Original subtitles

Come on. Time to eat.

Come on. Let's eat.

It seems that Wing Chun Fist is really powerful.

-Come on. -I know.

-Thanks. -The key to Bruce's kung fu is...

attack!

To attack in a straightforward way. Let all those moves and methods

go to hell.

Am I right? Am I correct?

There's another keyword, fast!

Right, right, right.

At the speed of lightning, attack your opponent directly. Right?

-You're quite smart. -Of course.

If I learn your kung fu,

I'll bring down those damn white guys who've humiliated me.

I'll let them kiss my ass.

-Learning kung fu is not for fighting. -Bastard Jesse.

Am I right?

Bruce, I'm feeling

that becoming your student is the best decision I ever made.

Certainly.

Kimura is right.

To follow Bruce is also my best choice of this lifetime.

Look, our martial arts school is like the United Nations.

Kimura is Japanese,

Blair, British,

and me, Bastard Jesse,

an African American.

Together, we will leave a legend in American history.

Bruce, I have another person to recommend to you.

-Who? -A Filipino, Inosanto.

I know him. You told me about him in Hong Kong.

He's a great martial artist.

-Please introduce us. -Okay.

If one more Filipino joins us, our United Nations will be more powerful.

Right?

-The sooner, the better. -Okay.

I'll arrange a meeting soon.

Great.

Kimura has learned Japanese martial arts since he was young.

Blair has been practicing western boxing.

I've learnt a lot from you guys.

There is a saying in Chinese,

"One may have acquaintances all over the world,

but few are true friends."

How about me?

Of course you're my good friend.

I'm your student, forever.

You guys do your kung fu research.

I'll take care of the miscellaneous stuff, including driving.

You need someone like me, right?

Yes, we need you.

But, Jesse, I've no money to buy a car now.

I can't pay you a lot either.

Master, don't say that.

I just want you to treat me as your student.

Of course, I'll be more than happy, if we can become good friends.

It's so wonderful to have friends like you guys.

You know, I'd like to have Prof. Kane

give us theoretical guidance now.

I also want to ask Uncle Shao...

to help us with studying different Chinese martial arts.

Based on my networking in Seattle over the years,

I can also find some masters to spar with.

That'll be great.

I can't wait to meet with these masters right away

for some sparring, so that we can learn.

Are we going to take another beating?

Taking a beating?

Taking a beating is actually a good way of learning.

Now I have Prof. Kane to give me theoretical guidance.

I have you guys too. Most importantly,

there's me, a great martial artist, who's putting in great effort.

I believe my martial arts theory will be mature soon.

So, let's start right away.

All right!

All right!

Wait a moment.

Please come in.

-Blair. It's you! -Prof. Inosanto.

Yes, it's me!

-Oh, my! I can't believe-- -You didn't expect me, did you?

You're all grown up!

-My God! -I'm so pleased to see you.

-I'm so happy. -Really?

Come on. Please come in.

-Come. -It's a long story.

-You look a lot like your father. -Really?

This is a nice place, right?

-Here. -It's nice.

My God, I'm so glad you're here.

-Have a seat. -Thanks.

-How's your father? -He's fine.

I haven't seen him for a long time.

Prof. Inosanto, what's wrong?

I'm fine. Just an old ailment.

Let's talk about you. Blair, why did you come?

To be honest,

I don't know how long I'm going to stay.

My real purpose of coming here

is to see a friend of mine. His name is Bruce Lee.

Bruce Lee.

-Yes. -Wait a second.

I've heard of him. He's a student at Washington State. A philosophy major.

That's him.

You've heard of him?

Yes, I have.

I read some reports about him on the newspapers.

They were lavishing praise on this amateur boxer.

Mr. Inosanto, in fact, Bruce Lee

is a really sharp martial artist.

He's really sharp?

Right.

That's probably not true.

I heard that this so-called sharp martial artist is rather arrogant.

But he was beaten by Yamamoto in a few easy moves.

Was he?

Blair, let's not talk about this.

Prof. Inosanto,

the main purpose of my visit is,

I'd like you to meet with Bruce Lee.

I hope you can guide him.

Meet with him? No, no, no.

Listen, Blair.

I don't think it's necessary.

I've been busy with writing a book about boxing.

I really don't have time for other things. Really.

In this case…

I guess I won't bother you.

No, no. It's fine.

I didn't come at the right time.

