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IMDbPro

I Am Bruce Lee

  • TV Movie
  • 2012
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
4K
YOUR RATING
Bruce Lee in I Am Bruce Lee (2012)
Today's athletes, entertainers, filmmakers, and others describe the powerful legacy of Bruce Lee.
Play trailer1:29
1 Video
70 Photos
BiographyDocumentary

Bruce Lee is universally recognized as the pioneer who elevated martial arts in film to an art form, and this documentary will reveal why Bruce Lee's flame burns brighter now than the day he... Read allBruce Lee is universally recognized as the pioneer who elevated martial arts in film to an art form, and this documentary will reveal why Bruce Lee's flame burns brighter now than the day he died over three decades ago.Bruce Lee is universally recognized as the pioneer who elevated martial arts in film to an art form, and this documentary will reveal why Bruce Lee's flame burns brighter now than the day he died over three decades ago.

  • Director
    • Pete McCormack
  • Writer
    • Pete McCormack
  • Stars
    • Bruce Lee
    • Paul Bowman
    • Daniele Bolelli
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.4/10
    4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Pete McCormack
    • Writer
      • Pete McCormack
    • Stars
      • Bruce Lee
      • Paul Bowman
      • Daniele Bolelli
    • 19User reviews
    • 27Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 5 nominations total

    Videos1

    BL Trailer
    Trailer 1:29
    BL Trailer

    Photos69

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 66
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    Top cast52

    Edit
    Bruce Lee
    Bruce Lee
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    • …
    Paul Bowman
    • Self - Author, Ph.D
    Daniele Bolelli
    • Self - Martial Artist
    Richard Bustillo
    • Self - Martial Artist
    Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
    Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
    • Hakim (segment of Game of Death)
    • (archive footage)
    Muhammad Ali
    Muhammad Ali
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Robert Baker
    • Petrov (segment Fist of Fury)
    • (archive footage)
    Jon T. Benn
    • Thugs Boss (segment Way of the Dragon)
    • (archive footage)
    Pierre Berton
    • Self - Interviewing Bruce Lee (segment Bruce Lee - The Lost Interview)
    • (archive footage)
    • (as Pierre Barton)
    Stephan Bonnar
    Stephan Bonnar
    • Self
    J.J. Brine
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Kobe Bryant
    Kobe Bryant
    • Self
    Linda Lee Cadwell
    Linda Lee Cadwell
    • Self
    Gina Carano
    Gina Carano
    • Self
    Robert Clouse
    • Self - on set of Enter the Dragon
    • (archive footage)
    James Coburn
    James Coburn
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Bernard Cowan
    • announcer, Pierre Berton Show
    • (archive footage)
    Clint Eastwood
    Clint Eastwood
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    • Director
      • Pete McCormack
    • Writer
      • Pete McCormack
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews19

    7.44K
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    10

    Featured reviews

    7scott_thai

    Good, but nothing new.

    Just been to see this at my local cinema. I've been a fan of Bruce Lee all my life. I've read almost every book, every documentary and seen all his films at least 6 times. Nothing new about Lee's life was revealed in this documentary. It was just old stuff repeated with the views of modern MMA fighters and film actors talking about how Lee inspired them.

    The only poignant moment for me was hearing Dan Inosanto speak so fondly of Lee and clearly how upset he is by Lee's death.

    If you are new to Bruce Lee and a fan of MMA then you will enjoy this. Otherwise nothing new or revealing to be found in this new documentary.
    kentrel

    A terrible documentary

    Please just go out and get a well reviewed biography instead. Fighting Spirit by Bruce Howard is my favourite, but get a few for a more complete picture.

    This documentary is done in the style of those "Review of the Year" type shows where they have multiple Z list celebrities who give their two-cents, that nobody cares about. They have no expert opinion, and have nothing to add other than fanboy enthusiasm. The whole way through there's a cheesy soundtrack, just in case you get bored. There are lots of clips of the Z list celebrities throwing punches, because that's what you want to see in a Bruce Lee documentary, other people punching.

    His wife, and Dan Inosanto are interviewed, and come across well, but informative sources are few and far between. Shannon Lee is engaging, but she was 4 when her father died - her input is limited.

    If you bought the Enter the Dragon Special Edition DVD you've probably seen most of the footage in this documentary. Better watch it there, than here interspersed with irritating actors and MMA fighters.

    Just so you're aware of the kinds of useless people they have in this documentary. If they stripped out these nobodies and kept it down to the core group of experts, they might have had something passable.

    • Taboo from the Black Eyed Peas (Taboo? More like Tab-who?)


