- George Chung
- Jul 19, 2024
- 6 min read
Every week Black Belt keeps you updated with the best martial arts movies, events and fights from around the world.
This is the Black Belt Watch List for the weekend of July 19th, 2024. On the weekend that we celebrate the life of the world's most famous Martial Arts hero Bruce Lee we can celebrate by enjoying his greatest works!
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Don't miss the exciting martial arts events happening across the USA, Europe, and Southeast Asia! Black Belt Magazine has all the latest updates.
Watch The Big Boss a.k.a Fists of Fury
Streaming FREE on PLUTO
The Big Boss, originally known in the United States as Fists of Fury, is a landmark 1971 Hong Kong action martial arts film. Produced by Raymond Chow, this cinematic gem features stellar performances from Maria Yi, James Tien, Tony Liu, and Nora Miao and catapulted Bruce Lee to stardom in his first major lead role.
The story follows a young man named Cheng (Bruce Lee) who, along with his uncle, leaves China for Thailand to live with his cousins. Before embarking on this journey, Cheng makes a solemn promise to his mother to abstain from fighting. In Thailand, Cheng secures a job at an ice factory thanks to a recommendation from his roommate, Hsu Chien (James Tien), who is both the leader of the workers and a skilled martial artist frequently embroiled in conflicts with local gangs.
Despite his vow to avoid trouble, Cheng finds himself drawn into a confrontation with the factory boss following the mysterious disappearance of his friends and cousins. As tensions escalate, Cheng must decide whether to keep his promise or take a stand against the corruption and violence surrounding him.
The film was Bruce Lee’s first starring role in a worldwide release and started his journey to stardom.
Watch Fist of Fury a.k.a Chinese Connection
Streaming FREE on PLUTO
Fist of Fury also known as The Chinese Connection, is a 1972 Hong Kong action martial arts film directed by Lo Wei and produced by Raymond Chow under the Golden Harvest banner.
Following his explosive debut in The Big Boss (1971), Bruce Lee stars in this film and also serves as the action choreographer, showcasing his unparalleled skills and visionary approach to martial arts cinema.
In Fist of Fury, Bruce Lee portrays Chen Zhen, a dedicated student of the revered martial arts master Huo Yuanjia. The film opens with Chen returning to Shanghai to marry his fiancée, only to be devastated by the news of his sifu's untimely death. During the funeral, members of a local Japanese dojo arrive and insult the Chinese students, sparking a series of confrontations.
Chen initially fights back against the bullying, but the true gravity of the situation is revealed when he learns that his teacher was poisoned under the orders of the dojo's master. This revelation propels Chen on a relentless and ultimately doomed quest for revenge, as he seeks to defend the honor of his fellow Chinese and avenge his mentor's murder.
The film also establishes Bruce’s proficiency in the nunchaku which was featured in a large group fight scene, Bruce against the dojo.
Fist of Fury stands out not only for its intense action sequences and realistic fight choreography but also for its poignant exploration of historical and social issues.
Watch Return of the Dragon a.k.a Way of the Dragon
Streaming FREE on PLUTO and on Black Belt Magazine
The Way of the Dragon, originally released in the United States as Return of the Dragon, is a 1972 Hong Kong martial arts action comedy film that showcases Bruce Lee's multifaceted talent as its co-producer, director, and star. This film is unique as it is Lee's only complete directorial work and the last film released during his lifetime. The cast includes Nora Miao, Robert Wall, Wei Ping-ou, and Chuck Norris in his debut screen role.
Set primarily in a restaurant in Rome, the story revolves around Tang Lung (Bruce Lee), a young martial artist who travels from Hong Kong to Italy to assist his cousins. The family-owned restaurant is under siege from a local crime boss who is determined to force them into selling their property. The relentless harassment prompts them to seek help from their skilled relatives.
One of the film's most poignant scenes occurs in the back alley of the restaurant, where Bruce Lee takes on a group of thugs. In this scene, he demonstrates an impressive display of weapons and empty-hand fighting techniques, including the bo staff, escrima sticks, and the nunchaku. This moment not only showcased Lee's martial arts expertise but also established him as a hero who stood up to bullies, solidifying his status as a new kind of action film star.
In a climactic showdown, the syndicate hires Colt (Chuck Norris), an American martial artist. The final battle between Tang and Colt takes place in the iconic Colosseum of Rome, marking one of the most memorable fight scenes in martial arts cinema.
