Bruce Lee films get individual releases from 20th Century Fox

Four of the legendary martial arts master Bruce Lee’s most popular films; Fists of Fury, Return of the Dragon, Chinese Connection, and Game of Death have only been available from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment as part of a rather expensive box set. Now all four films will be released individually for the first time.

Having made a vow never to fight again, a factory worker named Cheng (Bruce Lee) does his best to put up with an abusive boss in “Fists of Fury”. But when Cheng’s beautiful cousin is kidnapped by the company thugs, Cheng is forced to take matters into his own hands – and fists – to save her.

“Chinese Connection” unfolds in the China of 1908, where respecting one’s teacher is a sign of breeding, and avenging his murder a sacred duty. When a martial arts master learns his reverend kung fu instructor has been murdered, his shock turns to disbelief, then to anger. Determined to wrest vengeance from thegang responsible, he travels to Shanghai to hunt down the killers — and ends up facing some of his most dangerous opponents.

“Return of the Dragon” features Lee as a young man called to Rome to help a family friend whose restaurant is being targeted by local gangsters. Used to getting their own way, these ruthless men make the mistake of underestimating the young man’s ingenuity. When they are unable to get rid of him, they call in an international martial arts champion (Chuck Norris), creating the ultimate clash of kung fu masters in the ancient city’s majestic Coliseum.

In his final film, “Game Of Death,” Bruce Lee is Billy Lo, a young kung-fu movie star with a flourishing career and a promising future. As the leader of a syndicate known for its exploitation of entertainers, Dr. Land jumps at the chance to capitalize on Billy’s celebrated status and that of his singer-girlfriend Ann. Refusing to sing with Land, Billy’s martial arts mastery is put to the test when he is brutally harassed by Land’s men in an attempt to change his mind. In a stunning showdown, Billy goes one on one with a villainous stream of deadly kung-fu fighters in a final bid for his freedom.

The discs in the original box set, although presented in their original widescreen ratios, were featurless, allowing all supplemental material to be placed on a fifth disc entitled “Bruce Lee: The Legend”. Unfortunately, the new discs are exactly the same as their predecessors, and the fifth disc will not be made available for individual sale. Also, it appears that the box set will be re-released on the same date without the fifth disc.

All four DVDs will be available on July 3rd, and will be priced at $19.98 each.

Leave a comment