Original subtitles

I'll have the same authority as the director.

-If... If this is too hard for you, then-- -No.

I know what you mean. Okay.

I'll agree to that.

Good. And also, I want to be the stunt coordinator for Fist of Fury.

No problem. I'll accept that.

Good, Mr. Xu.

I'll do a better job than I did in The Big Boss.

All right. I believe you.

Everyone, please get ready.

Is everyone ready?

Photography, lighting, props. Ready?

-Let's get rolling. -Okay.

Director, how do we do it?

-Props. -Yes.

Here's the sign saying, "Sick Man of East Asia."

You'll take it down from above,

-and throw it to the ground. -As simple as that?

-It's written in the script. -That's not enough.

I want to smash it.

Can you smash that?

Even if you could, Bruce, I don't want you to do it.

What if you're hurt? How do we continue filming?

I must smash it. I'll smash it with one kick.

Bruce, I don't get it.

It’s only a prop. Why do you take it so seriously?

That's it. Let's get rolling.

I'll say it one more time. I must smash it.

Bruce...

Is there something wrong with you?

All right, all right.

Let's begin shooting.

I think you're right. I agree with your suggestion.

Qin Xiaoman!

Who do you think you are?

Who gives you the right to comment and act like the boss on set?

Let me tell you this. This is what I hate the most.

We're on the filming set. Who's the boss here?

The director! How actors act is decided by me!

Everyone, listen! Do what you're supposed to do.

Stop commenting however you please on set!

-Do you hear me? -Yes, sir.

-Hurry up. Let's get ready to roll. -Xiaoman, let's go.

You quit? Okay, just quit.

What's the big deal? Damn it! I've directed more than a hundred films.

It's not a big deal for me whether I shoot this film or not.

Director, everything is ready. What should we do?

All right.

Actors, everyone, get ready.

Let's get rolling. Take your place.

All right, get ready. Ready?

Everyone stand by.

Roll.

-Great! -That was great!

Awesome! Fantastic! That was great.

Bruce!

Wait a second.

-That's no good. I want a retake. -Retake? For what?

What else can we shoot?

-Didn't you smash the board already? -Tell them to prepare another.

Bruce, your acting was wonderful. Why do you want a retake?

You don't know? I'll show you something better.

Nonsense.

-Nonsense. -What did you say?

I said this is non--

-How dare you hit me! -Bruce.

-How's the director? -This is ridiculous!

You’re... such a vulgar man!

I tell you.

You can scold me or argue with me but don't you point at my nose.

I hate people pointing at my face. If you do it again...

I'll make sure you can't stand again.

Let's go, Bruce.

If any of you dares to point at me again, my fist...

-will not allow it. -All right, all right!

-Let it go. -Bruce.

Don't move. Let me tell you this.

This will be the last time I work with you.

You think I want to work with you?

You don't even understand the reason I hate the saying, "Sick man of Asia."

You--

Don't hold me. Do you want to hit me again?

-Do it! -Bruce.

I won't fight with someone who isn't a martial artist.

You're not worthy to fight me, either.

Don't fight with him. Let's go.

Director, let's forget it.

-Don't be mad. -Okay.

All right, stop watching.

What're you guys doing? Get back to your work.

Get ready. Come on.

-All right. Prop. -Yeah.

-Prepare another sign. -Okay.

Bruce Lee doesn't like the saying, "Sick man of East Asia."

You prepare the sign, "Chinese and dogs not allowed."

-Okay. -Continue the kicking scene.

Hi, Linda. Sweetie, did I wake you up?

You know what? Fist of Fury has proven to be a bigger success than The Big Boss.

It even brought Hong Kong traffic to a standstill.

The two-dollar ticket is now sold at 45 dollars.

According to the Hong Kong media, the movie-goers have gone crazy.

It’s sensational all over Southeast Asia,

Singapore, the Philippines and even in Japan.

This has never happened before.

Darling, I have an article right here. Let me read it.

It says, "Bruce Lee, in rumpled clothes and looking extremely rustic,

smashes the sign at the entrance of a foreigners' park that displays,

'No Chinese and dogs allowed.'

