Even 43 years after his passing, not only does Bruce Lee continue stay relevant, he also gains more and more global popularity with each passing year – and 2016/2017 is definitely no exception. Between now and the next few months, brace yourself for a load of newly released Bruce Lee-releated features. If you’re a die hard fan, Bruce is about to attack and he’s aiming right for your wallet…
The Chinese Connection: 4K Collector’s Edition | Blu-ray (Shout! Factory)
Restored 4K versions of Bruce Lee’s films have just been released on Blu-ray in all-new 4K Ultra-HD remasters. Our favorite import retailer, DDDhouse.com, currently has Kam & Ronson’s Fist of Fury, The Big Boss, Game of Death and Way of The Dragon separately, or as a complete boxed set.
U.S. versions of these 4K remasters, from Shout! Factory, are also available: Fists of Fury (featuring an all-new commentary by The Big Boss-obsessed Brandon Bentley) and Chinese Connection were released last month. Shout! has released these as their original U.S. titles, but they will feature reversible sleeves with optional international artwork (Enter the Dragon will most likely not be released by Shout!, since Warner holds the film’s North American rights).
Update: Shout! has just announced 4K remasters of Way of the Dragon and Game of Death, which will be available later this year!
Tracking the Dragon | DVD (MVD Visual)
Note: If you’re not familiar with 4K digital technology restoration, here’s the breakdown: 4K has around four times more resolution than the common 1080p and produces a clearer picture. Technically, you’ll need a 4K TV and a 4K Blu-ray player to get the most out of 4K disc. However, the aforementioned titles are standard Blu-rays made from a 4K master, so you will not need a 4K Blu-ray player.
In addition to all the 4K news, MVD Visual has recently released a new, 100-minute Bruce Lee documentary on DVD titled Tracking the Dragon (read our review). Building on his earlier documentary, Pursuit of the Dragon, Bruce Lee expert John Little (A Warrior’s Journey) tracks down the actual locations of some of Bruce’s most iconic action scenes. Many of these sites remain largely unchanged nearly half a century later. At monasteries, ice factories, and on urban streets, Little explores the real life settings of Lee’s legendary career.
The Legend of Bruce Lee: Vol. 1
Last October saw the release of Well Go USA’s Ip Man Trilogy (non-steel book version) on Blu-ray. Although it’s not a direct Bruce Lee product, this award winning adaptation is based on the life of Ip Man (Donnie Yen), the grandmaster of Wing Chun and later teacher and mentor to Bruce, who makes an appearance (obviously by actors) in Ip Man 2-3. The set will contain all three Ip Man films.
Well Go USA also released the DVD for Legend of Bruce Lee: Volume One, a 2008 martial arts series that centers around the life of Bruce Lee (played by Danny Chan of Ip Man 3). The series features appearances by Gary Daniels (Tekken 2: Kazuya’s Revenge), Ray Park (Star Wars: Episode I), Micheal Jai White (Falcon Rising), Mark Dacascos (Drive) and many more. Legend of Bruce Lee: Volume Two will be available in April.
“Birth of the Dragon” Teaser Poster
Also, an upcoming Hollywood film about Bruce Lee titled Birth of the Dragon will be making its way to theaters later this year. This fable-based movie – directed by George Nolfi (The Adjustment Bureau) – will take a look at the life of legendary martial artist (portrayed by Philip Ng of Wild City), using Lee’s disputed bout with Master Wong Jack-Man (Yu Xia) as the centerpiece of the story.
Last but not least, Cinemax has given a pilot order for Warrior, a project based on unpublished writings by the late Bruce Lee, which were recently discovered by his daughter, Shannon Lee. Justin Lin (Star Trek Beyond, Finishing the Game) is attached to produce and possibly direct. Warrior will tell the story of a young martial arts prodigy, newly arrived from China, who finds himself caught up in the bloody Chinatown Tong wars. The story will be set against the backdrop of San Francisco’s Chinatown in the aftermath of the Civil War.
We’ll keep you updated on any Bruce Lee-related news as we hear more. As always, stay tuned!
The sooner these restorations work there way over to the US, the better… I’m getting impatient to see these new masters! I’m hoping the AFI Silver on the outskirts of Washington DC will snag them for a retrospective sometime.
I have them – they are amazing
Can you post a picture? Thanks!
Apparently this is going to be a regular bluray made from a 4K master, just like A Better Tomorrow. So, for those that want it you won’t need a 4K bluray player. Keep in mind if you’re a purist, they’re only supplying the 7.1 track and No original mono audio. How bad was the remix track for FOF cause for The Big Boss it made it unwatchable
Thanks for the info Mark. Updated the article.
Have been waiting a while for proper Bruce blu-rays to come our way.