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The Big Boss (1971)
Lee had spent most of the 1960s in American television, leaving behind Hollywood after a supporting role in 1969’s Marlowe. And with 1971’s kung-fu action film The Big Boss, directed by Lo Wei, Lee would revitalize his image and career with this runaway success. Lee is charming as Chinese immigrant who leaves behind his country existence to obtain a position alongside his cousin at a Thai ice factory. As soon as he arrives, his commitment to pacifism is immediately put to the test when there’s an altercation in which he must protect the virtues of a young woman accosted by a gang of miscreants, with his cousin arriving just in time to show Lee the ropes. Eventually, he discovers the ice factory is a front for a heroin ring, the owner using the ice to transport the drugs (as well as hide human bodies of factory workers who discover his secret). Efficiently paced, well-choreographed and full of entertaining moments featuring Lee, The Big Boss is the prototype for the template Lee would use over his next three features.

Extras:

• Audio Commentary One - this audio commentary was recorded by critic and Bruce Lee aficionado Brandon Bentley in 2016.

• Audio Commentary Two - this audio commentary was recorded by Hong Kong-film expert Mike Leeder in 2013.

• On The Big Boss - n this new program, biographer Matthew Polly (Bruce Lee: A Life) discusses the production of The Big Boss. The program was created for Criterion. In English, not subtitled. (11 min, 1080p).

• Alternate Footage -
1. Alternate Opening Credits
2. Alternate Ending
3. Extended Scenes

• Bruce Lee: The Early Years - in this archival program, martial arts instructor Gene LeBell discusses the evolution of Bruce Lee's career. In English, not subtitled. (14 min, 1080i).

• Bruce Lee vs. Peter Thomas - in this video essay, critic Brandon Bentley discusses the creation of a soundtrack for The Big Boss by composer Peter Thomas, which is offered as bonus option on this release. In English, not subtitled. (3 min, 1080p).

• Trailers and TV Spot - vintage trailers and TV spot for The Big Boss.

Fist of Fury (1971)
Lee immediately reunited with Lo Wei for Fist of Fury, a period piece set in 1910s Shanghai. Though it was an even greater hit than their previous endeavor, major disagreements between star and director led to their irrevocable dissolution as collaborators. The tension is palpable in the final product, which suffers from lagging narrative energy and a variety of cliches which were less apparent in The Big Boss. Lee, once again, is an innocent who arrives as a student to be trained by a martial arts master. But when the master is murdered by a rival dojo of Japanese imperialists, it falls upon Lee to seek vengeance. However, he’s punished for his disobedience of the law, which features heavily in the film’s final, notable moments.

Extras:

• Commentary - Hong Kong-film expert Mike Leeder discusses in great detail the production of Fist of Fury, Bruce Lee's career and the evolution of his style, the socio-political overtones in the film (the Chinese vs. the Japanese), some interesting cultural stereotypes, etc. The commentary was recorded in 2013.

• On First of Fury - in this new program, biographer Matthew Polly (Bruce Lee: A Life) discusses the conception of Fist of Fury, Bruce Lee's involvement with the film and the character he plays in it, the evolution of his fighting style, his action star image, and some of the political overtones in the film. The program was created for Criterion. In English, not subtitled. (10 min, 1080p).

• Alternate Opening Credits - presented here are opening credits that were used for different releases of the film.
1. The Chinese Connection (2 min, 1080p).
2. First of Fury Japanese Version (6 min, 1080p).

• The First Lady - in this archival interview, actress Nora Miao discusses her contribution to Fist of Fury and specifically what it was like to work with Bruce Lee. There are some particularly interesting comments about her training by martial arts masters/choreographers. The interview was conducted in 1993. In Cantonese, with imposed English subtitles. (18 min, 1080p).

• Blade of Fury - in this archival interview, actor Riki Hashimoto recalls how he was cast to play his character in Fist of Fury and the type of improvisations he did during key action sequences. The actor also discusses some of the main differences -- that existed at the time -- between Hong Kong and Japanese films. The interview was conducted in 1993. In Japanese, with imposed English subtitles. (13 min, 1080p).

• Master of Bushido - in this archival interview, actor Jun Katsumura discusses his background. martial arts experience, and contribution to First of Fury. The interview was conducted in 1993. In Japanese, with imposed English subtitles. (13 min, 1080p).

• Yuen Wah - in this archival interview, actor Yuen Wah recalls his past work as a double, including his contribution to Fist of Fury. In Cantonese, with optional English subtitles. (11 min, 1080i).

• Trailers - a gallery of vintage trailers for Fist of Fury. (18 min, 1080p).