All right. Go get busy. I'll visit again another day.

Are you okay, Blair?

Are you unhappy with my decision of not seeing Bruce Lee?

Of course not. I just feel that you're too busy.

There're a lot of studies that need your attention.

Let's see. Though I'm really busy,

I can still meet with your friend.

But not right now.

I've seen you grow up from this tall.

Of course I'll accede to your request.

Oh, what are your plans? Be a diplomat like your father?

No, That's not part of my plan.

I want to go to the Washington State University.

-There… -Really?

Yes, I'd like to study athletics theories.

That's great. I'll show you my department, and my new book.

-All right. Come over. -Okay.

Here. Sit down.

-Let me show you. -Is this your research?

These, too. And this one. This is our new outline.

I know. I see a lot of related materials here.

Right.

These are my favorite books, they're closely related to my theories.

I'll pass them to you next time…

If you want to refine your martial arts, you have to meet with Wally Jay.

What does he practice?

Jujitsu, Japanese jujitsu.

Wally Jay's jujitsu is excellent. He claims he has no equal.

Sounds like he's bragging, but he's good.

Please find a way to introduce me to him.

I'd like to learn jujitsu from him.

I'm not a friend of his. We're merely acquaintances.

I've also heard that he is arrogant, not easy-going at all.

All capable people are like that.

Please think of a way to let me see him.

I want to create my own boxing style.

There's a lot to learn from these masters.

-I'll try. -Okay.

Hi!

Blair. Did you visit Inosanto? When can we meet?

I did visit him. But he has no time right now.

No time?

He refused to see me?

You can say that.

I understand.

What Wing Chun Fist master?

Chinese martial artists only know fancy moves.

They shouldn't learn jujitsu.

They should learn dancing or acting.

Bruce Lee is a true martial artist.

All of you are Asians.

Mr. Jay, you don't know him yet.

Stop the flattery.

I think you should meet with Mr. Lee.

I won't. This kind of person is not worth my time.

Can you let him be your student?

I never accept Chinese students.

It'll be a humiliation if do that.

Wing Chun Fist has its strengths,

as well as its weaknesses.

Are you still thinking about Wally Jay's jujitsu?

We should learn whatever is useful.

Good. Again!

Bruce,

there're many other martial artists in the U.S.

I'll recommend some to you.

Don't be too hung up on Wally Jay's jujitsu.

I've read about it.

His jujitsu is practical.

I'd like to meet with him and learn from him.

But he's too arrogant.

-I really can't help. -Try again.

Maybe I can challenge him,

and learn in an actual combat.

How about this? I'll ask him to accept me as a student.

I'm a Caucasian.

He might not reject me.

What? You?

Yes, I'll go learn from him and teach you.

Isn't it the same?

But do you think this is honest?

Bruce, listen to us.

Martial artists ought to learn from one another,

so that they can improve.

All right. Blair, remember to put your heart in it,

and try to learn the essence of jujitsu.

Okay.

Let's eat.

Pay attention.

One, two, three, four.

Get up!

One, two, three, four.

Good. Get up.

Our jujitsu is the most powerful wrestling technique.

No other wrestling styles can defeat us.

Come over.

Take aim. Come on.

Make him lose balance first. Then, it'll be easier.

Go back. Your turn.

Look carefully.

This is called, defeating the opponent in one move.

Go on. Who's up next?

There are a lot of strengths, as well as weaknesses in Wing Chun Fist.

I want to incorporate the hand techniques and footwork of jujitsu.

I'll also integrate the footwork of western boxing with Wing Chun Fist.

The improvised Wing Chun Fist

will integrate the essence of other martial art forms

and remove all complicated and impractical moves.

Do the buttock wrestle.

Break it down.

First. Good move.

Second. Not bad. Go on.

Three. Throw.

Good.

A new boxing technique! Good thesis!

Prof. Kane, is there any problem with my paper?

You've chosen a path fraught with difficulties.

Bruce, your progress really pleased me.

Not long ago, you told me

you were bored as you didn't have an equal in Seattle.

I told you to defeat yourself, because the biggest adversary is yourself.

It seems that you've changed your view.

Yes. I was as superficial as "a frog in the well" when I said that.

The world is big.

I just didn't realize it.

After I was beaten by Yamamoto,

I felt I had to improve myself by competing with myself.

As long as I push myself to the limit,

when the day comes, if I want to defeat anyone,

it'll be easy.

