Bruce Lee's legacy still debated 40 years after his death

MSN ^ | July 18, 2013, 12:43 PM EST

[Perdogg]

Late kung fu superstar Bruce Lee may be an international icon, but he is still not the complete local hero in Hong Kong.

Fans are marking his death 40 years ago this weekend with art gallery shows, exhibitions and even street graffiti, but some people are urging Hong Kong's government to do more to honor the former British colony's biggest star.

Lawmakers and scholars have joined calls from fans, fearing the government is wary of fully embracing Lee's legacy. His enduring spirit of youthful rebellion and a willingness to fight big oppressors may have spooked city leaders prone to second-guessing their political masters in Beijing.

[esoxmagnum]

He was what? 110 lbs?

There is no way a 110 lb can beat any 290 pound guy, unless that guy is retarded.

Imagine Paully Shore fighting Shaq. It aint gonna happen.

It’s all fantasy.

My kid wrestles nationally at 220 pounds, and there ain’t no Olympic wrestler at 110 pounds that could even hope to wrestle him.

Now basketball in the 70’s was a different thing, there wasn’t much athleticism (flame on), it was all about height. So yeah, maybe he could beat one lame ass b-ball player.

In reality, Chuck Norris kicked his ass, as did Bill “Superfoot” Wallace. In an exhibition against George Foreman, he took a softie and buckled. There was no contest, George said it was like fighting a 5 year old.

George even offered to fight him for real, for some ungodly amount of money, but it never happened because of the Bruce Lee camp.

Not to say he wouldn’t whip anyone his weight, but the rest was just showmanship.

No way he could take on a heavyweight, or even Bolo Yung. Not a chance in hell. A great screen presence, but not a contender in any realm. He did “OK” in Chinese boxing, which was weight regulated. He was only champion for one year if I remember right.

[SamAdams76]

No doubt Bruce Lee was highly trained and conditioned and apparently mastered the martial arts in real life - I wouldn't mess with him, that's for sure. He used to demonstrate something called the "one inch punch" where he'd put his fist one inch from a man's chest and without moving the rest of his body, he'd drive his fist one inch forward from a stationary position and send that man to the ground every time.

However, I find his movies very dull because all of it is so staged. It was almost comical the way he'd have 50 or so people come after him all at once and he'd kill every one of them with his bare hands (with the occasional use of a stick or nunchucks). That simply could not happen in real life no matter how strong he is. Also, in a real-life situation, somebody would just put a bullet in him and be done with it.

Anyway, I wonder how he died. I don't think anybody knew for sure. My theory is that his diet and exercise regime were so extreme that his body just gave up on him. From what I read about him, he was very uptight and super-disciplined in real life and did something like a thousand pushups and situps every morning before having his typical breakfast of six raw eggs. It's too bad he couldn't chill out and have a Twinkie every now and then.

[mountn man]

On a serious note.

www.Bob Munden

[mountn man]

2 People, equal skills, you're right.

I'm 290, Bruce Lee would have torn me up and on the ground, before I would have realized I was hit.

[mountn man]

I have heard a couple of different interviews with Chuck Norris. One where he claims that it was something neither of them wanted to do and that he (Chuck) was a professional fighter.

But another one Chuck says that they were great friends, but that if a REAL fight had ever broke out between the 2 of them, that there was no doubt in his mind that Bruce would have won.

I had read in an article, back in the 70's where Chuck said when the were sparring, Bruce gave Chuck an airbag to hold. When Bruce kicked, it sent Chuck flying. He said it was the most unbelievable kick he had ever experienced. That coming from someone who knows Superfoot Wallace.

[Slyfox]

In reality, Chuck Norris kicked his ass

And besides, Bruce was not tri-lingual:

[mountn man]

You are right. I find Bruces movies boring too, as everything is so staged.

But for their time, they were revolutionary for martial arts and fight scenes in general. Bruce was known for his superb control and timing, which allowed more realism (for the day) in his scenes. He actually had to slow moves down, because he was too fast. Compare that with Seagull, who's movies are edited to speed them up.

[Bratch]

The dude should have had his own series, but discrimination prevented this.

What was the connection between Bruce Lee
and the television series "Kung Fu"?

Was this part really developed for Bruce Lee and did he help write it?

Special Edition U.S.

