie particularly. It was a joy to watch in 1973 and still delivers an authentic experience to new viewers.
You revolutionised martial arts Bruce, my idol.
Also promoted ethnic equality around the world. Taught so much more than martial arts. One of the biggest losses in the movie industry. Hope
You are resting peacefully.
He was before my time and I can’t stand the lack of respect some people have for him. He was awesome.
After 50+ years, his inspiration and legacy will help future generations. I was so inspired by him that I attended his 25th death anniversary just to respect his living family and friends. I am still inspired today.
Awesome and amazing person. Such a humanitarian. You are and will continue to be missed.
A true inspiration and monumental legend!
Bruce was simply beyond comparison.
I prefer Seagal’s sequel, Enter The Dragqueen.
Bruce was more than iconic to his legion of fans. He is literally a super hero. In the film the Abbott comments on Bruce’s abilities moving beyond the physical level. No truer statement has ever been said in a film. It reflected every faucet of his life. To us he was, so much more than an action superstar, Martial art master, accomplished actor and family man. He was our real life Superman. Sleep well Little Dragon.
I have been a BRUCE LEE fan since the Green Hornet days and was instantly a follower and admirer. We were all blessed to witness a phenomenal and extraordinary individual till to I still worship BRUCE LEE and his mastery of his self DISCOVERY he has taught me many things that I live by, never again will we see anyone as charismatic with such finesse , speed power and style, SO RIP MASTER YOUR THRONE IS SECURED and thank you for showing us the was of how to route out our own ignorance ” BE WATER MY FRIENDS BE WATER “
He was my Hero the moment I set eyes on him on the big screen. In 1973 I was 15 and I discovered an awakening of an art, and a ‘love’ I never would have imagined. A passion that has stayed with me to this day in my 60s. I still watch his movies with the same excitement as I did back then. There is and never will be another like Bruce Lee, ‘The Master’ who started it all. Long live the Little Dragon!
Founder of JKD.
Though the Master is gone…. He shall not be forgotten.
A LEGEND.
We love him so much
Have bruce lee been alive today he would be older as his physics would never change as well speeds accurate positon in legs and kicks strength as well as power for theirs wont be another that can replace him as i am also a chinese american born in Singapore as Mr.Lee the grandmaster who created martial arts mixes boxing which mma that is call today compare to lies and untruth been bought in by that scroundel taraino in One Upon A time in Hollywood just to earn a,quick buck but now his film become a flock and pples question his points of rasic towards the chinese pples and without us history would be indespair as chinese all over the world stands as one as our roots came from china.As chinese phrase said we are the dragon great grand childrens from China
I was only nine, at the time when Bruce Lee’s died. No one has ever impacted my life the way he did in such a short time. I cried, l couldn’t understand how someone so extraordinary and fiscally fit. Could just drop dead. I can only imagine how much more he would have given us ,if not for his unbelievable death.
Bruce Lee is a “dragon” by rights. An enemy to those that feed on the weakness of others. Has uncommon speed of a dragon, you feel his attack but not seeing it coming.. No wonder bad dudes have troubles fighting him to their final dismay.
Since the days he was Kato in The Green Hornet he inspired me to pursue the Martial Arts in any and every way imaginable. He showed what discipline and perseverance could accomplish to those who stayed the course. Without ever meeting him he taught me more than many I studied with over decades. Icon doesn’t begin to cover it.
Bruce Lee was and will always be an Inspiration to Black People I was 16 yrs old when I first started admiring him and I still admire him Today as I did then In my opinion He will Always Be Unbeatable.Amen
I was a kid when the movie came out my father took me to see Enter the Dragon an he said what a good movie you know how to pick the movies
Even before I ever knew what Bruce Lee looked like, he was an image easily envisioned by 9 year old boys like myself. My friends and I thought of a God from Greek and Roman mythology. Then when we finally saw Enter The Dragon, Bruce Lee was so much more.
He is the best at what he did and there will never another to replace him.
Bruce Lee was one the Best Martial Artist Fighter of his time. He inspired me to take martial art training. He was my Hero .
Bruce Lee was the Best Martial Art Fighters of his time. I love all of his movies he made. He inspired me to take Martial Art Training. He was my hero growing up, I was a teenager back then seeing all of his movies. He was my Superhero. I will always remember him never forgotten much respect Bruce Lee .
Bruce Lee Inspired me as young man growing up. My Family and I watched Bruce Lee Films all the time! “Enter the Dragon” is Still An Amazing Film with An Amazing Martial Artist that has and will continue to Inspire Generations to Come! Bruce Lee is Truly Missed But Never Forgotten! Rest In Peace Bruce Lee!
Bruce is excellent martial artist cannot be compared with anybody even today.
Bruce Lee actually saved my life especially back in 2011 whilst I was at work doing a job as a security officer.I have practiced the martial arts for over 49 years and it Bruce Lee who inspired me like many others back in the 1970’s.I miss him like so many,but I know one thing for sure his memory will always live on forever 🙏🏽☯️🙏🏽
Bruce Lee, with or without media is the most influential martial practioner full stop. Oh, don’t want to be downer but he didn’t like that Jump into tree in”Enter” . He’s against camera tricks as that was filmed and reversed. But even now through my training, nobody around can kick as quickly and powerful as Bruce. Remember he had to slow down so it could be seen on camera.
Bruce is the brother I never had and he watches over me and protects me until our spirits finally meet.
Bruce Lee was a hero and he was sent to teach the martial art. I don’t think we will get someone like HIM.
Bruce lee was an awesome Martial Artist, he inspired me to do Martial Arts I just recently started doing Karate and it’s awesome! I absolutely love it. I’ll never stop loving you ill always remember you, love you be in my heart for ever.
Love you Bruce Lee.
He was an excellent martial artist with strong knowledge whom we missed him but never forgotten,God bless you,rest in peace -Bruce
Bruce Lee was the best Martial Artist ever No one came close in the world
Bruce Lee actually died from a kidney disorder, that’s how he really died
So far, in this wide, wild world, no Soul can surpass nor even match the masteral skills of the legendary, Bruce Lee in the field of martial arts. That alone branded him by both the martial arts masters globally and media as, “Bruce Lee, the superhuman!”
Very good
I like bruce Lee fighting
A true and loyal devotee of Martial arts, May his Soul rest in peace
I have always been a big fan of martial arts, but when l saw Bruce Lee in the Green Hornet and saw that the fight scenes were more realistic. But then again l also like the Gung Fu movies.
But was the best !!!!!
Bruce was a fighter ahead of his time when it come to combat. He will always be remembered as the world’s best martial artist of all time. He skill was unmatched , and will always be remembered.
There are a lot of people out there that profess to be great martial artists and that may be true but there was none better than Bruce. I met him in person and he was absolutely awesome and mind-boggling and the feats of the accomplishments. Not only that but he has been measured in the speed and which he executed these techniques and it’s been well established by scientists that he was considered the fastest human being ever. Including comparisons to Donnie Yen and Jet Li as well.
Bruce Lee was an idol of mine since the Green Hornet days . His philosophy which he applies to his martial arts makes lots of sense. Be water my friend.