The Big Boss (1971)

The Big Boss Poster
Original Title: 唐山大兄

Chen is a city boy who moves with his cousins to work at an ice factory. He does this with a family promise never to get involved in any fight. However, when members of his family begin disappearing after meeting the management of the factory, the resulting mystery and pressures force him to break that vow and take on the villainy of the Big Boss.

Introduction
The Big Boss, originally launched in 1971, is a Hong Kong martial arts film widely acknowledged for being Bruce Lee's very first significant movie. This iconic movie was directed by Lo Wei and produced by Raymond Chow. The film was initially titled "Fists of Fury" in the U.S.A., however later on re-titled as "The Big Boss" to prevent confusion with Lee's next film.

Plot
Bruce Lee stars as Cheng Chao-an, a Chinese guy who relocates to Thailand to deal with his cousins and operate in an ice factory. He assures his mother not to get associated with any battling. Nevertheless, he quickly grows suspicious of the factory's activities when two of his cousins mysteriously disappear, and he uncovers the dark tricks of the factory.

One night, he comes across his associates secretly pressing packets of heroin from ice blocks. After being interrupted by Cheng, they murder him, however he escapes and notifies his friends and family. They challenge the factory management however are brutally beaten and eliminated, leading Cheng to break his vow of non-violence.

Action and Climax
Angered by the ridiculous murders of his cousins and coworkers, Cheng fights his method through different henchmen, showcasing Bruce Lee's extraordinary martial arts skills. The battles are violent, extreme, and highly elegant, setting the template for many martial arts films to follow.

Cheng ultimately confronts Hsiao Mi, likewise referred to as 'The Big Boss' (played by Han Ying-chieh), a callous male running the factory as a drug trafficking front. After a grueling fight, Cheng pierces Hsiao Mi with his own fingers, ending the reign of the Big Boss.

Ending
As remuneration for the trouble he caused, Cheng is apprehended. The film ends with his associates mourning his loss as he is being taken away by the authorities, representing his sacrifice for justice to dominate. Nevertheless, this ending also speaks volumes about the expense of fighting corruption, shown through the terrible fate of the lead character.

Impact and Legacy
The Big Boss was instrumental in establishing Bruce Lee as an international martial arts superstar. Despite its low budget plan, it was a massive box office success in Hong Kong and globally, thanks to Lee's charismatic efficiency and unmatched martial arts expertise. The motion picture set the groundwork for subsequent martial arts movies and significantly added to bringing the category into mainstream movie theater.

Also, the film initiated a sequence of effective collaborations in between Lo Wei and Bruce Lee, adding to a brand-new age of martial arts movies and inspiring an international interest in Eastern martial arts.

Conclusion
"The Big Boss" is an influential movie in the martial arts category, its harsh battles combined with styles of commitment, corruption, and the expenses of justice create an engaging narrative that's made more potent by Bruce Lee's iconic performance. While visually striking, the movie likewise tells a story of an underdog standing versus the evils of society, making it not only a fantastic action film however also a significant critique of corruption. Even half a century later on, "The Big Boss" stays among the most prominent martial arts movies, and a testimony to Bruce Lee's long lasting tradition in the film market.

Top Cast

  • Bruce Lee (small)
    Bruce Lee
    Cheng Chiu On
  • Maria Yi (small)
    Maria Yi
    Chiao Mei
  • James Tien Chuen (small)
    James Tien Chuen
    Hsiu Chien
  • Marilyn Bautista
    Miss Wuman
  • Han Ying-Chieh (small)
    Han Ying-Chieh
    Boss Mi
  • Tony Liu (small)
    Tony Liu
    Boss Mi's son
  • Lee Kwan (small)
    Lee Kwan
    Ah Kun
  • Nora Miao (small)
    Nora Miao
    Lemonade girl
  • Kam Shan
    Ah Shan
  • Chan Chue
    Factory manager
  • Li Hua-Sze