I'm happy to hear this, Bruce.

What you intend to create will be epic.

I think it'll be incredible.

But still, I have a lot of theoretical questions.

Please sit down. Have a seat.

Prof. Kane, these issues are make me perplexed.

No.

Bruce, you're no longer confused.

Your proposed new style,

is new in its concept.

I feel that

you've discovered the core issues of martial arts.

Right now, you are making use of the strength of your opponent's attack

to counter-attack.

In terms of boxing, it is your way of attacking.

In terms of style, it's an incorporation of many, right?

Are you listening?

I thought of this name with my intuition.

Bruce, you have a good intuition.

You're almost a martial arts genius.

Genius? No, no, Professor. Please don't say that.

Cut the Chinese style humility.

It's not that. I won't say I'm a genius,

I'm just diligent.

No, Bruce, you're a genius.

Do you know what a genius is?

It is a logical sub-consciousness.

What a genius does is motivated by his sub-consciousness.

Logical sub-consciousness?

-I don't get it. -All right. Let me tell you.

When a genius is doing things, he doesn't think too much.

Prof. Kane, how can I do things without thinking?

Listen, what a genius does

is usually spontaneous.

There is no mark of craftsmanship. Everything is simple.

They normally make logical decisions

for their lives and careers in a subconscious way.

Thus, they can reach a level that others can't.

That's because of the precision of their logical sub-consciousness.

Prof. Kane, about my new boxing style…

from your philosophical perspective, what do you think?

I've already answered you on how to interpret "new".

Bruce, you'd better realize that

your new style has to be built on the foundation of the Chinese Philosophy,

so that it can continue developing.

Prof. Kane, in China,

there are many philosophical books.

Their theories are quite different.

Professor, in my case,

which school of philosophy should I use for my martial arts research?

Especially, for my new boxing style.

What you're creating is fundamentally Chinese martial arts.

The Confucianism and Taoism

have had tremendous influence on kung fu.

You can draw the essence from other schools of thought

and graft them onto the tree of Chinese martial arts.

Confucianism values harmony and moderation,

Taoism pays attention to dialectics and perception.

-Zoom in to the core of kung fu-- -Dialectics and perception?

-and simplify those complicated theories. -Simplify?

How should I do it?

You've almost found the core issue of simplification.

Let me ask you:

Martial arts maybe complicated, but what's its simplest issue?

Tell me.

Don't hesitate.

Just tell me what you think.

We'll discuss it together.

That'll be offense and defense.

Bruce Lee, intelligence and determination are part of you.

Your insistence on philosophy leads to your pursuit of truth.

Bruce Lee, I have read your paper.

I can understand your thoughts on martial arts.

Look at this dialectics picture.

It is very persuasive.

It's a simple symbol, clear cut and easy to understand.

Prof. Kane, you mentioned about the symbol being simple,

clear cut and easy to understand. Simple, clear and easy to understand.

Simple but overly simplistic.

Right, apply this to your thesis.

Complexities are simplified. Simplicity makes one relaxed.

I must relax, simplify complexities and disentangle the truth from falsehood.

I mean, release myself from complexities.

Exactly.

Relax yourself, release yourself.

Be the master of yourself.

The world is ever-changing.

One who can understand and control this transformation

can be a true master of yourself.

Bruce, your paper

has highlighted this point. It's just that you didn't elaborate on it theoretically.

That's why I said you have to understand Chinese philosophy.

I have to think through what the Taiji symbol embodies again.

Yes, Bruce.

Remember, don't complicate the problem.

Someone who complicates the simple things may make a good philosopher.

Isn't that very true?

Philosophers like to perpetually make simple things very profound.

Finally, they can't even explain their own theories.

But the real wise men, the real geniuses,

will simplify all things complicated,

such that it's as simple as can be.

Chinese culture is deep and profound,

because the ancient philosophers could simplify the complexities of the world.

I Ching's Yin and Yang Theory, Laozi's Tao,

as well as "moderation" in Confucianism, are all like this.

Bruce, you've simplified complicated martial arts theories

into two words, offense and defense.

Prof. Kane.

My biggest dream now, is to establish my own martial arts school

to promote my new martial arts and let people understand kung fu.

You want to open your own martial arts house? That's great.

In that case, don't come for class anymore.

Just do your own things,

and utilize all your spare time

to study these two words:

offense and defense, or you can say, Yin and Yang.

