Original subtitles

You must start practicing with your legs and feet first.

Faster. Follow me!

Follow me. Faster!

Dad.

Come on.

Faster!

I can't run any more.

Bruce.

You must keep going.

I really can't run any more.

Don't you want to meet Master Ip?

I do.

All right. Then keep on running.

Dad, I don't want to give up.

Bruce, you didn't give up. You're doing great!

Help yourself up.

MARTIAL SPIRIT

Master Ip, I've brought my son to meet you.

WING CHUN ACADEMY

I made him run here from King's Park as you suggested.

He made it.

Not many people can run to here

from King's Park.

Has he passed your first test?

I've seen your son before.

-You've seen my son before? -Yes.

I saw the movie you and your son were in.

That was years ago.

I saw your son

fighting with a security guard at the movie theater.

He was about seven or eight, then.

A child of seven or eight, dared to fight with a burly guy like that.

Such a mischievous boy.

Master Ip, I hear that...

when you choose an apprentice, their virtue is of utmost importance.

Yes, my son is stubborn,

but he--

Not just that. He's also got a reputation.

I know why he wants to learn kung fu.

Okay. Come in, please.

He's run all the way from King's Park.

How could I close my door on him?

You, help him in.

-Thank you, Master Ip. -No.

I'm fine. I can do it on my own.

Master Ip, my son...

has nothing on his mind but learning kung fu.

He used to stir up trouble when he was little.

He's just too competitive.

Master Ip, I'm bringing him to you.

I have nothing to hide.

I'd like him to follow a true master like you...

so you can teach him.

I'd be honored.

It's all right.

Ruhai...

has told me a lot about your son.

If Master Shao is so fond of him, he can't be such a bad kid.

He can come over.

That's fantastic, Master Ip.

School's on a break right now.

We'd love you to teach him.

Master Ip, tell me...

is he made for kung fu?

If he is, then we have to let him try.

It seems

that you've already thought about me training your son.

Oh, no, no.

Master Ip, please don't get me wrong.

You see...

I've lived half my life already and at my age...

I know how important an education is.

My wife and I have tried our best, financially and emotionally,

to be able to send him to a private school.

We wanted him to get a good education.

But this child only thinks about kung fu.

He got four Fs at school this semester.

We're very worried about him.

So, we'd like you to watch over him.

If he has no talent whatsoever, then we'll just accept it.

Please, don't think I'm just bragging.

My son is actually a smart kid.

So, Master Ip, we'd like you

to allow him to finish his studies while he learns kung fu.

I understand.

I don't want him to give up school either.

We'll make him study harder.

Most people who study kung fu

pay more attention to their physical training

than their mental training.

Not me.

I believe physical training

and intellectual training are both important.

So please don't worry.

Thank you so much, Master.

Shao Ruhai holds you in very high regard.

Please sit, Master Ip.

We've prepared some wine at home today.

We'd be honored if you could join us.

If Bruce,

excels and achieves excellence in kung fu,

that'll be a great enough reward for me.

I'll get Bruce.

Okay.

Bruce! Come here. Hurry!

Master Ip.

Master Ip.

Bruce, why do you want to learn kung fu?

I can tell from his eyes...

that he is committed to kung fu.

No wonder Master Shao, thinks highly of him.

Throughout history,

all of the great martial artists

have had strong characters.

But,

There are two different types of strong personality.

One type is the strong moral character of the true martial artist.

The other type is...

the unruly brute.

Master Ip, I'm turning this boy over to you.

Discipline him accordingly.

We hope that he'll become someone...

of moral integrity.

Good.

So, today I'll teach you

what Wing Chun is about.

This form is called "Little Idea".

Wing Chun was created by a Buddhist nun from Fujian named Ng Mui.

Wing Chun is concise and practical.

"Little Idea", the form Guo Xinli is teaching is a good starting point.

All right.

Everyone, get into pairs and practice your free fighting.

Wing Chun requires good coordination of hands and feet.

The three main techniques are wing arm blocks,

the penetrating/breaking hand, and the Bridge Seeking form.