The Way of the Dragon (1972)
Lee wrote, produced and directed his third outing in The Way of the Dragon, which finds Lee traveling to Rome, this time to help his cousin’s restaurant which is being threatened by a gang of criminals who wish to own it for themselves in a bid to control the entire territory. Injecting a bit of cultural humor which feels Chaplinesque, this is more lighthearted and well-rounded for Lee compared to the two previous features. More extravagantly choreographed kung-fu sequences lead to a climax in which Lee faces off with Chuck Norris (supposedly a minion of the gang plaguing the restaurant) in the Colosseum, their only audience a mildly interested kitten.

Extras:

• Commentary -Hong Kong-film expert Mike Leeder offers an in-depth analysis of The Way of the Dragon and overview of Bruce Lee's career and work. It is a typically great commentary that fans of the film are already familiar with as it has appeared on previous home video releases. The commentary was recorded in 2013.

• On The Way of the Dragon - in this new program, biographer Matthew Polly (Bruce Lee: A Life) explains why The Way of the Dragon occupies a special place in Bruce Lee's body of work and discusses the film's conception and reception. The program was created for Criterion. In English, not subtitled. (9 min, 1080p).

• Legacy of the Dragon (2001) - this archival documentary focuses on the life and career of Bruce Lee as well as the enduring appeal of his films. Included in it are clips from interviews with karate world champion Joe Lewis, producer Andre Morgan, actors Sammo Hung and George Lazenby, martial arts instructor Taky Kimura, and producer Russell Cawthorne, amongst others. In English, not subtitled. (47 min, 1080i).

• Alternate Opening Credits - presented here are opening credits that were used for different releases of the film.
1. Version One (3 min, 1080p).
2. Version Two (3 min, 1080p)

• Bruce Lee Remembered - in this archival program, Sammo Hung, Flora Cheong-Leen, Simon Yam, Clarence Fok and Wong Jing, amongst others, discuss the impact Bruce Lee had on the evolution of Hong Kong cinema and action actors in general. In English and Cantonese, with optional English subtitles where necessary. (8 min, 1080i).

• Kung Fu? - in this archival program, actor Jon T. Benn remembers Bruce Lee and discusses his contribution to The Way of the Dragon. In English, not subtitled. (22 min, 1080i).

• Promotional Materials -
1. Vintage trailers for The Way of the Dragon.
2. One vintage radio spot.

Enter the Dragon (1973) Theatrical Version
And then there’s the absolute pinnacle of the Hong Kong martial arts craze with the seminal Enter the Dragon, which found Lee returning to Hollywood to create what would stand as his final and most enduring masterstroke directed by Robert Clouse. Although it features all the period trappings of misogynist tendencies evidenced in the film’s closest cousins, the rampant exploitation films of the 1970s, the formidable kung-fu sequences are the greatest feature. Lee, who has gone undercover by joining a competition on a remote island organized by a renegade monk who might just be operating an opium trade, is joined by fellow competitors John Saxon and Jim Kelly for a trifecta of various styles, skills and attitudes (and let’s not forget a minor role for Marlene Clark as Saxon’s secretary).

Extras:

• On Enter the Dragon - in this new program, biographer Matthew Polly (Bruce Lee: A Life) discusses the conception of Enter the Dragon (as a Chinese James Bond film) and Bruce Lee's involvement with it. There are also some quite interesting observations about the different changes that were made to have the original script work for Lee as well as Robert Clouse's direction. The program was created for Criterion. In English, not subtitled. (10 min, 1080p).

• Blood and Steel - this archival documentary examines the production of Enter the Dragon and Bruce Lee's film career. Included in it are clips from archival interviews with producer Fred Weintraub, writer Michael Allin, cinematographer Gil Hubbs, actors John Saxon and James Coburn, and others. The documentary was produced in 2003. In English, not subtitled. (31 min, 1080i).

• Bruce Lee: In His Own Words - this archival documentary combines vintage footage with Bruce Lee in which he discusses his martial arts philosophy and approach to acting. The documentary was produced by John Little in 1998. In English, not subtitled. (20 min, 1080i).

• Linda Lee Cadwell - in this archival program, Bruce Lee widow and bibliographer Linda Lee Cadwell discusses her relationship with the martial arts star and his activities as a performer and educator. The program was produced in 2003. In English, not subtitled. (17 min, 1080i).

• Tung Wai - in this archival interview, actor and action choreographer Tung Wai recalls his first encounter with Bruce Lee. In Cantonese, with optional English subtitles. (4 min, 1080i).

• Promotional Materials - in English, not subtitled.
1. Electronic Press Kit (8 min, 1080i).
2. Vintage Trailers (10 min, 1080i).
3. TV Spots (6 min, 1080i).
4. Radio Spots (1 min, 1080i).

