How Bruce Lee Changed Martial Arts Cinema - Part 1 | Video Essay

Accented Cinema - Episode 22
While primary known as a movie star, most people tend to focus on Bruce Lee as a martial artist. How couldn't they? Watching this man fight is absolutely mesmerizing.
But let's not forget that Bruce Lee is also a filmmaker, who single handedly reinvented the Martial Arts movie in genre, first in Hong Kong, and then in the west.
In this two-part retrospective, we are going to examine just exactly how Bruce Lee changed the film industry.
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[@AccentedCinema]

Correction: Fist of Fury is set during early 20th century, in Japanese occupied concessions within China (Thanks to commenter Afghan Dan)

[@sonnywoods6846]

When does Part 2 Come out? Great Video I love Bruce Lee! I don't know if this is me being a fanboy of Bruce but his fight scenes are better than most modern Fight scenes It just something about them that I can watch over and over again and never get bored with them! Whenever I see his old movies they just stand out from all others modern and old. I wish they would go back and remake Game Of Death They way Bruce Lee originally intended with Donnie Yen before he gets too old!

[@darknessviking]

i dont think bruce lee was very good at all jackie chan in the 70s was way better

[@odojang]

@@darknessviking ''If there hadn't been a Bruce Lee, there would have been no Jackie Chan.'' Who said that? Jackie Chan.

[@sonnywoods6846]

@@darknessviking Jackie Chan was a part of that Opera Group the video creator was talking about

[@hugh8861]

The great thing about Bruce Lee's choreography was his use of broken rhythm, and no one could do that better than him. In the other kung fu films, you will see people trading punches and kicks back and forth in a non stop steady beat. The tempo of Bruce's fights looked so much more realistic. In fact, Bruce talks about broken rhythm in his fight against Dan Inosanto in GAME OF DEATH.

[@SaberisloveSaberislife]

Bruce Lee is still influencing millions to this day. He will never be forgotten.

[@laxer123]

thats what the movies are made for dummy.. sell business

[@lkeke35]

I don't think people have truly taken into account how much American Black people, of my generation, totally loved this man. Thank you for illuminating some things for me about Bruce and his film making styles. This was a great video.

[@AccentedCinema]

There will be a brief section talking about his influence on black culture. Stay tune for part 2!

[@TheSinlessAssassin]

Spoiler for Enter the Dragon: But man I wish it was Williams (the black dude) who fought alongside Bruce Lee at the end of the movie. He looked like in better form than Roper, the white dude. He was alright too, but it would've been more epic to have Williams.

[@ChibiZone]

Bruce Lee was very influential when I was still young. He gave me pride in my culture and got me into martial arts.

[@aguyonthenet9061]

I'm also a proud Asian.

[@tahagocmenoglu573]

@@aguyonthenet9061 me too

[@chernodoggo8732]

The most famous Asian role model in modern times

[@arcy_arts7378]

I remember watching those films when I was at least 9 with my dad. He said that watching Bruce Lee back in the 80s as teen was unlike anything because we were from the north eastern part of India and looked Asian(mongoloid) we didn't see much heros that looked like us and Bruce was like a local hero to them. He loves Chinese martial art movies and actors ( jackie chan, samo hung etc) but Bruce Lee has special place in his heart. Bruce wasn't just some actor or fighter , he inspired and loved by group of people he wouldn't even know existed. P. S the first he ever saw was big boss and it was in Chinese and them couldn't understand him so they dubbed over the dialogue in our language and he said after subtitles and english dubs were available to them in they were surprised how they nail some of the story and dialogue 😂.

[@Akira-ij8jr]

Hey do you know the music at 4:10 ?

[@arcy_arts7378]

@Prakash Gurung yeah that's true. but tbh my dad's generation aren't the most picky in that department 😂😂 ( sorry dad). Bruce was a wasted potential but what he left behind so still amazing. He became bigger than life after death.

[@arcy_arts7378]

@Prakash Gurung agree. he probably would have. But it's hard to think how but yeah he would have. He is very passionate about martial arts. Wish I have even half his passion and talent.

