The best Bruce Lee’s documentary movies

Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee

27/11/1940- 20/07/1973
Bruce Jun Fan Lee (Lee Siu Loong) was born on November 27, 1940 in San Francisco, CA while his parents were on tour with the Chinese Opera. Ultimately raised in Hong Kong, Bruce Lee was a child actor appearing in more than 20 films. At the age of 13, Bruce took up the study of wing chun gung fu under renowned wing chun master, Yip Man. Bruce left Hong Kong at the age of 18, came to the United States and made his way to Seattle, Washington where he worked in the restaurant of a family friend. He soon enrolled in the University of Washington where he pursued a degree in philosophy. Bruce began to teach gung fu in Seattle and soon opened his first school, the Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute. Two more schools followed in Oakland and Los Angeles. Concurrently Bruce married his wife, Linda and had his two children, Brandon and Shannon. In the mid sixties, Bruce was discovered while doing an exhibition at the Long Beach Internationals and a role as Kato in the tv series The Green Hornet soon followed. During this time, Bruce was also developing his own martial art, which he ultimately named Jeet Kune Do (translated: the way of the intercepting fist). Bruce's art was steeped in a philosophical foundation and did not follow long held martial traditions. Instead it had at its core the ideas of simplicity, directness and personal freedom. After The Green Hornet series was canceled, Bruce encountered resistance while working in Hollywood and so headed to Hong Kong to pursue a film career. In Hong Kong he made 3 films, which consecutively broke all box office records and showcased martial arts in an entirely new way. Hollywood took notice and soon Bruce was making the first Hollywood / Hong Kong coproduction with a film called Enter the Dragon. Unfortunately, Bruce Lee died in 1973 before this film was released. This film catapulted him to international fame. Today Bruce Lee’s legacy of self expression, equality, and pioneering innovation continues to inspire people all around the world.
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I Am Bruce Lee

I Am Bruce Lee
7.4/10
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release: 09/02/2012
  • Character: Self / Various (archive footage)
Bruce Lee is universally recognized as the pioneer who elevated martial arts in film to an art form, and this documentary will reveal why Bruce Lee's flame burns brighter now than the day he died over three decades ago. The greatest martial artists, athletes, actors, directors, and producers in the entertainment business today will share their feelings about the one who started it all. We will interview the people whose lives, careers, and belief systems were forever altered by the legendary "Father of Martial Arts Cinema". Rarely seen archival footage and classic photos will punctuate the personal testimonials. Prepare to be inspired.

Jackie Chan: My Story

Jackie Chan: My Story
6.8/10
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release: 17/07/1998
  • Character: Himself (archive footage) (uncredited)
Jackie Chan is one of the world's biggest action stars, famed for his wacky sense of humor, remarkable martial arts techniques, and willingness to perform incredible stunts without the use of doubles -- or a net. This video takes a personal look at Chan as he works on screen projects in Hollywood and Beijing and candidly discusses his life and work.

Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey

Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey
8/10
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release: 22/10/2000
  • Character: Himself (archive footage)
Legendary martial artist Bruce Lee is the subject of this thoughtful documentary by Lee aficionado John Little. Using interviews, behind-the-scenes footage and action sequences from Lee's last (unfinished) film, Game of Death, Little paints a textured, complex portrait of the world's most famous action hero

Bruce Lee: The Legend

Bruce Lee: The Legend
7.1/10
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release: 01/01/1984
  • Character: Himself (archive footage)
The Official Golden Harvest tribute to the Master of the Martial Arts Film, Bruce Lee.

Be Water

Be Water
7.3/10
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release: 23/01/2020
  • Character: himself (archival footage)
In 1971, after being rejected by Hollywood, Bruce Lee returned to his parents’ homeland of Hong Kong to complete four iconic films. Charting his struggles between two worlds, this portrait explores questions of identity and representation through the use of rare archival footage, interviews with loved ones and Bruce’s own writings.

Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks

Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks
6.7/10
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release: 02/08/2019
  • Character: Himself (archive footage)
The wild untold story of the iconic Shaw Brothers who paved the way for the boom of the Kung fu film movement, which had a huge influence on the West that still continues today.

The Best of Martial Arts Films

The Best of Martial Arts Films
7/10
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release: 01/01/1990
  • Character: Himself (archive footage)
The most explosive barehanded combat sequences ever filmed. An electrifying video of martial arts mastery and mayhem. This program takes a behind-the-scenes look at the weapons, the mystical eastern philosophy, and the incredible skills that have made martial arts films one of the most popular genres in the world today.

