Episode 64 - Bruce Lee at 80: Legacy of the Dragon

Episode 64 - Bruce Lee at 80: Legacy of the Dragon

Author: Ben Johnson November 23, 2020 Duration: 1:08:50

On 27 November 2020, the martial arts superstar and pop culture icon Bruce Lee would have celebrated his 80th birthday. To commemorate the occasion, we have put together this bonus podcast featuring a range of voices from across our five seasons, exploring the legacy of the 'Little Dragon' and the impact he continues to have in society, media, and the world of martial arts. Bruce Lee was only 32 when he died in 1973, but in the 47 years since his death, his star has not waned. In fact, judging by the range of new films, TV shows, books and documentaries inspired by his life, Bruce Lee's fame is now more prevalent than ever. On this compilation show, you will hear from his daughter, Shannon Lee, on why she thinks her father's legacy continues to inspire and influence people from all over the world. You will hear from his good friend and co-star, Bob Wall, and his goddaughter, Diana Lee Inosanto, on Bruce Lee's impact on the fighting arts and, in particular, his role in the development of today's hugely popular sport of mixed martial arts. You will also hear from action stars including Scott Adkins, Loren Avedon, Jean-Paul Ly and Jerry Trimble who explain the impact Lee has had on their lives and careers.


SHOW NOTES

This episode features the song 'Theme from Enter the Dragon (Main title)' composed by Lalo Schifrin, copyright 1973 Warner Music Inc., available to buy now via Warner Music Group. Link to purchase: https://music.apple.com/us/album/enter-the-dragon-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/375639617

This episode includes an audio clip from 'Bruce Lee: The Lost Interview', recorded 9 December 1971 for 'The Pierre Berton Show'. Please find full interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uk1lzkH-e4U

Shannon Lee's book, 'Be Water, My Friend: The True Teachings of Bruce Lee', published by Flatiron, is available now via Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Water-My-Friend-Teachings/dp/1846046661

Follow the official Bruce Lee social media accounts on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/brucelee/), Twitter (https://twitter.com/brucelee) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BruceLee/)

Bruce Lee profile on Kung Fu Movie Guide: http://bit.ly/BruceLeeKFMG


TAKE PART IN OUR 2020 END OF YEAR SHOW

Let us know your favourite martial arts action films of the year and why and your comments could be read out on the show. Please find a list of films released in 2020 on our website: https://bit.ly/KFMGPodEndOfYearShow2020.


COMPETITION

We have 3 x Blu-rays of the 1993 Hong Kong classic, The Bride with White Hair, and 3 x Blu-rays of the 2019 Chinese animated fantasy, White Snake, to give away in this month's competition. Full competition details will be announced in our next newsletter, released 30 November. Sign-up to our newsletter via our website (http://bit.ly/KFMGhome) to be in with a chance of winning. Good luck!


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There's a particular magic in the stories behind the fights, the philosophy woven into the choreography, and the sheer dedication it takes to create martial arts cinema. The Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast is built on those stories, offering a backstage pass to the world of Hong Kong action, classic Shaw Brothers epics, and modern martial arts filmmaking. Host Ben Johnson, who created the extensive kungfumovieguide.com resource, sits down for detailed conversations with the very people who bring these films to life. Each episode features an unscripted, in-depth interview with actors who threw the punches, stunt performers who designed the falls, directors who framed the shots, and choreographers who turned violence into poetry. You'll hear about their career paths, the challenges on set, and the deep, personal passion that fuels their work. This isn't just a surface-level recap of famous movies; it's about the craft, the history, and the human effort behind every iconic scene. For anyone who has ever wondered about the artistry behind a perfectly executed fight sequence or the legacy of a genre that spans decades, this podcast provides a rich, engaging listen. Tune in for genuine insights from the heart of martial arts cinema.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Episode 37 - Shannon Lee / Andrew Koji [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:46
Shannon Lee was only four years old when she lost her father, the international martial arts superstar, Bruce Lee - but her father has continued to have a lasting impact on her life. As the CEO of the Bruce Lee Family Co…
Episode 36 - End Of Year Show 2018 with Mike Fury [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:55
Celebrating the best (and worst) that martial arts movies had to offer in 2018, join us for our festive round-up of the year with the action movie expert and author of 'Life of Action', Mike Fury. As well as counting dow…
Episode 35 - Matthew Polly [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:11
When Bruce Lee died 45 years ago at the age of 32, his death was shrouded in mystery. To this day, theories still abound as to the circumstances surrounding his passing and the events leading up to it. Writer Matthew Pol…
Episode 34 - Sophia Crawford [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:14
Buffy's stunt double and former Power Ranger, Sophia Crawford, earned her spurs as a stunt performer working in Hong Kong's raw and relentless action movie industry in the early 1990s. She found herself part of an era of…
Episode 33 - Jean-Paul Ly [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:56
When Jean-Paul Ly moved from Cambodia to London to make it in the movie business, he predicted that within three years, he would be the lead in a martial arts action film. It only took two and a half years until he compl…
Episode 32 - Jesse V. Johnson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:55
Having now worked with UK martial arts star Scott Adkins a total of six times – including on the films Savage Dog, Accident Man, The Debt Collector, and the soon to be released martial arts movie event of the year, Tripl…
Episode 31 - Bryan Larkin / Ross Boyask, John Adams [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:11
Today is an 'I Am Vengeance' movie special. WWE star Stu Bennett (aka Wade Barrett) and martial arts movie legend Gary Daniels star in 'I Am Vengeance' (aka 'Vengeance'), which is out now in theatres and on digital downl…
Episode 30 - Bob Wall / Timon Singh [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:58
Although Bob Wall had no desire to become a film star, he somehow ended up appearing in some of the highest grossing martial arts films of all time. As Chuck Norris’ business partner and Bruce Lee’s training buddy and fr…
Episode 29 - Joey Ansah [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:19
UK actor and filmmaker Joey Ansah’s imagination was sparked at an early age through the power of the classic Hong Kong action movie, Dragons Forever, and the Street Fighter video game. The son of a famous Ghanaian fashio…
Episode 28 - Alain Moussi / Dimitri Logothetis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:15
Alain Moussi has enjoyed a rapid rise from stuntman to starring roles to leading his own martial arts movie franchise. As Kurt Sloane, he is the poster-boy at the heart of the rebooted Kickboxer franchise – a role made f…