[@colleennewholy9026]

My dad was also a huge fan of Bruce Lee. We're Native American, but like usual. My dad can be quite mixed up with some of Chinese or Japanese descent... So. Seeing Bruce Lee as a lead actor, in relatively big movies. Helped my dad finish high school, and enter the Police Force. Hence. I grew up watching Bruce Lee, other Wuxia and Kung Fu films and eventually branched into Japanese and Korean film and animation as well. I wanr to be such an artist who brings a cultural identity back to my people. So Bruce is a HUGE inspiration

[@michaelcoffey1991]

Everything you start the video with is how my friends and I saw him, and my respect only grew when I was wise enough to see the racism he fought against (was literally told he was to Asian to be the lead in the tv show kung fu which was HIS idea). My friends were all white and black and to each of us we knew we were looking at a legend even when we ran home after school to see the Hong Kong films.... Shaw brothers and the like.. but when Bruce came on it was always something more.... Then as we grew up and knew the racism he fought against with Hollywood not seen an Asian lead as possible, him creating his own martial Arts, and how he was one of the earliest to say he would teahc whom he wanted to Asian or non asian alike.... this was a beautiful video to see today @Accented Cinema :) I can NEVER thank you enough as we loved him and respected him immensely and always will...

[@johndee759]

Michael Coffey what a nice comment. Hollywood had a chance with Bruce. We could have had a Chinese American movie star at this time. I also want to piggyback on your comment and say that I am also very proud of this video.

[@thelastofthehitachi972]

@HenryDavidT asians in american movies/series -Jet Lee, Michelle Yeoh, Lucy Liu, Maggie Q, John Cho, Sandra Oh, Ken Jeong, Jackie Chan, Yun-Fat Chow, Kelly Hu, Constance Wu, Randall Park, etc

[@ValkyrieTiara]

@@thelastofthehitachi972 He specifically said "leading roles". None among Michelle Yeoh, Sandra Oh, Ken Jeong, Maggie Q, Kelly Hu, Constance Wu, or Randall Park have ever had a leading role in a major American film. Sandra Oh has admittedly had a very long and successful career, but it's pretty much been entirely supporting roles and ensemble television casts. Jet Lee and Chow Yun-Fat have each lead a small number of American films, but they're ALL action films, most of them martial arts oriented, and all of them are "asian" in some way (set in asia or about asian gangs or something like that). This is also true of Jackie Chan with the SOLE exception of "The Tuxedo". You know... if you wanna count that one. Lucy Liu ALMOST counts with Charlie's Angels except she costarred with TWO white girls. Unless you wanna count Ecks vs Sever but, again, I don't know why you would. John Cho was in Harold and Kumar I guess? Cool. It's not a secret that Hollywood doesn't think asians can carry movies. Like, period. It has nothing to do with acting ability, it has to the with the fact that studios don't think white people will go to see asian leads. Again, this is NOT A SECRET. Anyone actually in the industry knows this. Why do you think that neither Dragonball nor Avatar TLA *NOR* Ghost in the Shell had asian leads? Between the best actor, best actress, best supporting actor, and best supporting actress categories at the Oscars, you know how many nominees have been asian? Nine. In 90 years. One each best actor and actress, four supporting actor, and three supporting actress. And that includes Middle Easterners and Indians. One each has won for supporting actor and actress, in 1957 and 1984. The last nominee was in 2006.

[@thelastofthehitachi972]

@@ValkyrieTiara yes, asians, middle easterners , latinos, in general minorities have it difficult to succeed in Hollywood.

[@landonhagan450]

One day, My dad and I were bored and channel-surfing when we landed on The Big Boss by pure chance. My dad was always a big fan of Bruce Lee and immediately knew what is was before Lee even appeared on screen, so we decided to watch. It was already about halfway through, but even so we were immediately pulled into it and I've loved it ever since. It's definitely a little rough around the edges, but my dad and I have always bonded over movies, so It's really special to me as a result.

