Original subtitles

Foreigners don't use double bluff strategies or think about

using their opponent's power against them.

They just push forward, forward.

That's their war strategy.

All they do is beat their drums and march their troops into battle.

That's just stupid.

They don't understand that fighting spirit

diminishes with each passing moment.

Master, I'm even more confused now.

You need to use your brain and clear your mind.

Put simply,

you no longer need to work on your shuffle step defense.

In Western boxing,

their so-called "defense" is little more than

wearing a pair of large gloves.

It falls short of our Wing Chun defense methods.

Wing Chun requires

defending against a wide range of attacks from legs, feet, fists, and elbows.

What should I do now?

Just one thing: practice the One-Inch Punch with these brothers.

Just the One-Inch Punch?

Correct.

If you want to defeat David Cafeld,

you'll only get one chance to do it. You must take it.

Master, I don't understand.

Wouldn't I lose face if I use that tactic?

If you don't use this tactic,

you'll lose the fight.

That would be a bigger disgrace.

Again.

Good.

Pay attention, Bruce. That punch still isn't explosive enough.

Its power is inconsistent.

What you need now is speed.

Like a flash of lightning.

I really don't understand.

Why does Master want me to take a beating?

Honestly, I don't get it either.

But Master isn't one for frivolity.

I believe there's a reason he said this.

If you were both equally skilled, it'd be easier to handle.

The problem is you're way below David's level.

Brother, think about Master's plan.

Does he really know boxing?

Nonsense! Of course, he does.

He gave me pointers when I learned to box.

If I don't touch David Cafeld for three rounds

but let him keep hitting me,

the judge won't declare I've lost.

If I take a beating and miscalculate the count,

I'll lose.

Just do what he tells you to. You haven't here much lately.

Master's been thinking about your competition. Over and over.

He kept reading the news reports about it and contemplated in silence.

I don't understand.

If I let David Cafeld get too aggressive,

I'm done for.

If I knock him down with one punch, what will people think?

They'll say it was a fluke.

No. I have to think this through.

What? You don't trust Master?

I think Master's right.

Just like the Chinese papers said.

You'd better make us proud.

You've been angry for so long.

You have to let it all out.

However, you're not strong enough yet.

You'll get injured if you mess up.

In the last half-minute,

there'll only be one chance for me to strike him down.

I really don't get Master's point.

Come on, let's practice. We'll help you.

Dad.

Dad, can you stop doing that?

What's up, Daughter?

All our Chinese and British schoolmates will be cheering for Bruce.

Even if we sew 500 vests, it won't be enough.

Any material will be fine.

Even 500 vests cost a lot of money.

Dad, just this time. I'm begging you.

Okay. I'll do it.

Since my sweetie is asking me, I'll do my best to please her.

Thank you, Dad!

If Bruce can defeat that foreigner this time,

it'd be a great honor for us Chinese.

Okay, I'll go get the material.

Hurry, Dad.

Hurry!

Why are you so quiet?

Stage fright?

The ball's in your court.

Don't let us down. All of Hong Kong is watching you now.

There's been news about your match in all the papers these past few days.

Bruce, look, we don't know who'll win yet.

But look, this newspaper has called you a star.

Let's say...

you do win the championship title for your school.

You'd earn enough credit to get your high school diploma next year.

That's what I think.

In my opinion, it doesn't really matter if you win or lose.

The most important thing is that you don't get injured.

Mom, don't worry.

This is boxing, not a street fight.

Plus, there's a referee. How could he get injured?

Bruce, I heard yesterday that A Lin has bought lots of tickets

for his friends and family.

They'll be there to cheer for you.

I'm home!

Brother, you're back.

Dad.

-Did you buy it? -Yes, I did.

So many people buying tickets.

Luckily, we booked the tickets. Otherwise, we wouldn't have gotten any.

Bruce, look at this.

Look.

Dad is so excited about your match.

He's pre-ordered a lot of tickets

so that your friends and classmates can go watch you.

Dad also said that

he's organizing a group of friends and relatives to go cheer for you.

What are you guys doing?

Mom, you don't understand.

If Bruce can defeat

that so-called "Little Boxing King" David Cafeld,

he'll become a superstar.

He won't have any problem graduating.

That's right. Mom. After that, he won't have any problems at all.

I don't want Bruce to spend his life fighting.

What if he loses?

Then he'll still be second to the Little Boxing King.

That's still great.

Bruce.

Bruce.

What's wrong with him?

