Gu xing xue lei

"Gu Xing Xue Lei" is odd because there also is an IMDb page for "Bruce Lee: An Orphan's Tragedy"--even thought it's the same movie. I have no idea why this is the case.

This film is a Chinese version of Dickens' famous story "Great Expectations" and if you've read the story, then it's pretty obvious that it inspired the film.

The movie begins with a young boy being adopted by a nice peasant. In the next scene, the boy has grown and appears about 12. When a prisoner escapes and is being sought by the police, the boy, Frank (Lee Jun Fan--known later as Bruce Lee), helps the escapee. This convict eventually realizes that the boy is his son but he doesn't tell him. Later, the guy gets a job in another city and secretly saves up to send the boy to college so that he can become a doctor-- just like he was. It turns out that the convict was set up by the evil rich guy, Mr. Toh. Oddly, however, Frank comes to believe that Toh is his benefactor-- and Toh and his wicked daughter plan on taking advantage of that.

The film is a reasonably interesting slant on the Dickens story set in contemporary China. The acting is good and the story well worth seeing--especially so you can see the young Bruce Lee. The only negative is that the film is a bit overly moralistic in places and even features a song that is meant to indoctrinate the audience in the proper virtues!

Gu xing xue lei (1955) is a decidedly peculiar adaptation of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations, yet I'll concede that it surpasses many other attempts to bring this classic tale to the screen.

Bruce Lee, once again, delivers a standout performance. And I'm not just saying he's good; he's exceptional. In his 45 minutes of screen time, the 14-year-old Lee practically gives a masterclass in acting, outshining the rest of the cast with his charisma and intensity. In fact, once Lee's character exits the story, the film loses momentum and struggles to maintain its appeal.

It's a testament to Lee's talent that he manages to elevate a somewhat uneven adaptation with his sheer presence. His portrayal of the young protagonist, navigating the complexities of love, ambition, and social expectations, is both nuanced and captivating. He embodies the character's youthful idealism and inner turmoil with a maturity that belies his age.

While the film's overall narrative might not be as tightly woven as Dickens' original work, it does offer some intriguing deviations and cultural nuances. The setting of 1950s Hong Kong adds a unique flavor to the story, and the film's visual style, with its noir-ish lighting and atmospheric cinematography, creates a sense of intrigue and suspense.

Gu xing xue lei may not be a perfect film, but it's a fascinating curiosity for fans of Bruce Lee and those interested in cross-cultural adaptations. It's a reminder of Lee's early talent and his ability to transcend genre and cultural boundaries. While the film may falter in some aspects, Lee's performance alone makes it worth watching. He's a force of nature, a young actor with the potential to become a legend. And as we know, that potential would soon be realized on a global scale.

"Gu Xing Xue Lei" is odd because there also is an IMDb page for "Bruce Lee: An Orphan's Tragedy"--even thought it's the same movie. I have no idea why this is the case.

This film is a Chinese version of Dickens' famous story "Great Expectations" and if you've read the story, then it's pretty obvious that it inspired the film.

The movie begins with a young boy being adopted by a nice peasant. In the next scene, the boy has grown and appears about 12. When a prisoner escapes and is being sought by the police, the boy, Frank (Lee Jun Fan--known later as Bruce Lee), helps the escapee. This convict eventually realizes that the boy is his son but he doesn't tell him. Later, the guy gets a job in another city and secretly saves up to send the boy to college so that he can become a doctor-- just like he was. It turns out that the convict was set up by the evil rich guy, Mr. Toh. Oddly, however, Frank comes to believe that Toh is his benefactor-- and Toh and his wicked daughter plan on taking advantage of that.

The film is a reasonably interesting slant on the Dickens story set in contemporary China. The acting is good and the story well worth seeing--especially so you can see the young Bruce Lee. The only negative is that the film is a bit overly moralistic in places and even features a song that is meant to indoctrinate the audience in the proper virtues!