Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalHispanic Heritage MonthIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
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
    View Poster

    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
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    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!
    7leonblackwood

    A professional insight into the world of a martial arts genius. 7/10

    Review: What a great documentary about a unique man who will never be forgotten. I've seen many documentaries about Bruce Lee which haven't been that professional but this is a very well put together movie which shows different people's views about what they feel about this martial arts genius. I have seen a lot of the footage in this documentary before but you get to hear from his wife and his children how it was to be around Bruce Lee and how he dealt with certain matters. His death on the 23rd of July, 1973 at the young age of 32, has always been questionable, especially as he was such an active man who didn't show any symptoms of having any problems, so when he was diagnosed with cerebral edema, people started to put together there own stories about what caused his death. After many years of his passing, there hasn't been anyone who has come close to his unique style of Kung Fu and his philosophy behind his art form. This documentary really does show that he lived and breathed his own style of martial arts which is a combination of many different styles. It's hard to believe that a man, who only made 4 full movies in his career, made such a big impact in cinema today and I doubt that were going to see anyone like Bruce Lee again. Well, not in my lifetime! Great Watch!

    Round-Up: This documentary was directed by Peter McCormack who brought you other documentaries like Facing Ali, Hope In The Time Of AIDS, The Marijuana Wars and Uganda Rising, so he's known for his deep and emotional dramas about delicate matters. He was lucky to get so many people on board for this documentary, which includes stars from the movie, sports, UFC and martial arts world and the emotional interviews with the family members, close friends and his wife, made this movie a joy to watch. This is definitely a "Must Watch" for all of the Bruce Lee fans!

    I recommend this movie to people who are into their documentary/biographies about Bruce Lee's amazing life, with interviews with Linda Lee Cadwell, Kobe Bryant, Mickey Rourke, Dana White and Gina Carano. 7/10
    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.
    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.
    6roddekker

    Wham! Bam! Meet the Biggest, Little Butt-Kicker Of Them All!

    Bruce Lee quote - "Absorb what is useful - Discard what is not - Add what is uniquely your own."

    I must admit that I am, indeed, a bit of a Bruce Lee fan, myself. I mean, this guy, with his mischievous grin, was an extraordinary martial artist whose distinctive fighting style excelled, without question, well beyond the norm.

    Born in both the year (1940), and the hour, of the Dragon, Bruce Lee's venture into American cinema is what firmly cemented his reputation as being one of the 20th Century's most dynamic and enduring pop-culture icons of them all.

    In the world of entertainment, Bruce Lee was (and, I guess, always will be) the ultimate butt-kicker, bar none.

    Through stills, archive footage, and film clips (as well as interviews from family members, celebrities and martial arts experts) this "I Am Bruce Lee" documentary-DVD tells the story of this ambitiously-driven man who, at the very height of his career, died tragically (in 1973) at the age of 32.

    Best Emmys Moments

    Best Emmys Moments
    Discover nominees and winners, red carpet looks, and more from the Emmys!

    More like this

    The Way of the Dragon
    7.1
    The Way of the Dragon
    Game of Death
    5.9
    Game of Death
    Fist of Fury
    7.2
    Fist of Fury
    Getting Lost
    7.1
    Getting Lost
    Be Water
    7.3
    Be Water
    The Legend of Bruce Lee
    6.8
    The Legend of Bruce Lee
    Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey
    8.0
    Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey
    The Big Boss
    6.9
    The Big Boss
    The Legend of Bruce Lee
    6.9
    The Legend of Bruce Lee
    Bruce Lee
    Bruce Lee
    Enter the Dragon
    7.6
    Enter the Dragon
    Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story
    7.0
    Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story

    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)

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    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

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.