Bruce, why aren't you talking?

So our cheering squad will all be

dressed in yellow on the day? Okay.

Dad, listen.

Xiaoman's dad has made us a lot of yellow vests.

We should also do something to show our support.

I've just done the monthly bookkeeping.

We made a profit this month.

Dad, I'm talking to you.

Did you hear me?

We've already bought a lot of tickets.

What else can we do?

I was thinking. If Bruce wins,

we could hold the celebration here in our restaurant.

We could invite Bruce's master, Mr. Ip.

And?

And Mr. Lee's family.

Who else?

And… many other good friends of ours.

We'll celebrate.

That's it?

And if he loses?

If... he loses...

we could still treat them.

To console them.

All right. Go tell Bruce...

He can only win, not lose.

In Hong Kong, in all these years

we've never defeated the British in any field.

He must win. He cannot lose.

It'll be my treat.

I'll push my luck.

Hey, Bruce, good news.

Xiaoman's father has made yellow vests for the entire cheering squad.

Oh, and my dad said that

he'll treat you to a meal at our restaurant.

Everyone can come here.

For free food and drinks!

Bruce, we'll all be cheering for you.

I bought 50 tickets and gave them to my friends and family.

We'll all be cheering for you.

What's wrong with that kid?

He hasn't said a word all day.

He's been quiet all evening.

He's got a lot on his mind.

Dad, Mom.

I think Bruce has changed.

Maybe he's under too much pressure.

What if he doesn't win?

Did you reserve balcony seats?

Yes, I have.

It'll be an exciting match.

Take everyone to see it.

Don't worry, Master. I've arranged everything.

Come.

Come here.

Let me ask you...

you've fought with Bruce Lee.

Do you think he could defeat the Small Boxing King?

Could you win against...

the Little Boxing King?

If I used my legs...

I'd win for sure.

Legs?

Who the hell made the rule that

you can't use legs?

That rule should be changed in future.

Again.

Master, the bath water for Bruce is ready.

-Where can we put it? -In my room.

-Master. -Master.

-Master. -Bruce, how's your training going?

Good, Master.

How's Bruce's punch today?

He can't focus his power.

The moves are fine, but they're just not powerful enough.

Try again.

Yes, Master.

Bruce, go home and get some sleep.

Master, the competition is tomorrow.

I can't sleep.

You have to rest.

If you don't have enough energy,

you will lose.

I can't lose.

Remember.

If you can't knock David Cafeld down

with one punch in the third round,

you will lose.

Stop training. Get a good night's sleep.

Master, I can't fall asleep.

I have another trick.

Tell me.

Tomorrow,

if you feel tired in the third round

just lie down and rest for a few seconds.

As long as the referee hasn't counted to ten,

you can still get up. You'll feel refreshed.

Master, I don't understand.

Do you really just want to help David and embarrass me?

You tell me to go and sleep.

You tell me to take a beating.

I don't get it.

Go get some rest.

Stop thinking about everything.

I'll be watching the match tomorrow with your brothers.

We'll be there to cheer you on.

Come, have a bath in my room.

A Lin.

We haven't seen Bruce at school lately.

What's he been doing?

What's he been doing? Preparing for tomorrow.

Here. Take this.

Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!

You... you have to let us make a living.

Mr. Qin.

Without us, you wouldn't be able to make ends meet.

If... if you keep hounding business owners to death

what will you guys live on?

You guys,

please tell your boss Mr. Wang that

it's hard to run a business in these tough times.

We can't make that much money.

Save your breath.

Listen! I'm in charge of this area now.

You have to follow my rules.

Besides, Mr. Qin,

you're not the only one we collect money from.

I'm charging everyone in this area.

I'll report you to the police.

Well, do you know how to get to the police station?

I'll take you there.

I'll report to the government.

That's great.

Here's the truth.

If we weren't laying down the law around here,

the government wouldn't know a day of peace.

Mr. Qin.

I've heard that you've made hundreds of vests

just for tomorrow's boxing match.

You obviously have the money.

Stop bullshitting and give us our money.

Right now!

I've worked a month for you for free. For nothing!

But I still have to go on working.

Mr. Qin. That's a good thing, right?

We wish you prosperity.

Let's go.

Take this. I'm going to have a look.

Dad, why were they here again?

I can't keep this business going.

I can't.

Dad.

Wang Lichao, that bastard.

He's a slave driver.

We used to pay him 200 dollars per month.

Now he wants 1000 dollars.