From Canada
Region 2

We have no inside information on this subject, but the pilot was written in New York by two people who had no connection to Bruce Lee. Warner Brothers bought the script and it bounced around their people for some time. During this time, someone from the studio discussed it with Bruce Lee and that person probably asked Mr. Lee questions about the Shaolin. We do not know if any information from these discussions and answers was incorporated into the script. The script Warner Brothers bought was far too long for a movie of any kind and so had to be seriously cut, not expanded. On the other hand, some of the information gathered from Mr. Lee could have been changed things in the script they ended up shooting or have been used in the series later and his information may have provided support for the whole project.

Still, Bruce Lee probably honestly thought they were considering him for the role while the people who had control of the project claim they never talked to him or considered him. But someone at Warner Brothers surely talked to him and may have given him the impression that he was being considered.

Was there racism involved in the fact that the people in charge of the project didn't consider Lee? That seems likely. But in the special on the new DVD a VP of ABC said that Lee came to see him and he had trouble understanding what Lee was saying and he felt that pretty much disqualified him. Although he admits that Lee had an enourmous "presence" and he talked with some people for about an hour about the possibility of using Lee.

But it was after this series came out that Bruce Lee did "Enter the Dragon" which changed the world of "Kung Fu" movies.

[stormer]

Here's Wilfred Dietrich defeating Chris Taylor - sometimes size doesn't determine outcome. As far as Norris VS. Lee, it never happened. Lee didn't compete, and was Norris' trainer and sparing partner when Norris was active. Foreman and Lee? You've got to get me a reference for that, cause I can't find one. And as far as Yeung is concerned, he said, "There will never be another Bruce Lee..."

[MarkL]

The dude should have had his own series, but discrimination prevented this. One can only imagine where Lee would be today had he survived.

You hit the nail on the head... "Kung Fu" was originally written for Bruce, but the a$$hat$ in the studios decided that David Caradine would make a better Chinese philosopher/warrior.

Mark

[Perdogg]

Interesting point. Could Bruce Lee be held under a theory that his skills make him more dangerous, therefore he would have to go out of his way to avoid trouble?

[jobim]

When I was in Taiwan in 1978 I made a movie with Bruce Lee’s younger brother Robert. It was a boxing movie. They needed a guy the same size as Lee with boxing experience. The movie only appeared in American Chinatown theaters, although it was a big budget movie for Taiwan.

[isthisnickcool]

There will be a new Bruce Lee movie using new technology that will stun people.

[Huskrrrr]

Thanks!

[Impy]

The UFC constantly markets him as the grandfather of mixed martial arts.

[esoxmagnum]

Well, I guess for a real competition fight, you are correct. But it was always contended in the 70’s that Norris would have brutalized Lee. Norris WAS the world champion, and Lee was as much Jackie Chan is to movies, as Lee was to movies.

Yes, they were friends, and I suspect after Lee’s death, everyone in Lee’s circle had great things to say about him. I have never badmouthed a dead friend.

Also, as far as the airbag, I would bet it was true. They were equal weight classes.

I think Bill Wallace was quite a bit heavier than Lee, I could be mistaken. But he competed when Norris did, and if I remember he was in a heavier weight class, maybe a few classes higher.

I don’t recall exact details, I’m going off of memory, as I did competition Karate in the late 70’s (amateur stuff) but I read all the magazines like Kick and stuff like that. I used to hang both Lee’s and Norris pictures on my wall in the garage as inspiration.

As far as Lee’s skill? I used to idolize him, no doubt, but I still think there were better fighters of that generation. Just my opinion.

As far as current times, I don’t think he would fair well with an MMA champion. No one from that era would.

[esoxmagnum]

“He used to demonstrate something called the “one inch punch” where he’d put his fist one inch from a man’s chest and without moving the rest of his body”

I think that myth has been proven wrong may times.

[esoxmagnum]

I’m sure everyone would agree, there will never be another Bruce Lee.

And yes, in wrestling or submission size matters little. Look at the Gracie family. Back when MMA had no weight limits, they were regularly trouncing Shamrock and Tank Abbot.

Lee was not a submission fighter by today’s standards. The arm-bars in his movies were weak, not done properly.

I mean, the lock is good, but setting up the lock is all wrong, and highly doubtful and suspect.

And as far as wrestling, like I said, my kid is at 220, he has been trained with Eric Wetzel at the Olympic camp in Colorado, and done many Dan Gables camps over the years. When he was at 160 in Jr. High, he could beat many big guys (what we call floppers) as in your picture, but few with a lean body fat of say 5% who was 40 pounds heavier than him, unless they had little to no experience / focused training / etc.

I mean, hey though, maybe Bruce Lee was all that (even though I still love him to death). I never seen him fight in real life, so I guess I can’t fully judge him.