Stances include the Goat Clamping Stance,

Three Point Stance, Chasing Step...

and the Single Leg Stance.

What he's doing is called "Dispersing Hand",

which is both an offensive and defensive move.

What he's doing is "Chasing Step",

which requires speed and ferocity.

That's a "Grappling Strike", which is used in close combat.

Wing Chun integrates internal martial arts

with close range combat techniques.

It stresses actual combat.

Zhongliang, come here.

Show him the "One-Inch Punch".

Bring the plank.

"One-Inch Punch" means striking

with all the strength in your body from just an inch away.

One inch?

That's right.

Other fist striking methods rely on your waist and arms.

But Wing Chun...

requires you to use all of the energy in your body.

So as long as you have an inch to work with, you can strike a powerful blow.

Hold this.

Morning, Master.

Did you run over here?

Yes.

I've been running ten kilometers a day as instructed.

Five kilometers this way, and five on the way home.

Good. Keep doing that.

Master, what are you teaching me today?

Do you see that corner?

Go there and practice your Horse Stance there for two hours.

Horse Stance?

Master, I want to learn the moves used in actual combat.

I can practice Horse Stance at home.

Shut up!

Practice your Horse Stance.

Yes, Master.

Come down. Breakfast's ready.

-Where's your brother? -I'm coming.

Let's eat, Big Brother.

Hey.

Bruce!

Bruce. Haiquan.

-Where's Bruce? -Don't wait for him.

He went to the Academy early this morning.

He didn't even have breakfast.

It's okay, I told him to eat out.

Don't you know that no one

can stop this kid from doing the things he wants to do!

Has Master Ip accepted him?

I just took him so that Master Ip could test him.

I don't know if he will accept Bruce.

-Morning, Master. -Morning.

Master,

can we practice one-on-one today?

I've been practicing Horse Stance for a week.

Zhongliang, take him to work on his wrist strength.

Let's go.

Let's go, Bruce.

Bruce, can you lift this up?

Is it too hard for you? You need to practice.

No, not like that.

Grab the pole from one end.

Lift it, keeping it level, and assume Horse Stance.

I'll do it.

See, I can keep it level.

Can you hold it like that for an hour?

Brother, can I just stop practicing this nonsense?

I don't want to spend my school break doing this.

If you don't learn the basics, you'll achieve nothing.

Just do whatever the Master tells you to.

Master, Bruce is practicing.

Master, can I skip this one?

I'm standing in Horse Stance and lifting poles every day.

Seems like you have to practice it for the rest of your life.

What? For the rest of my life?

That's right.

If you don't master the basics, your kung fu training will be in vain.

You have to practice it for the rest of your life.

However, there are different training methods for every stage.

For now you have to practice with a wooden pole.

By the time we swap it for an iron pole, you'll be able to lift heavier stuff.

Master, can I skip this?

No.

Master, can you teach me something useful?

No. Keep practicing.

Bruce, I'll tell you one more time,

If you don't master the basics,

your kung fu training will useless.

Got it?

Master, when are you going to teach me something useful?

First master lifting that pole. Then we'll talk.

-I'll get it for you. -Still reading?

Thanks, Mom.

-What's wrong? -Are you okay?

Are your hands all right?

-No. -They're swollen.

They just make me do Horse Stance all day.

And after that, lifting poles.

They make me lift poles all day and teach me nothing else.

It's only been a few days and you've had enough?

Can't you see how tired he is?

Just holding a pole all day. Who else could stand that?

Can one learn martial arts from doing that?

I didn't want you to learn kung fu to begin with.

You didn't listen. You insisted.

Now, after only a few days, you're fed up?

Listen.

Master Ip has earned his reputation.

He's a renowned kung fu master in Hong Kong,

Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore.

He's admired by all.

That's not what I meant.

I mean that he hasn't taught me anything useful.

How so?

I say it's useful.

When I was at drama school,

I had to practice winter through summer.

I was doing either leg exercises or vocal training every day.

These are the basic skills.

