THE IMAGE OF BRUCE LEE
- AKA: Storming Attacks
- Year: 1978
- Run Time: 88 mins/ 90 mins/ 91 mins
- Director: Yueng Kuen (aka Richard Yeung Kuen)
- Producer: Alex Gouw
- Martial Arts Choreography: Sham Chin Bo
- Starring: Bruce Li - Dragon (Special Squad Leader), Yin Chieh Han (aka Han Ying Chieh) - Han Ting Lung, Dana (aka Danna aka Dana Lei) - Donna (Agent Seven), Chang Lei - Inspector “Moustache” Wang, Bolo Yeung - Kimura, John Cheung - Steven (Han’s son), Chang Wu Lang, Steven Han, Fung Ging Man, Ho Pak Kwong, Yat Boon Chai, Sham Chin Bo, Lai Kim Hung, Chan Ling Wai, Hon Yee Sang, Lam Man Wai
Description (DVD): Bruce Li is an undercover agent sent to unravel a counterfeit operation run by Yin Chieh Han (FIST OF FURY) and Bolo Young (ENTER THE DRAGON). Bruce Li shines as an actor, and dazzles the audience with an incredible display of martial arts talent in this violent film.
Comments/Critique: The structure of the film is disjointed at first as Bruce Li, or ‘Dragon’, tries to save a man who’s threatening to commit suicide. At first I was giving the plot a chance e.g. there could be a number of plausible reasons why Li climbs up a rope at the front of the building instead of taking the stairs.
My particular copy of the film was poor in quality in a number of places which was frustrating.
It was good to see the classic ‘GAME OF DEATH’ slide show scene that features in many a Bruceploitation film. Of course there is also the very significant appearance in this film of Bolo (ENTER THE DRAGON) who, actually strikes me as a good actor. Plus the film also stars Yin Chieh Han (BIG BOSS). ’Image Of Bruce Lee’ also features other common aspects of the Bruceploitation films e.g. Bruce Lee style sunglasses and two colour tracksuits (yellow and black).
What lets ’IMAGE OF BRUCE LEE’ down is numerous elements of crappy plot (un-needed), and the film’s ‘cheesy’ elements.
Clearly the best fights of the film are between Bruce Li and Bolo. There’s also the classic ’one against many’ dojo scene. It’s these fight scenes that reprise the film, a little.
The actress who plays Donna (Dana) seems to enjoy being nude. Maybe she’s actually a nudist in real life and asked if nudity could be written into her film contract? Having read other reviewers articles concerning ’The Image Of Bruce Lee’ from all over the internet, the majority seem to have un/consciously made Dana’s nudity the focal point (if not the essence in some cases) of their reviews.
During the course of the film Li poses as a cab driver in a similar role to that of ’DYNAMO’.
There was an interesting twist nearing the end of the film where Donna is revealed to be ’Special Agent Seven’. I think it’s also very obvious that the people behind ’IMAGE OF BRUCE LEE’ had ’BIG BOSS’ in mind when they made the final fighting sequence/s of the film, with many-a slow motion flying kick. However the end fighting scenes were too long-winded and lost my attention.
I personally see ‘THE IMAGE OF BRUCE LEE’ as a Bruceploitation ’buddy movie’, the like of which Jackie Chan has capitalised upon in recent years. However, ultimately; ’IMAGE OF BRUCE LEE’ doesn’t meet it’s potential and it’s of little wonder that I couldn’t find the name of the film’s writer for this review.
Review by: Tame.
