A young Asian-American martial artist is forced to participate in a brutal formal street-fighting competition.A young Asian-American martial artist is forced to participate in a brutal formal street-fighting competition.A young Asian-American martial artist is forced to participate in a brutal formal street-fighting competition.
- Awards
- 1 nomination
Kristine DeBell
- Nancy
- (as Kristine De Bell)
Pat E. Johnson
- Carl
- (as Pat Johnson)
Chao Li Chi
- Kwan
- (as Chao-Li Chi)
Peter Marc Jacobson
- Jug
- (as Peter Marc)
Marcus K. Mukai
- Robert
- (as Marcus Mukai)
Gene LeBell
- Stroke
- (as Gene La Bell)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe first time that the authentic voice of Jackie Chan was heard in a movie. All of Chan's prior Hong Kong movies had featured traditional dubbing of his voice for Cantonese and Mandarin releases. As a matter of fact, he wouldn't dub his own voice in a Hong Kong movie before Supercop (1992).
- GoofsThough the film is set in the 1930's, modern railroad freight cars not introduced until the 1970's are seen behind Jackie early into the film.
- Alternate versionsFor its original UK theatrical release the film was cut by the BBFC for a 'AA' certificate to remove groin kicks, a neck break and a double ear clap. The video and all later releases including the DVD (retitled "Battle Creek Brawl") have replicated the cut to the ear clap.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Tiswas: Episode #7.6 (1980)
Featured review
This Jackie Chan vehicle,his first attempt to break into the American market,generally has a bad reputation. Jackie himself hated myself the film,one of the reasons being that he had little to no control over the action. It was also a box office flop,despite it regrouping some of the team that made Enter The Dragon.
However,The Big Brawl is not all that bad. Indeed at first it seems that it does not at all deserve it's critics. Lalo Schifrin's main theme is exceptionally groovy,the 1030s Chicage setting is reasonably well evoked and there is one early fight scene,in which Jackie defeats three baddies seemingly by accident,that,although a little slow,does come across as being classic Jackie,combining fighting and slapstick typically well. As the film goes on it loses interest somewhat,especially as the final third is just Jackie fighting a bunch of wrestler types in the Big Brawl of the title. Nonetheless, if you don't expect much and/or have not seen many other of Chan's movie fights,they are fairly entertaining,as he defeats his opponents with his skill and agility, and despite the slow choreography,he does perform a few great moves and dangerous moments.
Elsewhere Mako is great fun as Jackie's uncle/teacher and his training scenes with Jackie are fun. It's also interesting to see Jackie in a supposedly sexual relationship with his girlfriend {something he normally shied away from}and here are also a few good laughs involving some inept gangsters. The Big Brawl is seriously flawed,but it really isn't bad. It's certainly better than The Protector!
However,The Big Brawl is not all that bad. Indeed at first it seems that it does not at all deserve it's critics. Lalo Schifrin's main theme is exceptionally groovy,the 1030s Chicage setting is reasonably well evoked and there is one early fight scene,in which Jackie defeats three baddies seemingly by accident,that,although a little slow,does come across as being classic Jackie,combining fighting and slapstick typically well. As the film goes on it loses interest somewhat,especially as the final third is just Jackie fighting a bunch of wrestler types in the Big Brawl of the title. Nonetheless, if you don't expect much and/or have not seen many other of Chan's movie fights,they are fairly entertaining,as he defeats his opponents with his skill and agility, and despite the slow choreography,he does perform a few great moves and dangerous moments.
Elsewhere Mako is great fun as Jackie's uncle/teacher and his training scenes with Jackie are fun. It's also interesting to see Jackie in a supposedly sexual relationship with his girlfriend {something he normally shied away from}and here are also a few good laughs involving some inept gangsters. The Big Brawl is seriously flawed,but it really isn't bad. It's certainly better than The Protector!
Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $8,527,743
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $1,108,025
- Sep 1, 1980
- Gross worldwide
- $8,527,743
- Runtime1 hour 35 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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