It's such a powerful kick.

Will the other self-proclaimed kung fu stars be able to do

what Bruce Lee did?

Moreover, Bruce Lee goes to a Japanese martial arts house alone.

He shouts and then knocks down dozens of martial artists

at that martial art house. It's such a terrifying shout!

Can the other kung fu stars shout like that?"

Darling, what's wrong?

You must be overjoyed. So happy that you're crying?

Linda...

My dear, don't be like that. This is my gift for you and our kids.

Yes. Whatever you need, I'll send it to you.

Bruce! No, don't hang up.

These are the letters from your fans. Hold them.

Linda, I have good news for you.

Fist of Fury has been showing for only two weeks.

The box office has already reached four million Hong Kong dollars.

This is another legend in the Hong Kong film industry.

It's unbelievable!

All right... Linda’s on the phone, Bruce.

What's up, Linda?

I guess you won't be able to sleep tonight.

Darling, what did you say? Why didn't you tell me earlier?

Please attend his funeral on my behalf.

Bruce, what happened?

Bruce, what happened? Say something.

Say something. What's going on?

-Uncle Shao has passed away. -Uncle Shao? Who is he?

I'm going to take a walk.

Linda, let's go.

I feel sad that Bruce couldn't attend Uncle Shao's funeral.

He passed away suddenly.

I'm sure he'd understand Bruce.

That's amazing. Is that Bruce Lee?

William, he’s on every newspaper.

Here's an article written by an American journalist.

-Read it. -You want me to read it?

Yes, read it.

It's a good article. The journalist says, "The authentic kung fu in this film

is the most extraordinary kung fu performance

we've ever seen on film."

In fact, what he's trying to say here, is that this unique type of action film

can definitely be on a par with any type of movie.

There are also plenty of compliments here.

Of course, these are for Bruce Lee.

Bruce Lee is famous now.

I have many articles about his film, Fist of Fury.

-Do you want me to read them? -No, no.

Are you trying to tell me that Bruce Lee should come back

-and that I made a huge mistake? -Didn't you?

No, no... George.

You know that it was not my fault.

No, no. Let me tell you.

Because of the emergence of Bruce Lee, Hong Kong cinema will find its niche

in the international film industry

However, he's only famous in Hong Kong, not in Hollywood.

Regarding Bruce Lee, honestly,

I just wish you'd admit that we made a mistake.

You know I can't do that.

But we have to admit that both of Bruce Lee's Hong Kong films,

The Big Boss and Fist of Fury, did well in the American box office, too.

Boss, you can go out and see for yourself. Bruce Lee has many American fans.

Even his strange shout has become a trend that youngsters follow.

Go to the streets in Los Angeles.

You'll see policemen using nunchaku instead of nightsticks.

Really? Even L.A.'s policemen have become Bruce Lee fans?

Everyone likes him.

Is that right? Maybe you should bring him back.

It's impossible to bring him back now, you know.

Why? How about we invite him back and shoot a film in China?

You think that'll work?

Get him back and send him to China for filming?

Let me tell you that it is impossible.

-Perhaps we can try. -You know, perhaps you're right.

-We'll see about that. -Sure.

-Hi, Linda. -Hi, George.

Please help me.

Enjoy.

My dear Linda.

Bruce Lee's successor seems to be growing up fast.

And there's also a little swords-woman.

Yeah. What brings you here today?

I have good news for you.

Good news?

-Come in, please. -Let's go.

Bruce, you're such a man of steel.

You have a busy schedule, but you're still training hard.

I'm used to it. I have to do 200 more.

What brings you here?

Continue your practice and I'll speak from here.

Recently, I bought a pretty good script.

-Do you want to take a look? -What is it about?

-Smiling Tiger. -Who wrote it?

That's not important. The most important thing is,

no matter who wrote it, you have the right to modify it.

The story is based on a famous writer's life.

Director Huang just finished a book of directing based on this story.

Director Huang?

Didn't he say that he wouldn't work with me again?

He’s just pissed. Isn't it normal to argue on set?