Dad, can't we report him?

Kid, the cops are in league with the gangsters.

How can we depend on a government that's run by the British

to support us Chinese?

Besides, it's about Chinese against other Chinese.

But there's nothing else we can do?

Can't all the businesses on this street come together to report him?

Come together?

Yes.

It's an option.

But not a practical one.

Kid, we Chinese are the least united.

You could contact one shop owner today,

but tomorrow,

he'll go to Wang Lichao and sell you out.

Who is that Wang Lichao anyway?

Why are you all so afraid of him?

He can kill people. He's killed many.

Hurry up!

Come on. Hurry up!

Master Ip!

Today's a big day for your Wing Chun Academy.

Your brilliant student has attracted some interest.

I didn't think you'd come to such a trivial event.

Isn't that Master Ip?

Master Wang is also here.

Long time no see.

Master Ip's student is fighting a foreigner.

I've brought my students to watch.

When did you start teaching Western boxing?

Bruce learned it on his own.

It had nothing to do with us.

-Please. -Please.

Master, let's go inside.

Ruhai!

-I never thought you'd be here! -Thankfully, I had no delays.

-Otherwise I'd regret it forever. -Do you want to see Bruce backstage?

-It's OK. Let him finish the match first. -Okay.

We'll meet up after the match has finished.

Great. Let's go in then.

Let's go. Please.

Brother Ruhai!

Congratulations!

Why didn't you say you were coming?

I was too busy.

Master Ip told me that Bruce is fighting a foreigner.

How could I not come?

-When did you get back? -I just got here. Please.

Give this to the judge.

Great!

The winner is Jason!

Bruce Lee, you'd better perk up.

Shuffle step. Push yourself.

Make sure you defend. Be proactive with your attacks.

Bruce.

Remember Master's words. Don't exhaust yourself.

You must save your energy.

Save your energy.

Remember that!

Seven.

Eight.

Nine.

Ten.

Master Ip.

You've helped Bruce come up with a cunning plan, right?

You don't need to watch the first two rounds.

But in the third round...

you guys better keep your eyes open.

Just watch how Bruce

will defeat David Cafeld.

Master planned it.

Let the foreigner show off for the first two rounds

It'll let Bruce save his energy.

In the third round,

Bruce will throw a single punch and win.

That's correct.

Master Ruhai, you know me well.

Bruce, you need to use all of your muscles

to move fast.

Concentrate on defending yourself,

and attack when you get the chance.

Keep attacking till he's down.

Don't forget Master's words.

Have you got through yet?

No, nobody's answering the phone.

How can you talk about this right now?

Don't think about it.

Don't get distracted.

Maybe his illness has gotten worse.

Bruce Lee, the match is about to begin.

Don't think about anything else.

The only thing you should do now

is to defeat David Cafeld.

Blair's biggest dream was to win the championship.

But I want to know how Blair is doing.

Bruce Lee, get ready.

-Come on. -Come on.

The final match of the Hong Kong High School Boxing Competition

is about to begin.

First, we're honored to welcome this year's challenger, Bruce Lee.

Yay!

Up next,

is the three-time Golden Belt champion of

the Hong Kong High School Boxing Competition, David Cafeld.

Who are you?

The one who's going to take your Golden Belt.

You must be dreaming.

Stop kidding. Go home!

We will see.

I've never fought against a Chinese person.

Chinese don't know the rules.

No matter how you fight, I'm gonna knock you down.

Take it easy, brat.

I'll follow the rules. But if--

But if what, kid?

If there were no rules

I'd beat you within half a round.

Don't break your promise, kid.

You'll find out soon. Wait and see.

We'll see.

Ready.

Fight!

David! Come on, David!

Hit him, David!

David, watch your defense! Watch your defense!

Shuffle step, watch your defense!

-David! -Go, David!

Watch your defense!

Bruce, you idiot!

Listen to Master.

It's not time to punch yet!

Listen! Listen to me!

Bruce Lee!

Bruce.

Calm down.

Defeat David Cafeld.

Only Blair can defeat David Cafeld.

But you can't.

No, I won't lose to him.

Bruce!

Hurray!

Bruce!

That was amazing!

Four.

Five.

Six.

Seven.

Eight.

Nine.

Ten.

Quiet please!

Thank you, Bruce Lee.

You've won the long-awaited championship title for our school.

Thank you, Principal.

We've prepared a party for you.

All of the school's Board Members, teachers and students will be attending.