Watch Enter the Dragon
Streaming on Amazon Prime, YouTube & Apple TV
Enter the Dragon is a 1973 martial arts film directed by Robert Clouse and written by Michael Allin. Starring Bruce Lee, John Saxon, and Jim Kelly, this film marks Lee's final completed appearance before his untimely death on July 20, 1973, at the age of 32. An American-Hong Kong co-production, Enter the Dragon premiered in Los Angeles on August 19, 1973, just one month after Lee's passing.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest martial arts films of all time, Enter the Dragon was among the first to blend martial arts action with spy film elements and the emerging blaxploitation genre. Its immense success spurred a series of similar productions, merging martial arts and blaxploitation themes. Additionally, the film is celebrated as one of the most influential action movies ever made, significantly boosting mainstream global interest in martial arts and inspiring a multitude of fictional works, including action films, television shows, video games, comic books, manga, and anime.
The story follows a Shaolin martial artist (Bruce Lee) who is recruited to infiltrate an island fortress. Disguised as a participant in a prestigious fighting tournament, he aims to gather intelligence on the island's ruler, an opium lord who is also a disgraced former monk from the Shaolin temple.
Enter the Dragon not only showcases Bruce Lee's extraordinary martial arts prowess but also his ability to elevate the action genre. The film's fusion of intense combat sequences, espionage intrigue, and cultural diversity broke new ground and left an indelible mark on cinema.
Lee's iconic performance and the film's innovative approach continue to resonate, cementing its status as a cornerstone of martial arts and action film history.
Watch Game of Death
Streaming FREE on Pluto
The Game of Death is an incomplete Hong Kong martial arts film, with portions filmed between September and October 1972. Directed, written, produced by, and starring Bruce Lee, this project was paused to accommodate the filming of Enter the Dragon. Over 120 minutes of footage were shot, much of which was misplaced in the Golden Harvest archives. The remaining footage has been released with Lee's original dialogue in the documentary Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey, primarily featuring the film's climax.
During the initial filming, Lee was offered a role in Enter the Dragon. Lee tragically died of cerebral edema before its release. At the time of his death, he planned to resume The Game of Death. Following his passing, Enter the Dragon director Robert Clouse completed the film using stand-ins, releasing it in 1978 as Game of Death.
The original plot involved Lee's character, Hai Tien, joining martial artists to save his siblings by retrieving a stolen Chinese national treasure from the top floor of a five-story pagoda in South Korea. Each floor was guarded by martial artists, including a notable fight with Danny Inosanto using the Nunchaku and Hapkido master, played by real-life Hapkido exponent Ji Han Jae. And his legendary fight scene with Abdul-Jabbar.
The film features Lee's iconic yellow-and-black jumpsuit, which became a cultural symbol. Despite mixed reviews, the revised film was commercially successful, grossing an estimated $50 million worldwide (equivalent to $230 million in 2024).
The Game of Death has had a significant cultural impact, inspiring numerous action films and video games. Its concept of ascending a tower while defeating enemies on each level and Lee's iconic jumpsuit and fight scenes have been frequently referenced in various media. Despite being unfinished, the film remains a testament to Bruce Lee's enduring influence and visionary approach to martial arts cinema.
Watch UFC Fight Night: Lemos vs Jandiroba
Live From UFC APEX In Las Vegas, Nevada On July 20, 2024
The UFC is back in Las Vegas for a quick stop at the APEX before heading to Manchester, featuring an exciting 12-fight card headlined by a crucial strawweight matchup. Catch all the action of UFC Fight Night: Lemos vs. Jandiroba live from UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prelims start at 5pm ET/2pm PT, with the main card kicking off on ESPN & ESPN+ at 8pm ET/5pm PT.
Watch Glory 93: Semeleer vs Beztati
Live From Topsportcentrum in Rotterdam, Netherlands On July 20, 2024
The card is headlined with two superfights as former GLORY world champion Endy Semeleer (36-2, 18 KO) welcomes current GLORY lightweight world champion Tyjani Beztati (26-4, 9 KO) up to welterweight for the first time in the main event and reigning GLORY featherweight world champion Petch (169-40-3, 27 KO) goes head-to-head with RISE national champion Kento Haraguchi (25-3-1, 14 KO) in the co-main event.
Watch Cage Warriors, London + PrizeFighter Tournament
LIVE on UFC Fight Pass
It's fight week in London! Cage Warriors 174 returns to the capital with a stacked card and the first of our $50,000 PrizeFighter tournaments!
