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Bruce Lee, Maria Yi, Nora Miao, James Tien, Han Ying Chieh ... see more see more... , Mao Ker Hsiu , Robert Baker , Tony Liu , Malalene , Li Quinn , Paul Tien , Ching-Ying Lam , Chin Shan , Li Hua Sze , Miao Ke Hsiu , Kam Shan

Martial arts master Bruce Lee solidifies his standing as one of the great action stars in Fists of Fury, the story of a Chinese country boy (Lee) sent to live in Thailand with his uncle and cousins. A... read more read more...round his neck is a charm representing his promise to his mother not to fight, a promise which is repeatedly tested when he goes to work in the local icehouse for an abusive overseer and prejudiced natives. When some of his cousins are killed after discovering the icehouse is actually a front for a heroin-smuggling operation, Lee sets out to exact revenge and eventually has a showdown with the Japanese crimelord behind the entire scheme (Han Ying Chieh). Lee's physical gifts are undeniable; the blinding speed of his fists and feet must be seen to be believed. The film was originally released in Asia as The Big Boss. Bad guys beware when that charm comes off! ~ Jeremy Beday, Rovi

Flixster Users

77% liked it

28,242 ratings

Critics

60% liked it

10 critics

R, 1 hr. 43 min.

Directed by: Wei Lo

Release Date: April 1, 1972

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DVD Release Date: December 13, 2005

Stats: 886 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (886)


  • May 30, 2011
    This is my second favourite Bruce Lee's movies as his first starring role in this martial arts-action film and he was a very charming actor whose presence filled the screen and owned it completely. That statement is proved here as we see him not as a killing machine, but as a com... read moremon man who just wants to live peacefully, giving us many scenes of Cheng Chao-an (played by Lee) enjoying his new found family and struggling with his own vices. Lee's performance is very natural although one could say that he was basically playing himself. The rest of the cast ranges from average to OK, with James Tien, Quin Lee and Malalene being the best among them.
    The action is pretty good and I like the fight scenes of Bruce Lee against the evil Big Boss's factory workers at the ice factory - superb!
  • April 13, 2011
    My personal favourite Bruce Lee movie. Violent and vicious and very entertaining with a memorable performance by the Kung-Fu legend himself who restrains from violent confrontation for the first half hour due to a promise made to his mother, but when intimidation gets too much Br... read moreuce unleashes a whirlwind of kicks, punches and bladed weapons on his foes.
  • October 15, 2009
    Throughout this film you see a constrained Bruce Lee. Lo Wei is deliberately holding him back in order to introduce him to audiences and to save the best of his fighting for the second film. What we see here is a humane Bruce Lee who has feelings, a sense of humour, enjoys sex an... read mored is in control of his temper. He strikes up a good friendship with Shu Sheng who life is eventually claimed by the antagonists. When Bruce witnesses the mistreatment of his family in the workplace, he still holds back. Until...they break his necklace. At that moment, he explodes into action with centrifugal force, picking off each opponent with pin-point accurate kicks. It is a work of art that is akin to 'Samson and Delilah'.
  • December 25, 2008
    "Beat it or I'll kill you right now"

    A low-budget smash hit that made Bruce Lee the action legend we know.

    It may have been a hit in its production year but it has not lasted time that well. The fight scenes without Bruce Lee are just plain boring but damn when Mr Lee starts k... read moreicking ass... Good stuff. His charisma saves this movie from failing totally.

    The basic story is interesting but the lines that come from the mouths of 'em are just silly. The acting is also throughout the movie bad, almost horrible.