-Please eat. -To this day,

I still do leg exercises and vocal training each and every day.

Keep practicing, kid.

It was your choice.

Let's eat.

Dad.

-Dad! -Sit.

Dad!

Can you ask Master Ip to teach me something useful?

I don't want to waste my time.

Vacation is almost over.

I can do that.

As long as you say that...

you don't want to learn kung fu any more.

I'll forget about losing face

and drag you back from Master Ip's.

I want to learn it.

I just don't want to waste my time.

Then do as you see fit.

Let's eat.

Starting form!

Begin!

Xiaoman, you're here!

Why'd you come here on your own without telling me?

I went to see A Lin. He said he hadn't seen you in days.

I went to your house. Your mom said you were here. So I came.

-You have something to tell me? -Of course.

What is it?

I told you that

the High School Student Union is hosting a cha-cha show.

Our school said we can take part.

And I told you that I was no longer interested in cha-cha.

You...

Holding a pole all day is learning kung fu?

You saw that?

I'm holding it for fun.

Don't lie to me.

Really! It's just for fun.

Have you lost interest

in seeing me lately?

Of course not. How could I?

Xiaoman...

it's not that I don't want to see you.

I'm just so anxious. I'm pissed off.

About what?

About Master Ip.

Ever since he became my teacher,

he's only let me do Horse Stance and lift poles.

I've already learned these basic skills.

I don't even know what he thinks.

If it's boring, then stop doing it.

Let's go to Malaysia, Taiwan,

and Singapore with our performing troop instead.

No.

Let's go! Otherwise, what am I supposed to do?

We're a team.

If you don't go, who'll be my partner?

I told you I'm not into cha-cha anymore.

Bruce, I'm begging you!

I can't.

You mean it?

I mean it.

-You don't want to go? -No, I don't.

Master's back. Master's back.

Master! Master!

Please continue.

Did you ask him to lift two poles at the same time?

No. He did it himself.

I've been gone a while.

Has he been doing it like this?

Yes, he's been doing it all day.

Good boy. He's committed to martial arts.

At first,

he didn't like these dull tasks.

He just wanted to rebel against you.

What a character!

Miss.

Xiaoman, please come in.

Xiaoman, where's Bruce Lee?

Did you find him?

Why isn't he here?

Did you tell him about it?

I did.

He said he's not interested in cha-cha.

Why not?

He's the best cha-cha dancer in Hong Kong.

Didn't he even want to

travel to Southeast Asia?

I told him everything.

But he didn't listen. What can I do?

What can we do then?

I've already confirmed it with the Student Union.

Our school's already ordered costumes

for the two of you.

Oh, God!

I don't know why he's acting like this.

Isn't he interested in you?

Aren't you guys getting along?

I hate him.

Okay, okay. Have a seat.

Xiaoman,

we'll have to turn down this performance.

How do I explain this to the Principal?

Maybe I should talk to his parents on behalf of the school.

I know him well. He's a stubborn ass.

He never takes back what he's said.

How do you feel?

I really want to take part.

Is that Harry, the Military Officer? This is Ms. Ingrid.

Yes, your son Blair's teacher.

May I speak with Blair?

You want Blair to take Bruce's place?

Do you have a better idea?

Our school's reputation is at stake. We can't let Bruce Lee ruin it.

Is that Blair? This is Ms. Ingrid.

Please come to my office right away.

It's good news for you.

Okay. That's it.

Bye.

Okay.

Ms. Ingrid,

do you think Blair and I will be good partners?

You tell me.

You're fast.

I drove here.

That's great. We don't need the car for now.

Xiaoman's here too.

This must be something good.

Do you like Xiaoman?

Of course I do. She's our campus belle.

The prettiest Chinese girl at our school.

What I meant was

do you want to be her dance partner for the cha-cha show?

Sure. But I'm not that good at cha-cha.

Okay, Blair...

the Hong Kong High School Student Union

is going on a cha-cha performance tour to Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan,

Our school's cha-cha team was chosen.

I don't know why, but...

Bruce Lee doesn't want to take part.