Bruce Lee, you're the star of today's party.

Please go ahead.

All of the students attending the party

have been carefully chosen by the Principal and us.

We are proud of all of them.

Let's go.

Bruce Lee.

We've learned one of your little secrets.

What secret?

You were born in the U.S.

What's that got to do with what happened today?

We believe it matters.

I'd like to know why my friends A Lin and Qin Xiaoman aren't here.

Maybe they're just not outstanding students.

Bruce Lee!

What's he doing?

I don't know.

Bruce, where are you going?

What are you doing? Come back!

Ms. Ingrid, what's wrong?

I don't know.

He saw the girls who brought him flowers and then just ran off.

We need him here.

Go bring him back.

-Jones. -I'm here.

Go bring him back. Hurry!

Okay.

Hey, Bruce Lee!

Bruce Lee!

Why are you here?

Jones is looking for you.

Let's go. Sit behind me.

Let's go to A Lin's restaurant. I'm not going to the foreigners' party.

Why?

What about the Principal and Board Members?

They'll be so embarrassed.

I talked with A Lin.

He's gone to get our friends and family.

We can go there after the party.

I'm not going.

If you and A Lin can't come, then what's the point.

Get on.

We'll go to Lin's restaurant and celebrate with our loved ones.

Come on.

So you won't go to the party

because I wasn't chosen?

You can't do this.

I'm not a straight-A student. Only they can go to the party.

Then let them celebrate David Cafeld's defeat.

-Get on my bike. -Bruce, you can't do this.

Are you coming or not?

Get on the bike.

Wait for me!

Bruce!

Principal, we'll go look for him again.

I don't think we should force him.

But what should we do about the ceremony?

Bruce Lee won the championship.

We've been dreaming of this.

Just relax, everyone.

Maybe we should think about

how we treat our Chinese students.

I've been teaching for 40 years.

I've never seen a student like Bruce Lee.

Today, I don't know whether I should be happy

or question myself.

It's quite embarrassing.

Come in!

Bruce, is it over already?

There's so many people!

Xiaoman, you're here!

-Come. -Bruce.

Dad.

Who are you looking for?

My Master.

Uncle Shao's back in Hong Kong. He went somewhere

with your Master and Brothers, so he's not here.

Uncle Shao's back? Why wasn't I told?

Uncle Shao went to your match.

Really?

Wang Lichao is here.

Wang Lichao's here.

But we didn't invite him.

It's Mr. Wang.

Mr. Wang.

You guys having a party?

I say, Mr. Lin.

You're hosting such a big banquet

but you didn't tell me about it?

Some friend you are!

I'm sorry. I do apologize.

Well, you see,

this is just a family gathering.

Today, Bruce beat that...

-the Boxing King, David. -Is that so?

So we're all here to celebrate it.

Well, congratulations! Come on, let's celebrate!

Please.

-Mr. Wang, please. -We should celebrate it.

It's fantastic news.

This way, please. Have a seat.

Hey, Mr. Lee!

-Have a seat. -Have a seat, please.

Mr. Lee.

They say, "A noble man comes from a famed family."

Look. You're a renowned actor of Cantonese opera.

And now your son's a celebrity!

Y'know?

I should ask my journalist friend to write a story about all this!

-There's no need. -It's absolutely no problem!

Mr. Lee, this is...

a small token.

Buy some new clothes for Bruce.

You don't need to do this.

Take it, take it.

I'll tell you why.

There hasn't been a Chinese person

who's been as successful as him.

Really?

Bruce has made us Chinese very proud.

That's right.

I can arrange a place

for a good fight.

Bruce!

You've got iron fists,

so you don't have to worry about wealth and glory then.

He's still young and naive.

All right, all right.

All right, folks.

This is a happy occasion for us Chinese.

Let's toast Bruce's victory!

Cheers!

Well, I'm off then.

Have fun!

Let's go.

-Take care. -All right.

So long, Mr. Wang.

Bruce. Bruce...

Come here.

Please sit and have some drinks.

Master Ip, you seem a little irritable.

Lee Haiquan tried to persuade you.

He invited you for a meal.

But instead, you brought me here to

eat nothing but... take-out food.

It's fine. We're friends. I don't mind it.

Bruce's friends and relatives are out celebrating with him.

But we rushed back here to eat cold take-out food.

Why?

I don't like crowds.

Are you upset about today's competition?

Upset? You're joking.

Today's boxing match

was nothing more than a children's game with a few more rules.

