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'Fist of Fury'

Classic Martial Arts Flick Review

By Roy JonesPublished 6 years ago 4 min read
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It can be hit and miss with martial arts movies. While some are just a mass of badly choreographed action sequences, good films can get lost in translation. One thing fans can be sure of when they pick up a Bruce Lee movie is that they are watching a quality production. With the legend's extensive martial arts training, the man liked to portray a realistic product on screen. Although Fist of Fury stands on the fringe of realism, I think there's enough here to keep action film fans happy. This is Bruce Lee's second feature film following The Big Boss which was originally released in 1972 but didn't come to the UK until 1973.

The story takes place in an occupied Shanghai. Chen Zhen (Bruce Lee) returns home to marry his fiancé. Tragically, Chen's renowned martial arts teacher Huo Yuanjia has died in what looks to be foul play. During a memorial, a rival Japanese Martial arts school come to mock the grieving students and even deliver a sign disrespecting their teacher. Chen Zhen is restrained from fighting by his fellow teacher and students. The acting is really good, even if the villains are a bit over the top.

That's one way to start a fight....

Chen Zhen at the Japanese School

In true martial arts style, Chen Zhen returns the sign to the Japanese school and challenges their students. What takes place is a semi realistic fight, as Bruce easily dispatches a challenger only to be encircled by the group of students. Bruce's impressive skills as a martial artist are enough for the viewer to suspend their disbelief as he displays incredible artistry with his kicks. Zhen continues to investigate his Master's untimely death and what unravels is a plot of violence and revenge. The locations are very oriental as you'd expect for a film like this, ranging from the streets of Shanghai to the various martial arts school. The film can stand up against many of the martial arts films that you see today. Bruce likes to inject the different styles to his movies, highlighted best when the Chinese School are practising their skills before an ambush. Maria Yi who plays Bruce Lee's fiancé displays some impressive Kung Fu kata and you see other students displaying their weapon and hand skills.

I've noticed, though, that Bruce Lee tends to acknowledges himself as "the boxer" or a "Chinese boxer" showing what kind of style the legend may have favoured. That's only speculation, though, as Bruce Lee encouraged "no style as his own style."

Chen Zhen earns himself a fugitive status as he unveils the truth about his Master's death, killing the various assassins and henchmen responsible. At one point he infiltrates the rival Japanese school posing as an odd telephone repair man. His acting skills shine here as his facial expressions and mannerisms make him unrecognisable as "The Dragon" we all know and love.

Take what is useful. Disregard what isn't...

Even if you're not a martial arts fan, you can see why this guy is renowned all over the world.

The Japanese school gets increasingly nervous about Zhen's rampage and hires a Russian martial artist as protection. Petrov acts as a bodyguard for the Master of the Japanese school, played by Riki Hashimoto.

Hashimoto is very sinister looking and his cold demeanour makes him an excellent bad guy. The bulky Petrov was actually one of Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do students at the time, a man called Robert Baker. He was chosen because of his large size and "tough guy" look. Near the end of the film, he displays some excellent grappling moves which shows how ahead of his time Bruce Lee was in terms of martial arts. Baker is merely an intimidating presence, though. His role didn't include much acting.

Obey your Sifu!

Riki Hashimoto plays a good villain.

There's a bit of everything in this 1972 classic—the romantic interludes between Chen Zhen and his fiance are quite tragic. The two find themselves in a "Romeo and Juliet" type scenario which doesn't look like it's going to end well. Bruce Lee gets in a bit of sword play and his "patented" nunchuk action which he shows great skill at using. There is something about his films which make him distinctively unique. I'm not quite sure if it's because he injects his teachings in there or whether this is his acting or mere screen presence. What I can say is it brings a lot of enjoyment, especially to a film which is probably over 50-years-old now.

'Be water, my friend...'

Petrov and Zhen exchange shots!

The fighting is there, the story is there, and there's even an exotic dancer to tantalise the male viewers. I give this 3 out of 5, a great film but it might be a bit dated for some viewers.

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Roy Jones

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