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Jason Scott Lee, Lauren Holly, Robert Wagner, Michael Learned, Nancy Kwan ... see more see more... , Kay Tong Lim , Sterling Macer , Ric Young , Sven Ole Thorsen , Aki Aleong , Calvin Bartlett , Eric Bruskotter , Chao Li Chi , Clyde Kusatsu , Michael Cudlitz , Mireille Franchino , Paul Mantee , Philippe Morier-Genoud , Jonathan Penner , Paul Raci , Lala Sloatman , Forry Smith , Jan Solomita , Harry Stanback , Louis Turenne , John Cheung , Rob Cohen , Robert Garrett , John Lacy , Jean Lescto , Jane Jenkins , Janet Hirshenson , Julien Collet , Marion Cotillard , Hélène Médigue , Marie Pailhes , Sean Faro , Van Williams , Wang Luoyong , Sven-Ole Thorsen

The brief but eventful life of actor and martial arts trailblazer Bruce Lee is portrayed in this drama, based on a biography written by his widow Linda Lee Caldwell. Lee is introduced to the study of ... read more read more...martial arts as a child living in Hong Kong by his father (Ric Young); the father dreamed that a demonic armored dragon would take his son from him, and wanted young Bruce to be able to protect himself. Bruce continues his training as he grows to adulthood, and after the cocky teenaged Lee (Jason Scott Lee, no relation to Bruce) seriously injures a prominent British citizen while fighting a gang of troublemakers at a dance, he's sent to San Francisco. While working as a dishwasher, Bruce begins to study philosophy, and in time develops a personal martial arts discipline, Jeet Kune-Do, which blends Kung Fu fighting techniques with lessons gained from his philosophical research. Bruce decides to open a martial arts academy on the advice of his fiancée Linda (Lauren Holly); Linda and Bruce encounter resistance as a mixed-race couple, especially from Linda's mother Vivian (Michael Learned), and Bruce earns the enmity of traditional Chinese martial arts experts for his new style. But after a strong showing in several public tournaments, Bruce's fighting skill and charisma attracts the attention of TV producer Bill Krieger (Robert Wagner). Bruce is cast as Kato, the karate-trained sidekick on the series The Green Hornet, and while the show is short-lived in America, it's a huge success in Asia, leading to a series of films based around Bruce's remarkable fighting skills. Sadly, shortly before the release of the film that would make him a major screen star in the United States, Enter The Dragon, a mysterious brain disorder sends Lee into a coma that soon kills him. In a tragedy with eerie timing, Bruce Lee's real-life son Brandon Lee died shortly before this film was released, the result of an accidental shooting while completing the picture The Crow. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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75% liked it

56,312 ratings

Critics

83% liked it

18 critics

PG-13, 2 hr.

Directed by: Rob Cohen

Release Date: May 7, 1993

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DVD Release Date: November 2, 2000

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Stats: 1,781 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,781)

  • deano
    May 25, 2011
    deano
    I'm a such fan of Bruce Lee since 1973's Enter the Dragon and really interested to watch the biography of the legendary martial artist star at the first time.
    Jason Scott Lee (no relation) is impressive as Bruce Lee and he successfully captures his mannerisms, attitude an... read mored even his fighting style, extremely convincingly. He trained the art of Jeet Kun Do by one of Bruce Lee's real-life students. And Lee and Lauren Holly, as Bruce's wife Linda, share a remarkable chemistry together and are certainly a credit to their subjects.
    Director Rob Cohen does his best work with this film showing that he could easily direct fight scenes and able that he could balance it out with personal drama.
    Check out Bruce Lee's daughter, Shannon, appeared cameo in this biography film as a singer. Originally Bruce's son, Brandon, was offered the part of his father in this, but declined and unfortunately later died before this film was completed. And I'm very pleased to see at the end of credit sending the regret of Brandon's death during the same year while this film released.
  • 76Majikat
    September 10, 2010
    76Majikat
    The Biopic of Bruce Lee's life. The inspiring, strong willed man, whose mind, body, soul and strength led him to become the huge legend he is known as today.

    A truly great portrayal by Jason Scott Lee as Bruce Lee in the film, who fit the role, so well physcially.

    The stor... read morey reveals a true insight into the prejudice surrounding the combined cultures during the era and the strength of Bruce and Linda's relationship through their time together.

