Despite only having a short stint as a kung fu movie star, Bruce Lee had a tremendous impact on the genre, one that steered the direction of so many Hong Kong movie studios for years.
For filmmakers, there was a lot to learn from Bruce Lee’s martial arts movies, but some did more than take inspiration from the fighting in his films; a sizable number copied them directly through a strategy now commonly known as Bruceploitation.
Movies associated with the Bruceploitation era typically starred actors with stage names similar to Bruce Lee’s, so much so that the difference sometimes only came down to the spelling. This approach also extended to the stars’ physical appearances, as several actors were cast based on their resemblances to Lee.
Unsurprisingly, this unapologetic effort to capitalize on Bruce Lee’s popularity certainly received its share of scrutiny. However, that’s not to say that Bruceploitation movies weren’t entertaining.
5. New Fist Of Fury
Interestingly, Jackie Chan was once of the many actors eyed to become the next Bruce Lee. To this end, he was cast in New Fist of Fury, a movie that retreads the same Chinese vs. Japanese plot from Fist of Fury.
Because the film came before Chan developed his own unique image, New Fist of Fury features none of the actor’s trademark comedy, it does carry the feel of a true Jackie Chan movie. However, its fight sequences prove his capabilities as a martial arts actor.
4. Bruce’s Deadly Fingers
Released in 1976, Bruce’s Deadly Fingers starred Bruce Le, one of the faces of the Bruceploitation movement. The film put Le in the role of a man who has to save the ex-girlfriend of the late Bruce Lee after she’s kidnapped by criminals.
Perhaps intentionally, the actress cast for the part of Lee’s ex-girlfriend was Nora Miao, who had acted opposite Lee twice. Further boosting its star power is the inclusion of villain icons Lo Lieh and Bolo Yeung, who previously appeared in Enter the Dragon with the real Bruce Lee.
3. Challenge Of The Tiger
Bruce Le added to his list of Bruceploitation epics in 1980 when he made Challenge of the Tiger, a modern-day, buddy cop kung fu movie. Teaming Le with Richard Harrison, Challenge of the Tiger is a story about two CIA agents going up against a spy ring.
The film has plenty of wild, unorthodox moments, not the least of which is an action sequence with a bull, but it still holds some degree of popularity with kung fu movie fans.
2. Clones of Bruce Lee
Clones of Bruce Lee is essentially “The Avengers” of the Bruceploitation era. True to its title, it features a handful of Bruce Lee “clones.” In the 1980 film, Dragon Lee, Bruce Le, and Bruce Lai come together for an action-packed adventure that sees them play literal clones of the Dragon.
The story makes little narrative sense and is over-the-top with its use of science fiction elements, but the team-up of Bruceploitation actors and the martial arts choreography make it worth watching, even if it can’t be taken seriously.
1. The Three Avengers
Also known as The Lama Avenger, The Three Avengers is less explicit in its Bruce Lee connections than most Bruceploitation films, but still leans heavily on the actor’s likeness. Bruce Li stars in the 1979 film, which revolves around two acrobats who open up a kung fu school and get embroiled in a fight with a group of thugs.
It features an abundance of action, including an intense, three-on-one slugfest at the end.
