The Big Boss

The Big Boss, released in the United States as Fists of Fury, was Bruce Lee's first leading film role as an adult, after his years on American television in The Green Hornet. Raymond Chow's Golden Harvest, then close to bankruptcy, signed him for two pictures. The script had been written for house star James Tien, and the original director, Wu Chia-hsiang, was replaced by Lo Wei a few days into the shoot. The story was moved to the present day to save on sets and costumes.

A tough shoot in Thailand

The crew spent about four weeks in Pak Chong, with further scenes in Bangkok, Phra Pradaeng and Hong Kong, on a budget of around $100,000. Lee cut his right hand on a glass (ten stitches) and sprained his ankle during the final fight, which had to be finished with close-ups. The fights were staged by Han Ying-chieh, who also plays the boss's enforcer.

What you will see

The film makes you wait for its hero: Cheng does not fight for a long stretch, and James Tien leads the early brawls. When Lee finally cuts loose in the ice factory, the contrast with the more theatrical swordplay films of the time is obvious: fast kicks, sharp footwork and hard strikes against several opponents. Lee reportedly found the kicks of some Thai stuntmen telegraphed. The trademarks of his later films are already there: restraint, then an explosion, and his signature cries.

A record breaker

In Hong Kong it took HK$3.2 million and broke the local record held by The Sound of Music, until Lee's next film, Fist of Fury, beat it. Worldwide grosses came close to $50 million. Reviews were mixed at the time, but this is the film that made Bruce Lee a star.