I believe you'll do a great job.

Thank you, Professor.

Stop.

Listen.

When you practice the basics,

I want you to follow the rules.

But in a fight, I want you to forget all the rules.

Be spontaneous.

Wing Chun Fist

is a practical boxing method.

Practicality is the foundation of boxing.

Don't limit yourself.

Otherwise,

Wing Chun Fist will be meaningless.

-Got it? -Got it.

All right, go on.

Okay. Take a break.

I'll fight with Jesse.

Come on. Attack.

Come on.

Attack and defend simultaneously. Again!

See it? One more time.

Speed is crucial.

One more time.

One more time. You practice.

Work hard.

Any questions?

-Look. -Come on. Beat me. Be fast!

Be fast!

Come on.

Your movement was too big, so you exposed your intention.

Watch how you punch.

Be efficient when you punch. Keep a distance.

Relax your muscles.

Watch me, like this, relax.

Let's do it again.

Again. Let's continue.

Go on. Good.

Bruce.

Bruce, come here.

I've learn a lot from Wally Jay.

We can spar

and see if there's anything special about his jujitsu.

Okay, start attacking.

-Right, do your best. -Okay.

-Attack me. -Okay.

Come on.

Get up, go on.

His strokes are brutal, you must be careful.

All right, come on.

How's this? I can clutch your throat very quickly.

-Great! -Did you see that?

This is what I learned from Wally Jay.

His jujitsu is brutal, almost deadly. You can hardly defend yourself.

Right.

Bruce, if you fight with Wally,

what are your chances of winning?

It's hard to say. But I can find a way to overcome this.

Blair, you've done a good job. Thank you.

One, two,

three, four.

Good. Do it again.

Blair's purpose of coming to our school is not to learn,

but to steal our skills. He's teaching Bruce Lee jujitsu.

Bruce Lee, how dare you send someone to learn my skills on the sly!

Get up. Look.

Wally Jay's "elbow strike" is effective.

Most people use their fists to fight. But the fist isn't as strong as the elbow.

Here. Hold me.

Hold me tight.

Jujitsu isn't simple indeed.

Come. Do it again.

Make a feint attack.

Bruce, this move is simple yet brutal. Fantastic!

Blair.

You've been learning from Wally Jay for quite some time.

-Yes. What? -All right, you practice with Kimura.

Good. Come on.

You have to practice if you want to improve.

Your practice session has to be like actual combat.

Otherwise, it'll be inefficient.

Today, to improve our jujitsu skills, we'll start the actual combat training.

Spread out, everyone.

You.

Me?

Use all your moves.

You'll see a tussle as real as an actual combat.

Attack me!

Be a man.

Don't be a coward.

Get up.

Get up.

Attack.

Tell Bruce Lee, this is jujitsu.

I'll let him have a real taste of jujitsu.

Bruce, bad news.

What's up?

-It's Blair. -What's wrong with him?

He got wounded.

What?

Let's have a look.

I'll avenge you.

Bruce, don't be rash. You can't defeat him yet.

He almost punctured Blair's throat. I need to avenge him.

Jujitsu is deadly. We can't blame him.

Okay, stop!

Bruce, think further.

What is your goal?

It's not to fight.

Blair got hurt because of us, and because of our common goal.

Bruce, if you just want to show off,

whether you defeat Wally Jay

or vice versa,

your aim of learning jujitsu to enrich yourself will be in vain.

Blair's injury will be in vain too.

Bruce. You're always telling me to control myself and be moderate.

How come when things happen, you can't even control yourself?

Think it over carefully.

I have to settle scores with Wally Jay.

All right.

I'll think of a way to arrange for a competition between you and Wally.

Okay. I'll send him a letter of challenge.

-Hello, James. -Hi!

Have a seat.

What can I do for you?

Kimura sent me a letter of challenge. Bruce Lee wants to fight with me.

Bruce Lee wants to fight with you? Is he going to lose his spine and ribs?

I don't get it, James. Why would a nobody like him dare to challenge me?

Go on.

Something's fishy about this.

Bruce Lee is small and slim,

and only 140 pounds.

He's no match for me.

Is he plotting something?

That's right. I find it a little odd too.

Will he use some secret weapon?

What? Where is this taking place?

In a public venue.

In a public venue?

He can't use secret weapons.

If he's not using secret weapons, why would he dare to fight me?