[@Quantum3691]

You have one cool dad. 😀 👍

[@doublep1980]

2 Things that Bruce Lee did,that nobody else was doing at the time: 1). he moved away from the more over the top Wu Xia style to a more ''realistic'' type of fight choreography and 2).he used real-life martial artists in his movies.People like Robert Wall (''O'hara'' from ''Enter The Dragon'' who is a Tang Soo Do and Shotokan master) Chuck Norris,Bolo Yeung or his teacher/ student,Daniel Inosanto. (Inosanto tought Bruce how to use the Nunckuchs and also Eskrima,fillipino stickfighting and then Bruce tought him Jeet Kune Do)

[@impettus]

Dan Inosanto said he introduced Bruce to nunchucks but a few months later Bruce was doing things with them far beyond what he taught him.

[@Ry-bo9hi]

to be fair, back then, martial artists who were open to learning learned from each other as there was no other place to go once you learned everything about your specific craft when Joe Lewis and Bruce lee got together they studied Willie Pep and Muhammad Ali's footwork, thats why you see similar movements with Bruce when he's filiming and Joe when he was fighting

[@InspectHistory]

That wolf sound, really make me remember my childhood

[@zuhri1226]

Bisa disini min

[@akhmadirzalqudratullah6258]

lah kok ketemu anda dsini

[@ryanharrahill3302]

"And a very sexy gentleman"..... No lies detected here.

[@rockstar2012r]

My father introduced me to Bruce Lee not just as a filmmaker but also as a philosopher. His movies are enchanting and just hook you deep in your soul. My father and I have since cherished the shared admiration and appreciation for this super human sage. Great content, my friend 🍻

[@gilgamesh310]

It’s very rare that I hear someone criticizes shots for being too wide. I learned several new things from this video.

[@xyon9090]

*Bruce Lee inspired me to train Martial Arts* I read his Books and watched every Documentaries and KZbin Videos I could find about him He has taught me things that made me the person I am today You did an excellent work with this video I can't wait for Part 2!

[@pulkitrathore715]

Did u watch the legend of bruce lee web series ??

[@anandhua.b4589]

don't restrict yourself to only martial arts do some bodybuilding as well Bruce did some intense workouts

[@xyon9090]

@@anandhua.b4589, bodybuilding? Bruce did Strength training. Bodybuilding is mainly for Aesthetics.

[@NaikaVideo]

For those of you that enjoy Bruce Lee, Van damme and other screen fighters, hope you check out my Movie Retrospective about Tournament Fighting in Martial Arts Cinema today. From Best of the Best to Enter the Dragon, we look at the tournament trope and how it's changed throughout the years for Martial Arts Cinema. Hope you enjoy and subscribe for more content like this! :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5KQhpp4qtmSmLc

[@okAphex]

You just struck the deepest, strongest cord in my heart. Bruce Lee is everything to me and i already am in love with this channel. I only just discovered it and already have gotten Ip man, Steven Chow, And Bruce all in the short time ive been following you. This is one the most entertaining channels i follow. Very informative and introspective, i already and repeating things you say. Thank a million friend.

[@duchi882]

*Bruce Lee Changed Martial Arts Cinema* then his influence changed me for the better

[@tecpaocelotl]

I remember when my father got our first VCR in the 80s, first films we watched were all the available VHS that had Bruce Lee. My admiration of martial arts came from those movies.

[@tefstepho]

"A very sexy gentleman" Yes he was

[@seoulting28]

Can't wait for part 2.

[@Kishan_Baijnath]

This was wonderful as always. Thank you for your brilliant work.

[@JasonRainwater]

Bruce Lee’s legacy deserves the attention of this channel, and you deliver his impact in cinema so well! Thank you so much for your insights into the meaningful contributions Bruce Lee made in the film industry. As always, your presentation is well done. I think any fan of martial arts films can look back at Bruce Lee’s era in movies and see the very noticeable transition from anything prior to his presence. Even when I was a kid, I always felt Bruce Lee’s work seemed more modern, or ahead of its time compared to other kung fu films. The quality of action was higher, deeper, and felt much more real. And even to this day, no action star feels more authentic to me on screen than Bruce Lee. Each film felt like he was expressing who he was through his movements and choreography. It was more than fancy action for action’s sake, rather, his direction had something deeper and meaningful that was important for him to communicate. I think this plays a big part in why he’s still talked about and respected to this day. You can just intuitively feel something real in his art of cinema. He was intent on communicating with the audience, rather than crank out empty action flicks. Again, thank you for acknowledging Bruce Lee’s work on your channel. I look forward to watching part 2! 🐉

[@AgentDanielCross]

Isn't FIsts of Fury set in the beginning of the 20th century when China was basically carved up by the imperial powers?

