Rating: 
Summary: Bruce Lee.........A Master In The Art Of Effortlessness!!
Review: I've seen many documentories on Bruce Lee,this is,without a doubt,the best yet..period!! This one is filled with a ton of info,it was like I was learning about Lee all over again. I mean,the actual documents he wrote on,never before seen footage,rare photos,outakes from G.O.D.,the interview he did,audio dictation,you name it,very detailed information on the one and only Master.This dude had a sense of humor too,he'd make you laugh while he was kicking your butt. 'Game of Death' would have been better than 'Enter the Dragon' because he had total control,cameras,lighting,directing,producing,directing and acting. He was wiser with the making of this film also,more so than he was with 'Return of the Dragon'. Seeing this,it's a shame to think that they ever released that ... movie back in the late 70's with those weak lookalikes and fabricated story,they should have not been allowed to do that,it was joke!! We have this now and hopefully more quality stuff like this on the life and work of Bruce Lee will follow.Also,hopefully,someone somewhere soon will realize how important Bruce was,not just a martial artist,but as the humanitarian that he was and finally make a quality movie about his life,with a real actor,real scripts,real director(Scorcese) perhaps,someone of that quality.Bruce Lee was (NOT) a cartoon character and shouldn't be portrayed as such in any shape or fashion,"Dragon:The Bruce Lee Story" was a joke that portrayed Lee in just that way,a cartoon character,with a cartoon script and director behind it. Stick with the facts people,like this documentary is based on,and make a real movie about a real man with a real director and real actor/martial artist playing the role of Lee....I vote for Martin Scorcese as Director.......check out the DVD folks or you might forever believe that Bruce Lee was nothing more than just a cartoon character.
Rating: 
Summary: Indispensible
Review: If you are even a passive fan of Bruce Lee (one of those "Bruce Lee seems fantastic in martial arts, but his films sure stink"), rent or buy this DVD immediately.Watching the documentary, I learned for the first time how deep of a thinker Bruce was (he studied philosophy in college and throughout his life). I saw Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story many years ago, Hollywood's soap opera-ized telling of Bruce's life. Although the film was mostly entertaining, helped by great performances throughout, it pales in comparison to this documentary. Bruce was keenly aware of his own weaknesses (e.g., arrogance, anger) and strength, as well as the society's limitations (e.g., racism, financial realities) and opportunities. We see how dramatically he grows, both in martial arts and as a human being. Unfortunately for us, he ran out of time. Game of Death was to be his launching pad for introducing his philosophy, more highly evolved Jeet Kune Do, and to demonstrate imaginative storytelling. Due to his untimely death, the studio has put together embarrassingly formulaic and hacked version of Game of Death (which disrespectfully features the actual footage of Bruce Lee's funeral). Thanks to documentary filmmaker John Little and Linda Lee Cadwell (Bruce Lee's wife), we get many juicy footage of Lee's interviews and movie/TV clips, inter-spread over interviews of people in Lee's life. And best of all, the version of final 30 minutes or so of Game of Death that Bruce intended. While not perfect (footage is in poor condition and lacks the polish of final product), we get a glimpse of more mature and independent Lee in action. Although far from definitive (clocking in at 100 minutes, cut from 110 minutes shown theatrically), this is the best documentary of Bruce out there, at least to US viewing public. I wish it was longer with anamorphically enhanced widescreen film footage, but it will do for now.
Rating:
Summary: Indispensible
Review: If you are even a passive fan of Bruce Lee (one of those "Bruce Lee seems fantastic in martial arts, but his films sure stink"), rent or buy this DVD immediately. Watching the documentary, I learned for the first time how deep of a thinker Bruce was (he studied philosophy in college and throughout his life). I saw Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story many years ago, Hollywood's soap opera-ized telling of Bruce's life. Although the film was mostly entertaining, helped by great performances throughout, it pales in comparison to this documentary. Bruce was keenly aware of his own weaknesses (e.g., arrogance, anger) and strength, as well as the society's limitations (e.g., racism, financial realities) and opportunities. We see how dramatically he grows, both in martial arts and as a human being. Unfortunately for us, he ran out of time. Game of Death was to be his launching pad for introducing his philosophy, more highly evolved Jeet Kune Do, and to demonstrate imaginative storytelling. Due to his untimely death, the studio has put together embarrassingly formulaic and hacked version of Game of Death (which disrespectfully features the actual footage of Bruce Lee's funeral). Thanks to documentary filmmaker John Little and Linda Lee Cadwell (Bruce Lee's wife), we get many juicy footage of Lee's interviews and movie/TV clips, inter-spread over interviews of people in Lee's life. And best of all, the version of final 30 minutes or so of Game of Death that Bruce intended. While not perfect (footage is in poor condition and lacks the polish of final product), we get a glimpse of more mature and independent Lee in action. Although far from definitive (clocking in at 100 minutes, cut from 110 minutes shown theatrically), this is the best documentary of Bruce out there, at least to US viewing public. I wish it was longer with anamorphically enhanced widescreen film footage, but it will do for now.
