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Be Water, My Friend: The 10 Most Defining Bruce Lee Moments

Every once in a while, something very profound happens that changes life as we know it. One such occurrence took place in my life 20 years ago, and as such, shaped my ideals and passions into what they are today. At 8 years old through persuasion of my mother, I sat and watched for the first time probably what I consider to be the most influential movie of all time. The movie itself was very simple, but it was also one of the first of its kind and has spawned countless imitations since its release 40 years ago. The star is unmistakable and loved throughout the world, the man who opened up the door of martial arts in cinema to the West. The chiseled body, the lightning fast moves, the immovable fixed gaze, the animalistic scream, we all know who he is. The movie: Enter The Dragon; the man: Lee Jun Fan aka Bruce Lee.

4) 5’7” vs. 7’2” – Game Of Death (1978)

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In 1973, Bruce’s life was cut tragically short and left in his wake was his unfinished passion project, Game Of Death. He had shot some footage based around the concept of a pagoda where his character would have to fight his way through a different master on each floor in his attempt to make it to the top. This archive footage managed to find its way into Enter The Dragon helmer Robert Clouse’s hands and with the aid of body doubles and obscured angles, a mess of a movie was fashioned. In one of the fights that Bruce did film, he squares up against his real life student and basketball legend, Kareem Abdul Jabbar.

The only reason I include this is because although it isn’t officially a part of Bruce’s filmography (at least in my eyes), it was his baby, and it should be appreciated for what it could’ve been. If a statement was to be made and a real challenge posed, this was the perfect way to do it. And the moment I’m referring to specifically is not the actual fight that ensues, it’s the moment where Bruce enters the room and sees the towering 7’2” frame of Jabbar standing in the shadows. The look of disbelief on Bruce’s face was the only time I remember him looking even slightly miffed before facing off against an opponent.

This made the anticipation of the forthcoming duel even more intense, because you know that Bruce will have a hard time overcoming this challenge, and the human factor is boosted to a thousand. And without spoiling it for those who haven’t seen it, what a duel it was!