Game of Death (1978)
And then there’s the unfortunately conceived Game of Death, a project Lee had been working on with Clouse prior to filming Enter the Dragon in 1972. Five years after Lee’s death, Clouse took what little footage Lee did film on the project and spliced it with footage of Lee from previous films while employing two doubles wearing sunglasses, and even cardboard cutouts as he recommenced the project with a new cast, including Coleen Camp, Dean Jagger and Gig Young (which would also be the final film of the latter).

Chuck Norris and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are featured from previously filmed footage, but neither agreed to return for Clouse’s remount. This time around, the Lee character is a famed martial arts star who a nefarious crime syndicate desires to control. After staging his own death and obtaining plastic surgery, he goes on a rampage of vengeance, assisted by a journalist (Young) and his girlfriend (Camp). An all around unfortunate and ill-conceived endeavor, it’s a Lee feature for completists only.

Extras:

• Commentary - Hong Kong-film expert Mike Leeder discusses in great detail the production of Game of Death, its placement in Bruce Lee's body of work, the era in which the film emerged, etc. The commentary was recorded in 2013.

• Game of Death Redux - produced in 2020 by Alan Canvan, this presentation of Bruce Lee's original 1972 Game of Death footage features new vocal performances, edits, and mixing. Dolby Digital 2.0. (35 min, 1080p).

• On Game of Death - in this new program, biographer Matthew Polly (Bruce Lee: A Life) discusses the conception of Game of Death and Bruce Lee's involvement with the film. The program was created for Criterion. In English, not subtitled. (7 min, 1080p).

• Alternate Footage -
1. Alternate Opening Credits (2 min, 1080i).
2. Alternate Endings - three final sequences used for different releases of the film. (5 min, 1080i).
3. Deleted Scenes - four deleted scenes.
4. Outtakes (4 min, 1080i).
5. Bloopers (3 min, 1080i).

• Game of Death - in this archival video interview, actor Robert Wall recalls his contribution to Game of Death and what it was like to work with Bruce Lee. In English, not subtitled. (29 min, 1080i).

• Trailers - vintage trailers for Game of Death. In English, not subtitled. (6 min, 1080p)

Game of Death II (1981)
Game of Death II, also known as Tower of Death, is a very strange project. It is a cash grab disguised as a sequel to Game of Death that essentially borrows footage from other Bruce Lee films and then mixes it up with some extra footage directed by Ng See-Yuan. The film was apparently created for the Japanese market, where the original film became a massive hit.

Extras:

• Alternate Opening - alternate opening for Game of Death II sourced from a VHS. (3 min, 1080p).

• Bruce Lee: The Man and the Legend (1973) - this archival documentary film chronicles the life and work of Bruce Lee. It features clips from interviews with biographer and widow Linda Lee Caldwell, Chuck Norris, James Coburn, Robert Wall, and others. With optional English subtitles. Dolby Digital 1.0. (87 min, 1080p).
1. Last respects
2. Fundamentals
3. Film career
4. Unique action
5. Back to Hollywood
6. Sorrow

• Trailers - vintage Japanese trailers for Game of Death II. With optional English subtitles. (7 min, 1080p).

• Trailer - vintage for Bruce Lee: The Man and the Legend . In English, not subtitled. (3 min, 1080i).

Enter the Dragon (1973) Special Edition
This release features the slightly longer 103-minute 'special edition' version of the film, which has an extra scene and dialog not present on the 1973 theatrical cut (99 min).

Extras:

• Commentary - this archival commentary was recorded by producer Peter Heller in 2003.

• Risk and Reward - in this new video program, producer Andre Morgan discusses his work for the Golden Harvest company and the popularization of martial arts films in America. There are also interesting observation about Bruce Lee's image in America. The program was created for Criterion in 2020. In English, not subtitled. (17 min, 1080p).

• Bruceploitation - in this new program, author Grady Hendrix explores the many Bruce Lee imitators that emerged during the '70s and '80s. The program was produced for Criterion in 2020. In English, not subtitled. (11 min, 1080p).

• Bruceploitation Promos - a collection of trailers for some popular bruceploitation films. In English, not subtitled. (14 min, 1080p).

• Match the Lips - in this new program, voice performers Michael Kaye (the English voice of Bruce Lee's Chen Zhen in Fist of Fury) and Vaughn Savidge recall their work on creating English dubs tracks for martial arts films. The program was produced for Criterion in 2020. In English, not subtitled. (12 min, 1080p).

• The Grandmaster & the Dragon - in this archival documentary, Wing Chun grandmaster William Cheung recalls his relationship with friend and training partner Bruce Lee. The documentary was produced in 2009. In English, not subtitled. (55 min, 1080i).