He's crazy.

He's just too cocky.

Totally arrogant.

Only a maniac would risk his life like this.

So I'm here to discuss with you.

It seems that

I've to seek help from a friend of mine.

Who is that?

Inosanto.

I know him. He's a professor at an athletic school.

Right. You know what?

He's the "King of Stick Fighting" in the Philippines.

Really, is he?

James, you know what?

I've been to all over the world to collect these books and materials.

It took me over twenty years. These books have become part of me.

Right.

Have you started your research on boxing?

Yes, I have.

Look, I've listed the outline and content of chapters.

That's a lot.

I guess I have to take them home to read carefully.

Are you sure?

James, you specialize in boxing theories.

Your comments will help me a lot in writing my book.

Professor...

I've always liked your books.

I'm honored to be of help.

Thank you very much.

Oh. I'd like to ask you about something.

Go ahead.

Do you know a Chinese martial artist called Bruce Lee?

Yes, I've heard of him. He's a student at the Washington State University.

I've seen the reports of him in the newspapers.

I heard he opened a martial arts school in a basement in Chinatown recently.

Right. That's him.

What's wrong? James.

He challenged Wally Jay.

He challenged Wally Jay?

My God. How is this possible?

It's true.

I saw the letter of challenge.

I don't know what this is for.

We found it very strange.

I hear he teaches Wing Chun Fist.

Prof. Inosanto,

the Philippines isn't very far from China. There are a lot of Chinese over there.

Yes.

You know Chinese better than Americans do.

Tell me, will he use some secret weapon in the competition?

No, no. No way.

He won't do that for sure.

Although, I don't know him personally,

I've heard that the Chinese believe in integrity.

Chinese martial artists value their dignity a lot.

To quote them, it's shameful to use secret weapons.

I've never seen Bruce Lee before,

but I've heard his kung fu is quite good,

and he has moral values.

I feel that we don't have to worry about this.

That's a relief.

Now, I'm starting to have a little bit of respect for him.

I must watch this competition.

James, arrange and set the venue as Seattle State Park.

We'll exchange pointers with the local experts after that.

Okay. I'll let you know once it's all arranged.

We'll head there together.

Great.

All right. I won't bother you anymore.

I'm heading off to read your writing.

All right. Bye.

James.

Please tell Wally Jay, although Bruce Lee is full of himself,

please don't treat him too seriously.

He's still a young man.

We were young once.

-Right? -All right. No problem.

-Okay, see you. -See you.

See you.

Bruce, you're getting better now!

Blair, feeling better?

-Yes, much better. -Okay.

What's most important now,

-is to find out how to defeat Wally Jay. -That's right.

Bruce, I'll practice with you. Blair will be your instructor.

-Okay. -Come on.

-Come on. -Get ready.

Beautiful! But pay attention to your defense on your left.

Good.

Do it again.

Good. Bruce, it's a good move.

Get up.

Very good.

Blair, your injury will not be in vain. I'll get even for you.

Bruce, drop this.

Don't forget your goal.

Yes, Bruce.

Your aim is to improve your kung fu, not take revenge.

You're right. I'm not out to take revenge.

That's right.

Bruce, let's continue.

I'm relieved that Prof. Inosanto said so.

However, you shouldn't look down on him.

He dares to challenge. It means that he has the ability.

In just ten seconds,

I'll break his arms and legs.

Mr. Inosanto wanted me to let you know.

He said, Bruce Lee challenged you,

because he's too young and naive.

However, he hopes you can spare him.

Why should I?

His challenge is a form of disrespect.

If I don't maim him people will disrespect me in the future.

I don't understand. What is this for?

I don't think opponents should hurt each other in a martial arts competition.

For dignity, I must do this.

But, James…

Relax, I know what I'm doing.

Good.

Tomorrow morning, I'll fight Bruce Lee in the park.

Please go watch it.

You'll learn what Wally Jay's jujitsu is like.

Bruce Lee has overestimated himself. I couldn't believe he came.

I have to say, I admire this Chinese man's guts.

Indeed. But there is another possibility.

He doesn't know Wally Jay and his brutality at all.

Wally Jay's hands have put an end to countless martial artists' careers.

I'm worried for this Chinese.

But I haven't seen authentic Chinese kung fu for a long time.

I'm looking forward to it.

What are you up to?

Subtitle translation by Min Wei Wong