Many films tried to capitalize on the popularity of the late, great Bruce Lee.
Here are our 10 favorites…
1973 was the year that kung fu broke in America.
His image was inescapable, adorning all manner of merchandise and plastering teenage bedrooms worldwide.
More than that, it just wasnt fair.
Here was a filmmaker about to hit the absolute top of his game.
All those years of rejected Hollywood pitches and, finally, he was Americas hero.
What could be done?
There was only one thing for it.
Send in the clones.
Arguably these started out as exploitative trash, cashing in on a mans name in outrageous and tasteless ways.
Bolo Yeung, Dan Inosanto, Wei Ping Ou) would appear in Bruceploitation as well.
promises the poster of this sincere but preposterous Bruce Lee biopic/fanfic.
to prove that his Chinese kung fu is the best.
The fightings not too shabby either.
One of the better entry points for anyone new to Bruceploitation.
He has a secret formula that can turn men into metal and creates an army of invincible bronze men!
The three cloned Bruces must then team up if humanity has any hope for survival.
Its hard not to love this.
), theres a ton of dirty fighting, gratuitous nudity, and endlessly quotable dialogue.
My favorite lines include Dr Nais proclamation Ill make an army of bronze men!
THAT will surprise the world!
he screws up his face and declares solemnly, This sounds like the work of the SBI…
I enjoyed it immensely.
Of all the Bruces, you could rely on Le to be the strangest.
Unfortunately, things are not well in the Underworld.
If that plot appeals to you, you wont care about any of this films flaws.
Theres a vicious subtext as well; a satirical assault on the west that continually rejected Bruce.
Surely even he could crack a smile at some of the first class nonsense in here.
Honestly, you have to see this to believe it even exists.
The plot involves a stolen vase thats smuggled around various countries by a bad dude called Nifty.
But who will get there first?
and is full of surprises as a result.
The cast is fantastic.
), a cool motorcycle chase and all the martial arts on display are dirty, brutal and old-school.
The final Eagle Claw fight by the sea is a classic.
He urges Li to avenge his death should anything happen.
This audacious and baffling plot succeeds through the energy and style of its execution.
Theres almost no plot inEnter The Fat Dragon.
Its easy to see, even from this early film, Hungs unique and brilliant talent emerging.
About five minutes later, Bruce is kung fu fighting a bull (an actual… live… and it only gets nuttier from there.
Challenge Of The Tigeris one of most vulgar, crass and dirty martial arts movies Ive ever seen.
The Chinese Stuntmanis, without any competition, Lis masterpiece.
Its got a strong plot with actual twists and characters you care about.
The postmodern aspect of the film is way ahead of its time.
From the clever thematic subtexts (e.g.
Its witty, perceptive and cleverly executed.
Sadly, it was to be Lis final film.
Still, as swansongs go, this is an impressive full stop and says all it needs to say.
YetGame Of Death while nothing like Bruces original vision is a great movie in its own right.
The photography is stylish and there are some gorgeous neon street controls.
We even get the obligatory Bruce Lee funeral stock footage thrown in for good measure.
Of course, where this really wins out over its peers is the use of Bruces originalGame Of Deathfootage.
It is pure magic.
This article originally appeared onDen of Geek UKon July 7th, 2015.