    • Mickey Rourke (Played a wrestler in a movie)


    • Paul Rodriguez (Professional skateboarder)


    • Ed O'Neill (Played Al Bundy in a sitcom)


    • Dana White (UFC dude)


    • Lots more fanboys wearing Bruce lee t-shirts.
    8zak_bristol

    Both Good and Bad Points

    To be honest anything about Bruce Lee and I am going to watch it. It was interesting seeing the mix of people some of who actually knew Bruce and some who are fans talk about him. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but that Judo fool who said Bruce was more entertainer than fighter just made himself look silly. And Ed O'Neil ( who I liked on Married with Children ) also got it wrong saying that today's fighters would have beaten Bruce easily. He is missing a very important fact, that is, that Bruce 'adapted' to whoever he fought. That is the essence of JKD. As Bruce got older he got better and better and bigger men would be no match for his skill and speed. I have never seen another martial artist as fast as Bruce or as adaptable. And I am talking about the real Bruce fighting, not what we see in his films. ( although much of that is pretty impressive ) Bruce once said that the most dangerous opponent was someone determined to do something regardless of the consequences, so if they were determined to bite your nose they probably would. Bruce was like that, he did whatever was needed to win. That is why he grew to hate styles because they restricted the mind. By the way this is what is behind the 'honestly express YOURSELF' speech. Linda Lee and Shanon and Dan Inosanto stood out for me as they were talking first hand and with such obvious affection. Could have done with more clips of Bruce fighting but apart from that I liked this documentary.
    1purpleprinc3

    One of the worst documentary's...

    This documentary, if one could call it that, I found to be disrespectful and a disservice to Bruce Lee. It must of been hard to juggle all those ego's in those interviews, they even asked expert Martial Artist and renowned philosopher Mickey Rourke to give his wisdom on the matter which was comical to say the least. Then they bring out embittered old man who claims to be the grandfather of MMA, small point, the first 'M' in MMA stands for 'Mixed,' doing one style is not a mixture, end of non-debate. Bruce Lee didn't start Martial Arts until he was 13, and only intensely trained later. He was far more than a mere fighter as this documentary suggests, he studied and wrote philosophy. I just found this mockumentary attempting to undermine Bruce Lee, through claims of plagiarism (even though they're his 'notes' not published works, so how they could claim plagiarism I do not know, equivalent of me being accused of plagiarism when I copy sentences and make notes in University from books I have to study.) They try to undermine he was a great fighter, their MMA fighters, if they think a real fight consists of gloves and a ring they obviously have no idea of the harsh and unfair reality of fighting. Anyhow Bruce Lee wouldn't endorse a commercialized fighting competition that offers people nothing but mindless entertainment through brutality. Please don't compare Bruce Lee to the likes of Tiger Woods and Jay Z, he has more integrity in the tip of his finger than they have in every fibre of their being.

    Bruce Lee also wrote about philosophy and life, he also studied and wrote poetry, look up 'Bruce Lee poems' you'll be pleasantly surprised. The only person who spoke with grace was his courageous and wonderful wife who I can only admire for her strength of spirit. Just what we should remember Bruce Lee for, his strength of spirit, far more than a mere fighter, he had the spirit of a warrior and was a refined gentlemen, traits we should all strive for. Sorry for the long review, but I felt it needed to be said.
    10almar-6

    The Ultimate Bruce Lee Doc!

    Here we have it, folks! The Ultimate Bruce Lee documentary! I AM BRUCE LEE celebrates the legend of martial arts cinema like never before. Featuring a whole host of fascinating interviews from Lee's widow, daughter, Dan Inosanto, kick boxing champion Bob Wall, Mickey Rourke, Ed O'Neill, Kobe Bryant and several other important names. Along with some extremely rare footage including interviews, this documentary leads us on a journey through Lee's past to his tragic and untimely death. His undeniable influence can still be seen today and this documentary captures and explores this incredible man to the full. The extras included here are also superb, consisting of several personal home videos and a look at Bruce Lee's phenomenal influence around the globe.

    This is, without a shadow of a doubt, the only Bruce Lee documentary you'll ever need to see. The documentary is such an in-depth tribute that even the most knowledgeable of fans will find plenty here to entertain and educate them.

    A must have!

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    Related interests

    Ben Kingsley, Rohini Hattangadi, and Geraldine James in Gandhi (1982)
    Biography
    Dziga Vertov in Man with a Movie Camera (1929)
    Documentary

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Quotes

      Bruce Lee: I will live the way I please and achieve inner harmony and happiness.

    • Connections
      Features The Green Hornet (1966)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 9, 2012 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Canada
    • Official site
      • Official Blog
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Tôi Là Lý Tiểu Long
    • Filming locations
      • Hong Kong(Bruce Lee's funeral)
    • Production companies
      • LeeWay Media
      • Network Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 34m(94 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 16:9 HD

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