Rating:
Summary: The Game of Death That Should Have Been
Review: If you're a Bruce Lee fan, even in the very least, do not pass up this DVD! Forget about the Game of Death that you saw previously that used only about 10 minutes of the real Bruce Lee footage and incorporated incompetent stand-ins and an unconvincing merging storyline. I have always heard about and seen some of the missing scenes, but never seen it brought together as John Little has done in this DVD. His dilligent research and careful application of putting the footage together from Bruce's own notes and illustrations is obvious and well appreciated, unlike the ones who hap-hazardly put together their own version of Bruce's movie over 20 years ago. They obviously lacked the kind of clear, crisp vision that Bruce had in the way he envisioned martial arts to be, as a true artform. Not just people beating the heck out of each other (especially in action movies today), but to have a purpose or reason for violence and learning to adapt within one's own self to the outside environment to overcome challenges, as Bruce does on each level of the pagoda. As I have learned recently, asian movies were usually shot without a soundtrack to make it easier for international showings that had to be dubbed in various languages anyways. Therefore, Bruce's war-cries are from his previous movies but add excitement nevertheless. And yes, you will hear Kareem's voice too! And other good stuff you don't want to miss. Bruce's humour and "serious play" attitude, as in "Way of the Dragon", is as vibrant as ever in various restored scenes of The Game of Death. You can just imagine how much fun Bruce and his friends had in making the movie in getting to "express themselves freely" as Bruce always encouraged. Also, the work done by Dan Inosanto, Ji Han Jae, and of course Kareem are finally in its entirety. This restored vision of The Game of Death alone is worth getting the DVD. The Biography segment contains more of Bruce's philosophy and footage from his screen test, movie and TV appearances that you might not have seen before. This even includes audio clips as well as some home movie footage. Brand new interviews with Bruce's family and friends are also among its features. I would have liked to give 5 stars for this DVD but just one warning. The DVD advertises a music video and a feature-length audio commentary by Little (it does not specify whether this a narration throughout the biography or a separate track for T.G.O.D. portion). Both of these are as elusive as Bruce's bamboo whip. If anyone knows what and where these features are, please let us know. That aside however, this is a MUST for your DVD library. If you don't get it, "...you'll be in deep trouble".
Rating:
Summary: phenomenal
Review: In 1986, I wrote my master's thesis on Bruce Lee's films. AT that time, the footage contained on this DVD was not readily available. Oh, if Only it had been! In my thesis, I declare Bruce Lee's "Fist of Fury" (Aka Chinese Connection) his best film. However, after viewing the reconstructed "Game of Death" on this DVD, I was sadly mistaken. Game of Death indicates the level of cinematic and martial genius that Bruce had risen to. Sadly, in 1979, Raymond Chow and Golden harvest were not interested in making Bruce Lee's film, so they slapped together a horrible mish mash of aging American stars, a stupid plot line, a couple of poorly rendered paste-ups of previous Bruce Lee films and even still photographs, and double who looked like Lee if he kept his head tilted at an certain angle! Why? To make money of course, and also because the original version had elements that did not match their new stupid story line! So their choice was to show 40 minutes of the real thing, or construct a whole new dumb movie and use bits and pieces of all of Lee's films to cash in. We all know the results: Bruce Lee imitation at it's worst and most insincere! We all knew something was missing, and this TRUE version of Lee's last masterpiece shows us how far off the 1979 "fake" version was. Indeed, most Americans will say Enter The Dragon was the best, simply because it was made with American cinematic values. However, from a purely martial arts point of view, "Game of Death" is the closest to the real Bruce Lee that will ever be seen on screen. This is one DVD all Bruce Lee fans better have in their collection. A stunning masterpiece!