-What's there to celebrate? -I don't see it that way.

I think today's a day that

the people of Hong Kong can be proud of.

You saw the match today.

The audience was thrilled. The reporters went crazy!

Bruce defeated David Cafeld

in just a couple of rounds.

This match will go down in Hong Kong's boxing history.

It'll be the cover story of all the major newspapers tomorrow.

They'll all report on this astonishing news.

That's because Hong Kong's a small world.

There's little else to write about.

Let's change the subject.

What about you. Ruhai?

Did you come to watch Bruce's match

or for something else?

I was invited by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce.

They invited overseas Chinese

to come back and discuss the development of Hong Kong.

You know? All of a sudden, I'm in Hong Kong's business circle.

That's great.

I've been doing business in the States all these years,

being little more than a street vendor just to make a living.

No doubt it was because...

my wife's very sick.

She has to take Chinese herbal medicine.

So I've been going back and forth a lot.

More importantly, I received your letter

about Bruce's match against the Little Boxing King.

Of course, I had to come.

Oh, I see.

Please.

I'm so happy back in Hong Kong this time.

As we've seen, Bruce has made quite an achievement.

He defeated David Cafeld.

Do you know what I'm thinking?

That this proves you're a great tutor.

Master Ip.

I'd like to express my appreciation.

Do you mind if I toast with tea?

Talking about today's match,

I feel...

Master, we're going out to get some drinks.

Hey, let's go.

-Please. -All right.

Have a seat.

I guess you understand that...

in today's match,

Bruce didn't follow my instructions at all.

When I saw his first punch,

I thought he'd lose.

However, he ended up winning.

It was a hair-raising victory.

Tell me. Am I getting too old?

Have I become useless?

Master Ip.

I can see why you're not proud of this.

He's a stubborn kid.

Now you understand his character.

When I introduced him to you,

I said that, he was a gifted martial artist.

We always try to conform with the norms of society,

but being unconventional may actually be good for kung fu training.

We all know this.

Bruce is a stubborn type who oversteps his boundaries.

If we take his wits, his power, and his temperament into consideration,

it's very likely that he'll become a great kung fu master someday.

But he's too restless.

He's the exact opposite of his dad.

We need to take our time with him.

If he can learn to curb his temper,

he'll grow up to a real master.

Yes, you're right.

He's an interesting young man.

He certainly makes an impression on others.

You'd either love him or hate him.

I just hope he'll make something of himself.

I may have been a little embarrassed today,

but he still took the championship title away from that foreigner.

That's worth celebrating.

You're right.

Uncle Shao, you didn't even tell me you were back.

I didn't tell you but you still found out, right?

There's lots of food at the restaurant. Why didn't you go?

Master, are you mad at me?

You won the championship.

Why would I be mad?

Because I didn't listen to you today.

You're not happy about it.

Otherwise, you'd have gone to the restaurant.

In that case... Master.

I apologize.

When did you start drinking?

I'm just so happy today.

I had some drinks at A Lin's.

I owe you an explanation.

I thought that...

if I couldn't defeat Cafeld,

I wouldn't give him the pleasure of seeing me vexed.

I didn't want to be beaten. Absolutely not.

Master told you to take a beating in the first two rounds.

Didn't you consider the consequences?

I didn't obey him, but I still won.

I told you to take a beating in the first two rounds

to exhaust his energy.

Think about it. Suppose you'd knocked him down...

but he got back up. What would you have done?

I didn't obey you, Master.

But I won. I defeated him.

You did win.

But, I'd say you just got lucky.

Why did I tell you to take a beating?

It's because I knew you could take it because of your kung fu training.

You needed to tire him out and catch him totally off guard.

Think about it.

It's exhausting for him to keep defending himself.

As is being on guard.

When he'd finally run out of energy, just one sudden One-Inch Punch

would have been enough to win the match.

That's what we call "winning from a position of weakness."

You understand?

Master's reasoning is sound.

But I didn't want to get hit.

My intuition told me...

that I could defeat him within several punches.

I'd been pondering it for days.

If I had followed your instructions...

after two rounds of that, I wouldn't have been able to get back up again.

So I followed my intuition.

Intuition?

Well... from now on, just follow your damn intuition!

Bruce, Master Ip knows what he's talking about.

You need to study your opponent, figure out his strengths and weaknesses.

Know your enemy, know yourself, and you'll emerge victorious.

I won but... Master still isn't pleased.

Subtitle translation by Vicky Wang