Let's not talk about this today. I'll tell you something else.

I have a newspaper here. Of course, this is just a low-level tabloid

that digs up secrets and rumors about movie stars.

This paper exaggerated your conflict with Director Huang

and added highly colored details to it to make it look like something real.

Since our success in Fist of Fury, this is the first negative article.

I'd like you to cooperate with Director Huang,

to respond to these misleading news in the tabloids

and eventually scotch these rumors.

That's not necessary. They are right.

I do have conflict with Director Huang. This report is true.

That's a fact.

How should I say this?

Bruce, I hope this has nothing to do with Qin Xiaoman.

Qin Xiaoman?

What does it have to do with her?

That's right.

It was a little conflict between you and Director Huang

while you guys were working together.

-It has nothing to do with Qin Xiaoman. -Yes.

The tabloid paparazzi made it up to drag Qin Xiaoman into it.

The article suggested that your conflict with Mr. Huang

happened because you were fighting for Qin Xiaoman's favor.

How loathsome!

They can say whatever they want. No one will believe it.

Bruce, with tabloid rumors like these,

if you want to clarify, you'll only get hurt.

The only way to scotch these rumors is for you to work with Director Huang again.

Bruce...

wherever humans exist, conflict exists too.

Your teeth even bite your tongue, sometimes.

But once trivial matters like this become a material for the media,

they'll exaggerate it.

This is not only your conflict with Director Huang at work,

it'll be described as dirty laundry for our company.

It'll also relay incorrect information to the general public.

It's not a good thing for you or Golden Harvest.

I know what you mean. Leave the script.

-We'll talk again after I read it. -Good.

Bruce,

I have two tickets to a Cantonese opera performance.

Let's go together and have some good times.

What's the show?

The Reconciliation.

Mr. Xu, that's very thoughtful of you.

I'll read the script, carefully. As for the show, I'll have to pass it.

Okay.

Baby, here we are.

-My dear! -Sweetie!

Shannon, baby. Come here. Give Daddy a hug.

-Come here, baby. -Are you happy to see Daddy?

We miss you so much.

-I don't blame you. Daddy's bad. -What's happening, Shannon?

Linda, why didn't you tell me you were coming in advance?

We talked about it and we want to give you a surprise.

This is truly a big surprise!

Bruce, we'll take a look around. Brandon, follow me.

Come on. Give Daddy a big five.

Let's go, Brandon.

-Come. Let's go in. -What is that over there?

Okay!

It's very crowded.

Okay!

Wenhuai...

You brought me here to watch this show today.

I'm sure you have an axe to grind.

I'll be frank.

Actually, I wanted to invite Bruce Lee to watch it with you.

I went to his house and he seemed exhausted,

so I didn't invite him.

Wenhuai...

you've put a lot of thought in.

I'm fine, no matter what.

Golden Harvest is my employer, anyway. I have no problem with it.

But Bruce Lee is a celebrity now.

He thinks he’s the best. Will he still respect others?

Mr. Huang, Bruce’s still young.

-He may have said something wrong. -But--

You're a veteran in this industry.

Don't bother yourself arguing with the likes of him.

Compromise will make a conflict easier to resolve, all right?

You and Bruce Lee are two main pillars in Golden Harvest.

If both of you don't get along well,

Golden Harvest will not be stable. I am concerned about it.

Hello, who's this?

-Hello, is that Bruce? -Xiaoman.

What's up? Why are you calling so late?

The owner of Taiwan Pearl Enterprise wanted to say hello.

He wants me to introduce both of you.

What's happening?

They want to invite you to produce a film with them.

Actually, a few production companies have already come to me.

But there’s only one Bruce Lee. I can't divide myself.

Bruce, for my sake, please accept their offer.

If it's about money, I believe it’s negotiable.

They promised to give you five times more than Golden Harvest paid you.

What do you think?

Let me think about it.

I'm busy now. We'll talk about it next time. Bye.

The kids are asleep?

Yes. Qin Xiaoman is also offering you a contract?

A dozen companies have come to me. I'm tired of it.