[@AccentedCinema]

You are right. I'm dumb.

[@AgentDanielCross]

@@AccentedCinema It's cool man, it was educational and entertaining regardless.

[@alexamerri2]

@@AccentedCinema You are not dumb at all, this is just a simple error and you corrected it. Your work is wonderful, please keep going!

[@AgentDanielCross]

@@echelon2k8 Thats the 1994 remake starring Jet Li

[@acadia5898]

wow. got really happy when i saw that it was part 1.

[@50mileninja]

Great recap on the impact Bruce Lee had on cinema and those of us who enjoyed his work, philosophy and character. Looking forward to part 2. Good work.

[@marcelraymond7388]

Nice job as always

[@dvlarry]

You didn’t mention that Sir Run Run Shaw owner of the gigantic Shaw Studio said that the biggest mistake in his life was that he did not sign Bruce Lee to his studio. Bruce Lee demanded too much money he thought at the time. Golden harvest signed Bruce Lee and then became a powerhouse studio.

[@banebasara53]

OMG! My hero Bruce Lee and a video by accented cinema who is becoming one of my favorite youtubers?? I can´t wait to get home from work and watch this! Thank you sir!!!

[@BigWalex]

Brother I gotta say, I love this channel. Not only do you make these professional grade video essays, you give some much needed (at least for me) perspective into an entire different culture. Keep up the good work!

[@AndrewLinArchives]

So excited to watch the next one. This was great, especially since I've recently been learning Wing Chun and just read through Bruce Lee's biography

[@rienzitrento8397]

Really enlightened me , well done

[@geraldkeilman8149]

So happy you did this. Thank you

[@amirroyale]

One of the most important and incredible video essays I’ve ever seen on KZbin. Was looking for far more information about Lee than I could find on this platform and I’m glad yours was the first and really only I could discover. Beautiful content man. Keep striving. 🌺❤️🌺

[@eddted2876]

I NEVER seen anyone move so graceful, with unbelievable speed, power that NO HUMAN ever could do on and OFF screen ! I am sure the Chinese could NOT believe what they saw themselves with their own eyes! Bruce Lee had perfect timing and it was hard to see where his hands and feet came from , already he was far ahead of time and the human eyes! He was born in San Francisco U.S A. He was actually Chinese and German mixed blood. No one on or off screen could do the same skills ever not even 35 years later! Good video and coverage of his history!

[@chevon5707]

Wonderful storytelling - can’t wait for part 2!!

[@DongHuaReviews]

Gotta admit, after your Twitter post I was expecting a NeZha film but this is also a pleasant surprise. Cant wait for part 2!

[@b7fLuid]

I am in love with your analysis of films and particularly Asian films. I've learned so much by watching your videos and I've taken time to explore the films you include. I was waiting for you to do a Bruce Lee video, and now you're doing two parts! I'm sorry I couldn't give more at the moment but when I can, I will.

[@ectofrost]

Great video.

[@zacksilverstone7642]

I remember the first movie that I watched as a child (Chinese movie) is The Big Boss. I never knew it was Bruce Lee's first movie until now, though! I was around 5 years old at the time I believe, and I remember sneaking around in the night and playing the CD disk of the movie at 1 volume. It honestly brings years to my eyes whenever I recall that memory. One of the few nice memory I had when I was a child.

[@AccentedCinema]

I believe it was his first starring role. But Bruce was a child actor, so it's far from his first movie. But yeah, I can imagine watching that at night as a child, must be quite a magical memory.

[@kylegonewild]

I re-watch this series every once in a while. I genuinely love these videos.

[@TheDarkzKnight]

1 minute and i'm hooked to the video nice job as always!

[@gezeo750]

I just had to come to the comments and say YES!