    On the positive side, this is the start of the legend. Ok, he has done some stuff before "The Big Boss" but this movie made him The martial arts God we know.
  • March 20, 2008
    Why do we like Bruce Lee movies...? Is it for the sophisticated plotting and intelligent, well-dubbed dialogue? Is it for the complex and in-depth characterisation? Of course not. So when I tell you that the basic premise for this story is a promise Bruce made to his mother NOT t... read moreo fight, can you see the flaw in whole concept?! Of course he finally is "forced" to fight, but Destry Rides Again it ain't. When Bruce finally gets his freak on, he is as magnificent as always but you have to wade through a hell of a lot of cornball and inept movie making to get there, including sound effects that sound like someone playing squash with a cricket bat in a bowling alley every time fist meets flesh and a soundtrack like something out of a 70s game show. Unless you are a fan of "kitsch" (ie watching rubbish films because they are "funny") I would fast forward to the last 15 minutes, because they are the only part of the film worth watching. But DAMN he's good...
  • February 5, 2008
    Bruce Lee greatness.
  • November 21, 2006
    Bruce Lee kicks ass. If the John Wayne-like dubbing turns you off the fight scenes will make up for it.
  • July 25, 2006
    Bruce's first movie - and one of the best!
  • May 19, 2006
    Known as "The Big Boss" to Chinese audiences Fists of Fury was the first feature length film starring Bruce Lee that catapulted him to stardom. While this wasn't the global boost that Bruce Lee achieved (that was Enter the Dragon) this was the film that made Bruce a household nam... read moree for Asian audiences of the 1970's. A fairly weak plot and characters are evident throughout this but for it's revolutionising of Martial Arts in the film industry this gives the film some extra marks. If you are a fan of martial arts cinema of today, such as Jackie Chan or Jet Li films, then this is an absolute must see for you.
  • March 30, 2012
    Bruce Lee first role may not have been his best, but it made him a major star throughout Asia thanks to it. It might have aged well, but it still packs a punch.

    The Big Boss (or Fist of Fury) is about Bruce Lee playing a young man, sworn to an oath of non-violence, works with ... read morehis cousins in an ice factory where they mysteriously begin to disappear and force to break that oath. So first off, the story is slow as some scenes do drag on and we don't actually get to see Bruce Lee fight for a while as you need to sit through a good portion of the movie for that. Now there is one noticeable flaw in the script, how did none of the workers notice drugs in the ice if it's see through. Were the workers busy really to busy to notice that? Other than that it's original and well told story with great pacing and drama. We get allot of characters, though the love interest feels like it just there to satisfied people. As usual we get some of Bruce Lee famous philosophy and kick ass character. Overall the story is enjoyable with one minor plot hole that shouldn't distract audience from the main experience.

    Considering this is Bruce Lee first role I suggest you find a version that's not dubbed over to get the real experience. Like in every movie Lee has ever been in, he does a great job playing himself as he gracefully goes from dramatic actor to action star when he needs to. As for his fight scenes, they retain his classic appeal and the finale is still amazing to this day. As for the rest of the cast they didn't get my attention, but at-least they did there job well. One thing I'm sure audience will be mixed about is the music since this came out in the 70s so expect some weird music to play.

    The Big Boss (or Fist of Fury) is the legendary debut of Bruce Lee that would forever make him an icon around the world. If you're a fan of Bruce Lee, Martial Art, or good movies do yourself a favor and watch this.

Critic Reviews


Fernando F. Croce
February 6, 2010
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion

Crudely ingenious Full Review

Cole Smithey
March 20, 2008
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

The first R-rated movie I ever saw. My dad took me to see it in June, and Bruce Lee died in the next month.

Scott Weinberg
November 18, 2005
Scott Weinberg, DVD Clinic

It's Bruce vs. a whole army of lowlife thugs after they mess with his cousins, and Mr. Lee pulls off some truly amazing butt-kickery here. Full Review

Brian Mckay
March 18, 2003
Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com

Bad Kung Fu movies are like bad porn - still watchable with fast-forwarding. Full Review

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
September 19, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
March 27, 2004
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

No review available.

Robert Roten
March 11, 2003
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope

No review available.

Mark Palermo
January 27, 2003
Mark Palermo, Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia)

No review available.

Jeffrey Westhoff
August 22, 2002
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

No review available.

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