Rating:
Summary: Lost footage finally released !
Review: It has been a longtime waiting for the release of this unseen footage from Bruce lee's last movie (Game of Death) . 30 years to be exact . The birth of this project dated back in 1972 before Bruce was commited to make "Enter the Dragon ". And this footage was shelved until the film was completed . Then , sadly , Lee died before he could complete "Game of Death" . Then in 1978 , Warner Brothers released "Game of Death" using only 15 minutes of actual Bruce Lee footage . And the story line was no where close to the original story line Bruce intended to use . Making this movie a waste of time and energy . And now in 2002 , we finally get to see the real deal . The actual footage . Although the movie was not complete , we finally get to see Bruce's fight scenes that were filmed . The only problem i had with this DVD release was the "Special Features " were no where to be found . In Europe and other countries ,they had the features included . So why doesn't the USA version have it ? What's the deal ?
Rating:
Summary: Game of Death is Finaly Released!!!
Review: John Little, one of the most dedicated and prolific Bruce Lee historians has made good by restoring the original Game of Death footage for all of us to see. Little does not try to create a movie out of existing footage, but instead, tells the story of Bruce's martial philosophy as well as his script and ideas for "Game of Death." The last 40 minutes is peer uninterrupted Bruce. How I wish this footage had been kept in the 1978 release. There are tons of material here and one sees more of Bruce's wit and of course, his vision in the fight scenes. Little keeps the fight scenes with the non-Bruce Lee fights as well. This makes the film more enjoyable as the viewer gets a deep sense at what Bruce Lee was after. While the first half is standard Biography fare, the last 40 minutes is pure outstanding martial arts mania. A must for every Bruce Lee fan!
Rating:
Summary: Good documentary, plus the REAL Game Of Death
Review: Overall a great movie. It features more on Bruce Lee's offscreen and onscreen character, and more specifically, his own personal philosophy of life and martial arts. It contains home movies, interviews with Linda Lee Cadwell and friends, and a lot more. But the true gem in this movie is the misssing footage of the Game of Death. You get to see the original script as Bruce Lee intended it. You also get to see 30 minutes of fighting sequences not seen in the '78 release of the Game of Death. It's a real shame what the producers did with that movie, as they did a totally different script from the one that Bruce Lee had in mind, and they also put in only 11 minutes of the original fighting sequences. I believe that there is probably more of the original GOD footage, particularly some outdoor fight scenes, but nonetheless this is the best you're going to find to date. This release is a must have for any Bruce Lee or martial arts fan.
Rating:
Summary: "Be Water, My friend".
Review: Part documentary, part movie, all fun. This film takes a good look at Bruce Lee's life and philosophy. From facing prejudices in Hollywood, to his rise to stardom in Hong Kong and eventually the US, to his untimely death in 1973. Bruce Lee's life was that of phenomenal. This film features rare TV and audio interviews of Bruce, Bruce Lee's home movies and interviews with many of Bruce Lee's friends and family. This film also offers the chance to see the complete 41 minutes footage shot for The Game of Death, Lee's final unfinished film, which have long been considered lost forever. This is the Bruce Lee the world has never seen, until now. "Be formless, shapeless, like water. When you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. When you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you put water into a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend" - Bruce Lee.
Rating:
Summary: Bruce Lee fan? Not if you don't own this!
Review: Probably the best money I've spent on a DVD to date. However, I might be a little biased, I've been a Bruce Lee fan since the 4th grade. After seeing this documentary/movie, it almost makes me upset that the movie studios used only 11 minutes of the original footage. But without that 11 minutes we wouldve had nothing til now. I watch this DVD about 3-4 times a week. It's a must have for any Bruce Lee fan, bottom line. The full uncut battle with Dan Inosanto is an adrenaline rush! The line "You know baby, this bamboo is longer, more flexible, and very much alive. And when your flashy routine cannot keep up with the speed and elusiveness of this thing here, all I can say is, you will be in deep trouble.", is already a classic quote with me as much as "Be water my friend."
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