slo acy
Brandon Yip

Senior Columnist

 

he definition of a meteor according

to the Cambridge Dictionary is “a
piece of rock or other matter from space that
produces a bright light as it travels through the
atmosphere.” That description perfectly describes
Bruce Lee. He was like a meteor that arrived and
shone brightly in the public’s consciousness. But it
would only be brief.

This year marks 50 years since the release
of Lee’s first Hong Kong movie, The Big Boss (aka
Fists of Fury). The movie premiered in October
1971 in Hong Kong. The film, shot on location in
Thailand and directed by Lo Wei, catapulted Lee
to superstardom as he became akin to the “Elvis
Presley” of Hong Kong. The film also stars Maria Yi
(Chow Mei), James Tien (Hsu Chien), Tony Liu (Hsiao
Chiun, Big Boss’ son) and Nora Miao (drink stand
owner). The Big Boss was the first of a two-picture
contract Lee had signed with Golden Harvest,
whose founder was Raymond Chow. Lee was paid
$15,000 (US dollars) for both films. The second
film, Fist of Fury (aka The Chinese Connection) was
released in March 1972

Notably, Lee’s success would occur during
an era when Asian-American actors endured
discrimination in Hollywood. In the 1960s, Lee
had difficulty securing prominent film roles in
Hollywood. But he did land the role as Kato in the
TV series, The Green Hornet, in 1966 (cancelled
after one season). In addition, Lee had recurring
appearances in the TV series, Longstreet. Apart
from those roles, Lee would only secure minor
parts in Hollywood. He would have to leave
Hollywood in order to realize his dreams of
becoming a movie star.

Unfortunately, during the 1950s and 1960s,
many film roles given to Asian actors lacked
substance and character depth. The roles were
superficial and demeaning, reinforcing negative
stereotypes. A further indignity to Asian-American
Hollywood actors was having Asian-American
characters portrayed by Caucasian actors. Examples
are Mickey Rooney as the character named I. Y.
Yunioshi in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961); and Marlon
Brando plays the character, Sakini, in The Teahouse
of the August Moon (1956). Bruce Lee’s arrival as a
movie star in Hong Kong would be the antithesis.

miejale a’ ejaie

feature TIM made

In The Big Boss, Lee plays the character of
Cheng Chao-an. He moves to Pak Chong, Thailand,
to live with his adopted family and work at an
ice factory. It is later revealed that the ice factory
masks as a drug-smuggling operation. The owner is
Hsiao Mi (The Big Boss), played by Han Ying-Chieh.
The Chinese workers are treated poorly by the
Thai foremen (supervisors), who are verbally and
physically abusive.

Bruce Lee’s character would also be subjected
to abuse during a scene after he began working
at the ice factory. Lee places an ice block on the
conveyor belt. As the block travels on the belt, it
suddenly crashes onto the ground. A manager then
approaches Lee, who is apologetic, and punches
him in the face. Lee is incensed and is ready to
retaliate. But he refrains due to a vow he took with
his family—promising never to fight—symbolized in
a necklace Lee wears.

However, Lee would not adhere to his vow for
non-violence. In a later scene, a large brawl occurs
between the factory workers and Thai managers.
Later a gang of hired thugs arrives in a red bus; to
help the managers. Lee’s chain is removed during
the mélée. And it was here, audiences witnessed
Bruce Lee’s first fight sequence. His face is wrathful
as he proceeds to defeat each villain one by one,
with his lightning-fast kicks and punches. Lee
utters to the bullies, “Alright, hold it! You get out of
here, I’m warning you! You bastards can’t push us
around. You wanna fight? I’Il take you on.”

Another fight scene has Lee in a memorable
battle against the Big Boss’ henchmen in the ice
factory. Lee displays his martial arts skills, as he
proceeds to annihilate everyone who steps in his
path. Afterwards, Lee is horrified to discover his
relatives had been brutally murdered by thugs hired
by the Big Boss. The next scene shows Lee sitting
near the local river, holding knives in each hand.
He pledges that he will avenge the murders of his
family. Lee mutters to himself, “They must be made
to pay for this, and pay they will! Even if | die, they
will pay!” Lee then turns into Michael Myers (if he
knew martial arts and was faster in his reflexes);
and proceeds to the Big Boss’ mansion. He kills the
remaining associates of the Big Boss.

The movie ends with the famous battle
between Lee and the Big Boss. The fight is well
choreographed; especially the slow tension and
build-up are captured magnificently. However, during
a pivotal tense-filled moment, all of it dissipates with
a blooper—as vehicles are seen in the background.

nim a Giodali SUPeTsta

The Big Boss opened in Hong Kong in October
1971. The movie became a box office success,
grossing $50 million worldwide. The budget was
only $100,000 USD. The Big Boss is an action film
that contains superb martial arts choreography;
highlighted by Lee’s strong screen presence, good
looks and charisma. The movie also contains some
nudity and shows scenes at a brothel. Bruce Lee’s
character is even shown getting intoxicated at a
dinner after drinking several glasses of Hennessy.
The Big Boss is also a very violent film for its time,
as there are several death scenes involving the use
of knives.

Bruce Lee gave an interview to noted Canadian
author, Pierre Berton, in December 1971—two
months after the release of The Big Boss. It is one
of the only surviving on-camera interviews that
Lee ever gave. Lee refused to be bitter about his
struggles in Hollywood where he was unable to
secure more prominent roles. “They think that
business-wise it’s a risk, and | don’t blame them,”
he said. “| mean, it’s the same way in Hong Kong, if
a foreigner came in and became a star, if | was the
man with the money, | probably would have my
own worries of whether the acceptance would be
there. But that’s all right because if you honestly
express yourself, it doesn’t matter.”

The Big Boss received many positive reviews.
Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie 69 percent on
its “Tomatometer.” Nicholas Bell praised the film
in his review for IONCINEMA.com, “Efficiently
paced, well-choreographed and full of entertaining
moments featuring Lee, The Big Boss is the
prototype for the template Lee would use over his
next three features.” Matt Brunson, in his review for
Film Frenzy, stated, “Rough in spots and rambling
in others, it nevertheless benefits from Lee’s
effortless charisma and, of course, some rousing
fight scenes.”

On the other hand, Mike Massie was not
impressed, writing in his critique for Gone With
The Twins: “The story is largely pointless, full of
irrational decisions by unthinking, broadly drawn
stereotypes, and ultimately used as a meager setup
for grand melees.” Nonetheless, Ed Travis, in his
review in Cineapse, praised the movie in displaying
the talent of Bruce Lee: “It’s clear why The Big Boss
became a smash hit...the unprecedented furious
star power of an unleashed Bruce Lee.”

Bruce Lee’s widow, Linda Lee Cadwell,
remembered sitting in the audience with Bruce
during the premiere of The Big Boss in Hong Kong.