    A man who united people boyond traditions.
  • SirPant
    September 25, 2009
    SirPant
    Jason Scott Lee does Bruce proud but It?s all bollocks!
  • rezpatriot
    March 2, 2008
    rezpatriot
    Biographical story of Bruce Lee the famous martial arts Hollywood star. In depth and great soundtrack
  • superclerk25
    July 11, 2007
    superclerk25
    I liked it. It was well made and the cast was cool. I liked how they put in the "curse" he lived with and to see his history was pretty neat.
  • Deano78
    June 24, 2007
    Deano78
    A good biography of the martial arts master, even though it has a made for TV movie feel to it.
  • shortcartoonist
    November 15, 2006
    shortcartoonist
    Brilliant, breathtaking, inspiring. A good look into the life of Bruce Lee that, while having it's points of inaccuracy, makes for a fitting tribute to the man portrayed in a superb film. The casting of the film was done very well, Jason Scott Lee plays the tenacity and caressing... read more sides of Bruce with the justice that is deserved with a fantastic array of support casting. A worthy note to mention about this film comes in it's musical composition. Here, Randy Edelman has created a score that fits perfectly with the scenes of the film and even outside of the film, the score can be seen a true stand out. For him to be snubbed by the Academy is an insult. What truly makes this film so great is how it infuses the elements of making a film that focuses on conveying meanings and themes to the audience, while also bringing a high level of entertainment, allowing the viewing demographic to be much larger. The main themes of racial tendencies during this time are clearly highlighted and it is through this that we, the audience, feel true compassion for the character on screen.
  • xxdebxx
    May 24, 2011
    xxdebxx
    A dramatic biography about martial arts legend Bruce Lee (played by Jason Scott Lee *no relation*) who trains in Hong Kong and goes to America overcoming every obstacle from racism to rejection from his own people, to opening his Kung-Fu school, getting married and having kids. L... read moreee's life is a touching tale depicting the struggle against a family curse of their sons dying young. It is said that the naming of Bruce Lee as Little Dragon -- Xiao Loong -- by his parents was sacrilegious and offended the gods (because Gods were also referred as Dragons in Chinese mythology). The release of Dragon and the retelling of the Chinese curse were given even greater poignancy and disquiet as they coincided with the death of Brandon Lee, Bruce's only son, while filming the Crow. Both father and son died at the threshold of breaking through in their careers. Lauren Holly is competent as the devoted wife Linda Lee's who stands by her man (but then again this is based on her own biography of Lee and actually co-written by her and no doubt she clearly wants to portray him in a positive light.)

    The movie depicts Bruce Lee's day to day trials and his own style, Jeet Kune Do including the incredulous reaction on the set of 'Green Hornet' the first time he did the role as sidekick Kato to his groundbreaking success in movies like The Big Boss and Enter the Dragon. How he led a life of fullness until it was short circuited at the tender age of 32.

    Dragon the Bruce Lee story may not be completely accurate and Jason Scott Lee is no Bruce Lee; he is physically too big to portray him. Bruce wasn't buff like him. Bruce was lean but still very muscular and extremely chiseled. Nevertheless this was a very inspirational story of a man who simply wanted to show others "the beauty of his culture" and I really enjoyed it. I saw Bruce Lee as an Idol and I choose to see him as a hero.
  • Chosen718
    January 7, 2009
    Chosen718
    Good for a made-for-tv movie. Great performance by Jason Scott Lee. Good supporting performance by Lauren Holly.
  • jimbotender
    December 31, 2008
    jimbotender
    Great idea of a biopic in memory of a martial arts master (acting skills of Elvis Presley though),still it just needed a touch of spice more.A series of photographic life images won't hold up to the test of time.

View All Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story Reviews

Critic Reviews

Cole Smithey
December 9, 2007
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

Really very good.

Douglas Pratt
June 14, 2007
Douglas Pratt, DVDLaser

The engaging dramatic biography celebrates Bruce Lee's spirit using a rough outline of his career as a narrative guide.

Emanuel Levy
June 18, 2006
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Though enjoybale, this old-fashioned biopic of the late Asian star, suffers from sappy sentimentality and excessive melodramatics. Full Review

Clint Morris
May 12, 2005
Clint Morris, Moviehole

An enjoyable, touching motion picture

Michael Dequina
January 2, 2004
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

Despite a number of corny moments, the film is an enjoyable and exciting celebration of a memorable life and career. Full Review

Owen Gleiberman
September 7, 2011
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

Leonard Klady
March 26, 2009
Leonard Klady, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Peter Travers
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

No review available.

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

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