How Bruce Lee Changed the World (2009)

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 ... See full summary »

Director:

Steve Webb

Writer:

Steve Webb

Stars:

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Cali, Jackie Chan

Cast

Credited cast:
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Cali	...	Himself (as Nelle Franck Cali)
Jackie Chan	...	Himself
Margaret Cho	...	Interviewee
Raymond Chow	...	Himself
Rob Cohen	...	Himself
Randy Couture	...	Himself
Eddie Griffin	...	Himself
Grady Hendrix	...	Himself
Taky Kimura	...	Himself
Shannon Lee	...	Herself
Stan Lee	...	Himself
Sugar Ray Leonard	...	Himself
Yu Pang Lin	...	Himself
LL Cool J	...	Himself

Storyline

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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Plot Keywords:

china | ballet | martial arts master | hand to hand combat | fight | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 May 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hogyan változtatta meg Bruce Lee a világot?

Company Credits

Production Co:

Brian Waddell Productions Limited

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Color:

Color (HD)

Did You Know?

Goofs

The narrator says that the Bruce Lee Museum (including the grounds) in his home town will occupy '1.5 million square kilometers' which is physically impossible. Which is more likely is "1.5 Million Square feet" or the nearest metric equivalent.

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Soundtracks

"Acuña"
Written by Gary J Robinson
Performed by Gary New Vision

User Reviews

A Nutshell Review: How Bruce Lee Changed The World

I cannot partake in the launch of the Bruce Lee 7010 Spotlight Celebrations at the Hong Kong International Film Festival on Tuesday, which will be graced by Linda Lee and Shannon Lee, the wife and daughter of Bruce Lee respectively, and comes complete with film screenings of all his films, especially the earlier, non kung-fu ones, exhibitions, seminars and a newly launched publication whose cover is as above. But that doesn't mean that I cannot choose not to watch this when found hidden within the menus of the plane's inflight entertainment unit.

Written and directed by Steve Webb, How Bruce Lee Changed The World has been meticulously researched for the breath of Bruce Lee's work and influence around the world, and watching him in action again takes the cake, thanks to the fantastic sequences from his films and TV series like The Green Hornet even, complete with plenty of archival photos and footage of the man who would bring about a huge cultural impact for underdogs, and in general, for people around the world.

Perhaps the most valuable amongst all the footage seen, to a fan like myself, will be the documentary ones with Bruce Lee showing what it takes to be an all round fighter working hard to maintain a tip top physique, as well as executing moves which will leave everyone doing a double take. It's quite unbelievable to see through the archival clips left, but Bruce Lee can do one-hand-two-fingered pushups repeatedly, floor someone with his famed one- inch punch, and mesmerize opponents with his lightning quick reflexes, leaving one grasping for the air, when he would have already delivered a lethal blow.

Containing scores of interviews with those who have been co-stars, students, peers and just about anyone who had worked with him before, even luminaries such as Golden Harvest's Raymong Wong, the film shares plenty of how the Bruce Lee influence shaped their respective lives, from being touched by his philosophy, approach to martial arts, or just about debunking stereotypes and the boosting of hopes for the downtrodden who have been inspired by his martial arts films where the character he plays seek justice, and is never shy to use his fists and weapons like the nunchaks when the situation calls for it.

From time to time I wonder just how Bruce Lee would have further developed himself as a fighter with his Jeet Kune Do, as well as the numerous kung-fu flicks that he would have brought to the table, if not for his unfortunate, early demise. One can only fantasize, otherwise this film is a fitting tribute of one of Asia's biggest action stars who's really the real deal.