[@Skyjin0]

Wonderful video. Great work! Giving the people real information 👍🏾

[@diosnelfrica7589]

For things like this one is why I’m subscribed to this channel Keep going, you got good stuff!

[@ty_teynium]

After seeing Once Upon a Time in Hollywood I had to see this. This is how I can best remember Buce Lee. Or at least how I'd best prefer to see him.

[@topfitnessssss]

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was a parody film, not depicting any reality whatsoever ..

[@mondomondo1526]

Yessssss, I’ve been waiting for this video!

[@johnnyrivas2619]

Fantastic video! I think this is my favorite one yet.

[@BerntEven]

This was really interesting! Cant wait for part 2

[@kanekaosaard7449]

The man, the myth, the legend. I get teary-eyed everytime I watch this video. The gods took him too soon, leaving us scrambling to continue his legacy.

[@naqib220]

The only things I look forward to while studying in uni, Lo-Fi Chill HipHop beats and Accented Cinema ❤️ thanks for another amazing essay! Keep up the quality work!

[@ceydaturkylmaz7607]

Seksfilmmi

[@shaneboardwell1060]

Glad to see this video after Tarantino did Bruce Lee dirty!

[@ChaseYu]

He said that that was a touch of parody and called Bruce a arrogant man!

[@suntzu7825]

Bruce was handsome Tarrantino is like the living Death a ugly men. And he lied about B.Lee. Alone for that he think he where able to defeat even in a film Bruce Lee needed Brad Pitt a slap 👋🏻 in the Face. Tarantino an this caricature or wannabe Bruce Lee, a sidekick to the Face.

[@johnlloyddy7016]

Fact is, many decades from now, there will probably be more people who would still be influenced by Bruce Lee's legacy, while Tarantino will only be a footnote in cinema history.

[@theKRB93]

My husband and I have been trying to look into the history behind martial arts and some of the iconic actors involved, your video was great and very helpful! Thank you!

[@MatCo774]

Brilliant video

[@sandyamaulana2317]

Wonderful. Good job on explaining the shift from old wuxia to modern kung fu movies. As much as I love Shaw Brothers wuxia movies, it is hard to watch the dramatic, sometimes stilted, choreographed fight scenes that do not age very well, particularly in their movies before 1972.

[@kremenaavramova6109]

Just Simple. Bruce Lee was out of this world. Unbelievable. I wish man like Bruce Lee in my life ❤️

[@francomacias8904]

Real Nice Essay, Very Well Done... Congratulations and Thanks!!!

[@michaelseet9320]

i still want to cry because we lost him so young..he had still so much to offer..i was 7 years old when i first watched The Big Boss and till today i mourn his loss..

[@shihanUKS]

...waiting for part 2. You got something here.

[@jonelbelarmino966]

Keep it up man! I love your stuff.

[@lawrenceperry957]

Now THIS is how you get subscribers. I can't wait to see the next part in this retrospective.

[@kickyou4free903]

I need more BRUCE LEE

[@ericechols7638]

This was a very good video essay on the Great Man & Martial Artist, Bruce Lee. To have a charismatic influence on the masses, 46 yrs & counting after, passing away is a phenomenon within it self. One mystery, we will never know, to question, was Bruce Lee at his peak when he died or not? If not, then WHAT??? 🤔😯😳

[@NESSTOR94]

Genial, gran video amigo.

[@sylart57]

Awesome video!!! Thanks for posting!!!

[@jennifer-wm1il]

Great video👍👍👍

[@catalandustin51]

Bruce was so ahead of the game. The show warrior on cinemax inspired by a story he wanted to tell is great.

[@GaneshNayak]

Very well done video. Great job

[@angelxxsin]

My very first Asian crush. When I first saw his movies, everything about them was fascinating to me.

[@angelxxsin]

thanks mom

[@exeacua]

Man, I liked so much Big Boss. It s my favorite Bruce Lee film, it maybe is the clash between the old and the new that I enjoy so much but Im not shure.

[@johndee759]

Thank you for making this video. You really make all the fans of Bruce Lee very proud. I am actually saddened that Quentin Tarantino chose to depict Bruce in a unfavorable light. It’s very demeaning considering Bruce’s legacy. Again you really make us proud.