Linda, tell me what I'm supposed to do in a situation like this?

Bruce, I have another company that wants to work with you.

-Which company? -You remember Hollywood?

George?

George paid for my trip to Hong Kong this time.

They want to invite you back to Hollywood.

Now that we're done with Fist of Fury,

Bruce's contract with Golden Harvest has also ended.

Based upon Bruce's box office record...

any company would want to have him on board.

I'm sure the number of production companies

that have gone to Bruce Lee won't be less than a dozen.

-I'm afraid-- -Listen to me.

We’re in an era in which no one is a superhero.

Do you know that?

This isn't an era that a hero can be a hero

and stay one for a hundred years. In this era...

another hero will emerge any moment and take over the other hero's place.

It's all right. Just let it be.

You're right.

Our survival doesn't depend on anyone else.

But our company just got on the right track,

and now it's about to collapse, again.

Think about it. If we don't have Bruce Lee,

how do we get a record of three or four million dollars?

If there’s no box office guarantee, how can our company become stronger?

Then, tell me. What should we do? Say it.

Mr. Huang, what I want to say is, first of all,

we must film Smiling Tiger as soon as possible.

This way, we'll be able to keep Bruce Lee.

Secondly, during shooting of this film,

we should satisfy all of his requests.

I mean, we have to give him more authority.

What else do you want to give him? What?

Do you want him to take my place as director?

Let him be the director?

That's exactly what I mean.

Wenhuai, are you serious? You even want me--

You want me to give up my director's position to Bruce Lee?

No, no, no. I don't want you to give up your position.

I just want you and Bruce to be co-directors.

Giving Bruce Lee a director's title

is merely meant to satisfy his false pride.

But you still have the director's authority.

We've been working together for many years.

We know each other well.

We founded Golden Harvest together.

So, for my sake, please just compromise a little.

Or perhaps, a little sacrifice.

I, Xu Wenhuai, shall never forget your contribution.

Furthermore...

Golden Harvest's is our shared business.

I'm begging you.

You.

Okay!

This contract from Hollywood is much more important than the others.

Will you sign it?

Why didn't George come to Hong Kong personally

but sent you as the lobbyist instead?

Actually, George doesn't expect you to sign the contract.

Of course I won't sign it.

Why not? Isn't it your dream to go to Hollywood?

Now that this filmmaker in Hollywood has promised

you can film this anywhere you like. What else do you want?

Good question. What do I want? I want the respect of the Chinese.

This is important.

Bruce, I hope you don't become irrational.

Is this irrational?

Listen to me. I'm not.

How did they replace my leading role in Kung Fu?

And the sequel to The Green Hornet, why did they cancel it?

Furthermore, why was the Silent Flute aborted, when I put in so much effort?

It's because of my skin color. It's because I'm Chinese.

This is how Americans feel about Chinese people.

Whenever I think of what happened in Hollywood, I get really pissed.

Fortunately, I'm not dreaming anymore.

It wasn't until I came back to Hong Kong that I realized this is my home.

When I'm here, not only can I fulfill my dream,

I can also find my dignity here.

Bruce...

You know what? No one blamed you for your choice.

Your success in Hong Kong

has proven your value to those people in Hollywood.

That's why they came to you again for the filming of Silent Flute.

Why do you want to reject it?

In Hollywood, there’s only profit, no sincerity.

I understand.

If you want to be respected in Hollywood,

you have to prove yourself with your ability.

Bruce, you've already proved yourself.

The American media even compares you to Douglas and Steve McQueen.

It's the best time for you to return to Hollywood.

But you’re being so irrational.

I will not return to Hollywood just like that.

I have my plan.

As for signing The Silent Flute contract, forget it.

You've disappointed me so much.

Linda, you shouldn't persuade me on George's behalf.

All right, what is your plan then?

I'll show you the result.

I can only tell you that I have a crazy plan at the moment.

Bruce...

Hello, is that George?

Yes, this is George. Bruce rejected us.

-He rejected us? -Yes, he did.

As we expected.

It's not my fault.