Bruce Lee: The Man and the Legend

Bruce Lee: The Man and the Legend
6.3/10
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release: 14/10/1973
  • Character: Himself (archive footage)
This documentary tells the story of Bruce Lee and his unsuccessful efforts to start a acting career in the U.S., he returned to Hong Kong where he became an international star, and his death at age 32.

Death by Misadventure: The Mysterious Life of Bruce Lee

Death by Misadventure: The Mysterious Life of Bruce Lee
6.6/10
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release: 31/12/1993
  • Character: Himself (archive footage)
Death by Misadventure: The Mysterious Life of Bruce Lee exposes the truth behind Lee's death and the cover-up that ensued.

Jay Sebring....Cutting to the Truth

Jay Sebring....Cutting to the Truth
7.6/10
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release: 06/03/2020
  • Character: Archive Footage
An illuminating portrait of Sebring, the long-forgotten artist, designer, and entrepreneur who created a billion-dollar hair & beauty industry and defined iconic Hollywood styles for men.

The Art of Action: Martial Arts in the Movies

The Art of Action: Martial Arts in the Movies
6.7/10
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release: 01/06/2002
  • Character: Himself - Interviewee (archive footage)
Hosted by Samuel L. Jackson, this in-depth documentary offers viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the history of the martial arts film -- from the genre's rebellious beginnings to high-flying modern epics. Jackson takes you through the best moments of 100 movies, including Charlie's Angels and Oscar winner Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Interviews with martial arts film veterans Sammo Hung, John Woo and Ang Lee round out the video.

The Curse of the Dragon

The Curse of the Dragon
6.9/10
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release: 30/06/1993
  • Character: Self (archive footage)
A 1993 documentary film about Bruce Lee. The film includes interviews from some of his fellow students and opponents who worked alongside him in his movies.

Modern Warriors

Modern Warriors
6.3/10
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release: 20/08/2002
  • Character: Himself (archive footage)
Over 80 of the world's greatest martial artists demonstrate techniques and discuss philosophy in this fascinating account of the martial arts phenomenon and its increasing global popularity. See rare footage of some of the world's greatest kick boxers. Witness the stars training and analyze their techniques. Learn about competitions such as K-1, the world's most popular martial arts competition. Discover what separates the sports styles and the spiritual style of martial arts.

The Life of Bruce Lee

The Life of Bruce Lee
7.1/10
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release: 01/01/1994
  • Character: Himself (archive footage)
Documentary about martial arts actor Bruce Lee, from his birth in 1940 till his death in 1973, with interviews with his fellow actors and family. Dedicated to his son, Brandon.

Fist of Fear, Touch of Death

Fist of Fear, Touch of Death
2.4/10
A reporter interviews fighters and promoters about Bruce Lee, intercut with footage from old Bruce Lee films and pseudo-documentary footage.

Dragonland - L'urlo di Chen terrorizza ancora l'occidente

Dragonland - L'urlo di Chen terrorizza ancora l'occidente
6.2/10
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release: 01/01/2008
  • Character: Himself (archive footage)
The first Italian documentary on the most extraordinary phenomenon of the 70s: the Kung-fu films!

Jackie Chan - From Stuntman to Superstar

Jackie Chan - From Stuntman to Superstar
5.2/10
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release: 30/08/1996
  • Character: Himself (archive footage)
Jackie Chan - From Stuntman to Superstar is a documentary on Jackie Chan.

Top Fighter

Top Fighter
6.2/10
Welcome to the world of the martial arts. A voyage for the times of the martial arts cinema, from the beginning in China in the 6th Century A.C. by a Buddhist monk, Bodhidharma, until the actual time and the influence in the world, with interviews to actors and historians, and a review to the most important movies of all times and to the most famous action movies actors. A magnificent jewel of this genre what nobody wouldn't lose.

Masters of the Martial Arts Presented by Wesley Snipes

Masters of the Martial Arts Presented by Wesley Snipes
6.6/10
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release: 18/08/1998
  • Character: Himself (archive footage)
Special honoring the grand masters of the martial arts with guest stars from film and television, music performances, live demonstrations, competitions and tributes to Jackie Chan, Bennie "The Jet" Urquidez, Cynthia Rothrock, Billy Blanks, Ernie Reyes Sr., and Shaka Zulu.

How Bruce Lee Changed the World

How Bruce Lee Changed the World
7.7/10
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release: 17/05/2009
  • Character: Himself (archive footage)
More than just a biography, this film explores Bruce Lee's global impact to see how he has influenced all areas of popular culture including fitness, cinema, music, sport, dance, video games and philosophy. A journey across the United States, Asia and Europe, takes Shannon Lee on a trip back to her father's roots in Hong Kong and China. With unique access to the family's photographic archive, home movies and all material owned by the Bruce Lee Foundation.

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