[@Drownedinblood]

This is such a coincidence, just came back from Seattle visiting his and his son's grave. I really didn't appreciate this legend's movies enough.

[@eclectic_gamer]

I still think some of those big boss fights are amazing, it still feels fresh and dynamic. Todays movies fight scenes are cut in a way so it hides the actors lack of skill and experience to make it look convincing. Lee's skill, ability and dynamism is so undeniable he has the power and speed of a freight train and poise and control of a ballet dancer really extraordinary at its best its like poetry in motion.

[@DrewNorton3712]

IN 'FIST OF FURY' IT WAS HIS TEACHER WHO DIED NOT HIS FATHER! BUT YOU ARE RIGHT THAT BRUCE LEE INSPIRED GENERATIONS OF PEOPLE AND CHANGED CINEMA! NOT JUST MARTIAL ARTS BUT ACTION, DRAMA AND PROBABLY OTHER GENRES AS WELL!

[@remruat408]

I've seen a lot of your videos. I will suscribe because of this particular video. Very insightful it is.

[@bobguy3939]

Good video, thank you. Love Bruce Lee and golden harvest 👍

[@GeekrulerBlogspot]

Masterpiece.

[@rbix]

This was a great overview. I really leaned something

[@dornravlin]

before he died he was planing to do a traditional sword play movie wish he could have made it that would have been sick

[@simonnot8487]

These cuts are so smooth! Exemplary editing!

[@saimalishahid1406]

Your music choice was really beautiful.

[@TheBarefoottedGardener]

This was seriously emotionally moving. Well done.

[@acegrafik]

Great essay and narrative.Eagerly waiting for the other part(s?).Cheers.

[@thinhquanq.7019]

Can't wait for the next video. Please keep up the good works.

[@shinbakihanma2749]

Damn, you got me giddy for part 2😅

[@cetera.1778]

Great vid man. Long live the legend

[@daarco2]

Thank you for this Video Essay. love it :)

[@janbonne]

Bless you and your channel and cheers for Bruce Lee

[@twoscoop4932]

man that golden harvest logo opening is like a pavlovian response to me now bc i grew up seeing that all the fucking time. even when you muted the sound, i can hear it in my head

[@mangguodaren7366]

感谢，期待第二部

[@prophlopez4470]

I wish these videos were longer! Great content

[@victortjiong3491]

Can't wait for part 2! Also, regarding today's trend of disgusting shaky camera, close-ups, and too much angle editing in fight scenes -- especially Hollywood, I'm looking forward if you could make an essay video about it one day.

[@minmean3016]

1 Opera director disliked this.

[@ashleytkl3036]

Thank you for sharing film making and it's development with us. I created a new playlist just for all your documentaries.

[@roreah]

Very good video! Fascinating!

[@yuhihe]

My childhood hero just like the rest of asian kid back then.

[@dxbrasky]

He was my childhood hero and I'm from California. I saw him in Game of Death when I was twelve. Ever since then I've been in martial arts. I'm 27 now

[@STALLONECORP]

Excellent footage. Thanks for created Grettings from Costa Rica.

[@kakfilm]

Your channel is great. You are making a lot of great points. Keep it up

[@imogenx9145]

Wow!!

[@carbonado2432]

Do video about Nemuri Kyoshiro movies! they started around 1964 and they have great themes and action sometimes, I like movie 7, 2, and 3.

[@jcngokai-76]

He didn’t just change the martial arts movie, he altered the entire course of Hong Kong movie scene entirely.

[@TheSubwaysurfer]

i remember as a kid the first time any id us had seen NUNCHUCKS we were all in awe wondering WHAT ARE THOSE??? overnight millio s of kids in nwighborhoods throughout NYC were stealing their mothers Broom sticks and Mop handles to make their own chucks and start practicing. i myself made a transparent pair made out of fiberglass. Nunchucks were so prevalent in NYC that it became a felony to carry a pair

[@holygroove2]

Any fan of Jun Fan knows what he brought to the screen, and also that he was a sincere martial artist. His philosophy was tied to his fighting and film making. It's really cool to hear your perspective and to get some smaller details from this video - thanks so much!!