Why not? He's not going?

Even Xiaoman doesn't know why.

All right.

We have a lot of work to do

over this vacation.

Let's go. Can you give us a ride?

We have to go to the Student Union

and then order your costume.

You're bigger and taller than Bruce Lee.

That's great!

Let's go, Xiaoman.

I want to find Bruce.

Do you think it's still necessary?

I must persuade him.

You just said that

he never changes his mind.

You said that.

But I still want to try.

Sorry, I have to go.

Chinese people love to solve puzzles. There's a tough one.

Hurry up!

A Lin, hurry up!

Watch out!

What're you thinking?

Why don't you watch where you're going?

Come on. I'll take you to Bruce's.

Let's go.

If Bruce doesn't listen to me this time, I'll never talk to him again.

Relax. I'm here!

I'll convince him.

We can't allow our beautiful Xiaoman

to go abroad with that freak foreigner.

You two? What's up?

Xiaoman, what's going on?

What's going on? I could ask you the same!

Bruce, let me ask you.

-How're things between you and Xiaoman? -Fine.

Did she tell you about the show?

-She did. -Then why you don't want to go?

It's just a show.

I'm the cha-cha champion. What's the point of taking part in this?

Did you know that I've become Master Ip's apprentice?

I don't want a cha-cha show,

to interfere with my training with Master Ip.

Do you know that Ms. Ingrid

has chosen Blair to take your place?

She's made Xiaoman and Blair dance partners.

Why?

He's partnered with Jones.

How can Jones compete with Xiaoman?

Ingrid wants Xiaoman to dance with Blair.

I got it.

Listen, Xiaoman,

Don't dance with him.

You don't need to get involved with him.

I don't want to.

But I've told my parents,

my aunt in Singapore,

and even my uncle in Taiwan.

Did you know that all the newspapers in Taiwan

reported the news about our championship?

My uncle's family must've seen it.

But you won't go.

How can you be so selfish?

You didn't even ask me before you agreed to it.

Don't blame her.

I don't understand

why you'd let Blair have this great opportunity.

Bruce, can't you ask the Academy for time off? So you can go with Xiaoman?

I can't.

Xiaoman, listen to me.

Don't go. Let them go.

The school won't agree to it.

Why are you so stubborn?

Bruce, you should go.

I don't even know what to do without you.

I said I'm not going.

Bruce, do you think you're the king?

I haven't said anything yet.

You have to go!

Xiaoman, I'm telling you.

I'm not going. And neither are you.

Bruce. Bruce?

Why aren't you eating? This child…

What are you doing there?

Mom, can you put it there? I'll eat it later.

I'm not hungry right now.

Xiaoman came looking for you.

She wants you to dance cha-cha.

They're going to Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore.

She's anxious.

I know.

So, what are you going to do?

Mom, I don't want to train anymore.

Really?

I've been waiting for you to say that.

Haiquan, come here! Your son just said he won't practice kung fu any more!

Mom. Mom!

I meant that I don't want to practice cha-cha,

not kung fu.

Son, listen.

Can't you just,

think about it?

You two won the Hong Kong cha-cha championship.

But you've only just started learning kung fu.

Can't you tell

which one is more important?

And think about Xiaoman. You'll make her lose.

That's not fair to her.

Bruce, can you listen to me?

I've never approved of you learning kung fu.

If you're just doing it to improve your physique, that's fine.

But if you're going to waste your youth

on learning kung fu,

then what's your future going to be like?

Son, listen to me.

Go dance with Xiaoman.

You may become a star.

Mom, can you just stop talking?

I said I'm not going.

Whether it's Taiwan,

or the UK or the US. I'm not going.

How can you be so stubborn?

You know what, Mom?

I'm fed up. I don't understand...

why Master Ip still doesn't want me to train with the other apprentices

even though I've been with him for ages.

He hasn't taught me any real kung fu.

In terms of strength,

I'm actually no different from the other apprentices.

Of course. Master wants me to practice Horse Stance and lifting poles.

I know now.

It's to teach me self-discipline.