Darling, it's 3:00 a.m. now. Why are you still up?

-Look, what is this? -Aren't you tired?

This is part of my plan.

What's wrong? Are you okay?

I have a little headache. I'm okay, now. I'm really okay, now.

-You should go to hospital for a checkup. -Take it easy.

You never had a headache like this before.

It's been like this for a while, now.

Maybe too much staying up late. Don't stare at me like that, Linda.

I'm all right. I'm totally fine. I want to work a little longer.

I said this before. Even if you're made from steel,

steel can get rusty, too. You have to stop working, now.

Come to bed. Come on.

-You must rest, okay? -Yes, madam. I'll listen to you, okay?

-I caught you. It's too late for regrets. -I'll behave.

No regrets.

-You go in first. -We'll go in together.

-I'll be right there. -You first.

You first.

Wenhuai, what's going on?

Bruce Lee took my script two weeks ago but I haven't heard a word from him.

-Sit, sit. Please sit down first. -That's too much.

Mr. Huang,

the thing I feared most has maybe already happened.

Look at this newspaper. A huge company in Taiwan

offered Bruce Lee very high pay.

I'll be frank.

You may have treated him well.

You gave him whatever he wanted.

But he still swapped to another company. This is too much!

All right. For my movie, Smiling Tiger, I'll get the cast from Taiwan this time.

No one can beat Bruce Lee's box office value.

He doesn't want to work with us. What can you do about it?

We can't give up.

I'll go see him again. I'm going to have a good talk with him.

-Master, do you still want to watch it? -Play it one more time.

Master, you've watched it eighteen times.

-Shut up. -Okay.

Baby, come on. Sit on Daddy's lap.

Who's this?

Hello?

Hello?

-Who's this? Speak up! -Pick it up.

Darling, who's calling?

Did you offend someone in Hong Kong?

I did.

When I was 18, I offended some Hong Kong gangsters

and I had to leave for the States.

-Have you forgotten about it already? -I'm not in the mood to joke.

Gangsters blackmailing celebrities happens everywhere.

That phone call was strange.

Relax, sweetie, it could be some production company looking for me.

I often receive phone calls like this. Just ignore it.

No one was talking on the phone. That made me nervous.

My God!

Don't worry. It must be Mr. Xu. I'll get the door.

I can't do anything about your daddy.

Mr. Xu, I was about to look for you.

-I'd visit you had you not come. -Yes.

-Please. -Good.

Bruce, I appreciate your kindness in working with me for so many years.

-Please accept this. -What is this?

-It's a bonus for you from our company. -Bonus?

But it wasn't mentioned when we signed the contract.

When we signed the contract,

no one expected the two films that you starred in would be such big hit.

Mr. Xu...

You're very thoughtful indeed.

You never allow the others find an excuse to leave you.

Bruce...

please don't think about leaving Hong Kong.

You must have seen today's newspaper.

Yes, I saw it.

Okay, it’s true.

Not only the Taiwan company,

but dozens of other companies came to me as well.

But until now,

I haven't committed to any of them.

If I tell you this, will you believe me?

I believe you.

But with this terrible script,

it'll be difficult for me to work with Golden Harvest again.

Then, do you have any suggestions for modifying the script?

I don't.

I'm not interested enough in this script, to even mention any suggestions.

Actually, it's not only this script.

In my opinion, most of the scripts in Hong Kong

can't even be regarded as scripts. Most of them have a vague story line.

They just write for whatever they're supposed to shoot.

The scenes, the actions, and the dialogues,

are merely made spontaneously.

Can you produce good films with these kinds of scripts?

What are you talking about?

Do you not want to work together with Director Huang Li or...

do you not want to renew your contract with Golden Harvest?

I couldn't make up my mind to leave Hong Kong

because of Golden Harvest and you, Mr. Xu.

Bruce, I see what you mean.

What if I have Huang Li and you co-direct the film?

Co-direct? Will he agree to do it?

I don't care if he agrees or not, as long as you agree.

If you can make such a decision, why can't you let me be the director?

Well...

Subtitle translation by Loretta Kok