The Chinese Connection (1972)

AKA Fist of Fury. The Big Boss made Bruce Lee known, but Chinese Connection is the film that truly made the Chinese audience love him and worship him. Rightfully so, for this is Lee’s best movie. He plays Chen, the top disciple of a revered kung fu master, recently killed under mysterious circumstances. Chen’s spirit burns with a sense of duty, a desire for vengeance and an indomitable will to uphold the pride and rights of his people in a time where they are treated as second class citizens in their own land.

Lee truly showcases his talent as an actor by bringing his character to life with such a wide range of emotion and depth. It totally overshadows his role in Enter the Dragon, where his character is little more than a subdued killer who gets to spout a few lines of philosophy.

Directed by Wei Lo. With Bruce Lee, Nora Miao, James Tien.