If I go practice cha-cha with Xiaoman,

all this will go down the drain.

Right, Mom?

Son, you haven't started yet.

So how can everything go to waste?

Son, I don't understand why you're so stubborn.

Mom, enough. Stop annoying me, okay?

Bruce!

You...

How can you talk to your mom like that?

I--

I hit the lamp. Why am I so light?

Because you never eat.

How are you, Bruce?

Are you enlightened?

No. I'm very annoyed.

Annoyed? About what?

On the first day you came here, I asked you

why you wanted to learn kung fu?

You still haven't answered me.

Master, can you tell me...

where the term, "yellow-skinned son of bitch" came from?

Good boy.

From now on, I'll teach you real combat skills.

Really? That's great, Master!

Do you know? I've been waiting for this day.

Watching the others practice kung fu every day,

it made me very anxious.

You've finally agreed to teach me real kung fu.

Go on. What else is on your mind?

Master, to tell you the truth,

I know you're testing me.

Testing my willpower and endurance.

If I learn real kung fu, I'll have nothing to fear.

Seems like you still need to work on your stance training.

Zhongliang.

Yes, Master!

Take him to practice stances.

What, Master?

You said that you were going to teach me combat skills.

Why have you changed your mind?

Do you ever mean anything you say?

Shut up! Go practice your stances.

Come on. Grab it.

Watch your posture.

I don't think there'll be a problem.

My dear Xiaoman.

Young girls turn old if they cry often.

Your eyes say it all.

Shall we leave...

or do you want to fix your makeup?

Dear Xiaoman, we're not in the same class,

But I understand you.

I really admire you.

I'm honored to have this chance to work with you.

I'll respect you and cooperate with you.

We both need honor.

I appreciate the term "honor".

Everyone should understand what it means.

Bruce.

Not bad. Let's have a rest.

Leave me alone.

So...

you think Master doesn't keep his word? Is that right?

Do you know why he wants you to keep practicing your stances?

It seems to me that

you still don't understand the essence of kung fu.

Essence?

What do you think about when you practice stances?

What could I be thinking about?

I was thinking about why Master changed his mind.

And?

I should do whatever Master tells me.

Don't worry, Master.

I'll keep standing until you are satisfied.

Bruce, I have to say,

these past few days have been a waste.

What? I don't understand.

Do you know why you have to practice your stances?

Master Shao said that...

practicing stances is practice.

That kung fu training is pointless if you don't master the basics.

So I'll keep practicing.

I believe Master will teach me real kung fu sooner or later.

If Master wants me to lift poles for the rest of my life, I'll just do it.

So, Shao Ruhai has taught you the importance of stances.

However, you don't understand its true meaning.

Stance practice is a basic skill for people learning kung fu.

It's not just about footwork.

More importantly, it's to strengthen your resolve.

To learn kung fu is to strengthen your character.

This you must strengthen your heart and soul.

Stance practice strengthens your mind?

That's right, Bruce.

Your heart is restless.

It's vital for a kung fu student

to make his body and mind as calm as still water.

A calm mind can reach a thousand miles.

When you're practicing stances, you're like a tree.

Just imagine you are a big, tall tree reaching the sky.

No matter how tall the tree is, it stands on its roots.

Your entire body and mind

must take root into the ground.

The deeper your roots, the deeper your understanding of kung fu.

Got it?

So it'll be fine as long as I imagine myself as a big tree?

To learn kung fu is to train your body and mind.

Finally, you'll feel as one with heaven and earth.

Feel as one?

If you ever reach this level.

Until then...

your whole body and mind will turn into water.

So, from a tree,

you turn into water which permeates everything.

So then,

this is the highest level of kung fu training.

In that level, you'll be able to melt yourself,

melt yourself into water.

When you are consciously and unconsciously melting into water,

only then will your body and mind

melt into the earth beneath your feet.

And only then...

you can understand the way of kung fu.

The way of kung fu?

I don't understand.

Have you read Laozi's work?

I have. But I don't understand--

Subtitle translation by Vicky Wang