Fist of Unicorn (1973)

[mpm74]

Okay, we all know the story about how Bruce was only helping Unicorn Chan with this flick by staging some fight scenes. The Sing Hoi Film Company later spliced his behind-the-scenes footage (via hidden camera) into the actual film.

Bruce's involvement with the film was solely for Unicorn to get his own movie, and The Sing Hoi Film company wouldn't finance it without a boost from Bruce's stardom.

According to HK Cinemagic, it was released in 1973, while Bruce was still alive.

Questions: (edit: did some research and I'm actually answering my own questions....)

1. Lee is listed as "action director" - how many scenes did he choreograph?

Turns out, Lee spent ONE day on the set, giving input on script ideas and going over some fight scenes.

2. Which version (english dubbed or subtitled?) has the most footage of Lee?

3. When exactly was this movie filmed? (After Fist of Fury? Before Way? After Way?)

Filming started in August of 1972, which tells me it was AFTER Way, while Lee was working on Game of Death.

4. If the original title was Fist of the Unicorn, when did it become known as Bruce Lee and I? Is this the U.S. title? Was it the english dubbed title?

5. Did Bruce Lee file a lawsuit, if so, what was the outcome?

After being being credited as "martial arts advisor" and "star billing," Lee issued a legal letter, but nothing further (probably because he was on his way to make Enter the Dragon for Warner) After this incident, Lee's paranoia increased.

6. Did Bruce Lee watch the film?

A possibility. According to hkmdb, Unicorn had a theatrical run during these dates: 03/01/1973 - 03/11/1973

7. Was any of the fake/spliced Bruce Lee footage placed in AFTER Bruce Lee died in later releases?

[ShawAngela]

The only " Bruce Lee and I " that I know is the Shaw Brothers' one with Danny Lee and Ting Pei.

Where did you find that Fist of unicorn is also called Bruce Lee and I ? I wasn't aware of this aka.

[mpm74]

The only " Bruce Lee and I " that I know is the Shaw Brothers' one with Danny Lee and Ting Pei.

Where did you find that Fist of unicorn is also called Bruce Lee and I ? I wasn't aware of this aka.

Yep, Unicorn Fist also had the Bruce Lee and I re-title. So two different movies.

[Killer Meteor]

The US print (with made-up actor names) that was used to make that ancient tape transfer, has both titles on the print.

The scene where "Bruce" trains Unicorn goes totally out-of-sync, and the Chinese theatrical subs even pop up. I'm told the prints were hastily hacked up to remove "Bruce" speaking.

[Karlos]

May be a silly question, but do we know where this was filmed?

[Killer Meteor]

May be a silly question, but do we know where this was filmed?

New Territories, I think

[masterofoneinchpunch]

When you answer your own questions could you put down the source you found it from? I know, but you know how I am .

[mpm74]

When you answer your own questions could you put down the source you found it from? I know, but you know how I am .

lol no problem. The above quotes (not verbatim) were taken from Bruce Thomas' THE FIGHTING SPIRIT (one of the best bios on Bruce Lee ever)...

[masterofoneinchpunch]

lol no problem. The above quotes (not verbatim) were taken from Bruce Thomas' THE FIGHTING SPIRIT (one of the best bios on Bruce Lee ever)...

Thanks. I just added that to my Amazon future purchase shopping list (I have a lot of lists, even on Amazon.) I will purchase sooner than later. I always like when sources are given especially when questions are asked.

[mpm74]

Thanks. I just added that to my Amazon future purchase shopping list (I have a lot of lists, even on Amazon.) I will purchase sooner than later. I always like when sources are given especially when questions are asked.

Oh, BTW, I picked up the UK version, which has a better cover (more importantly, it's heavily revised!). UK amazon has it... it's a great book. He digs really deep into aspects, most notably, what I'm into the most: what went on during the production of his films...

[Phantom Dreamer]

I still have my copy that George Tan released in 2003.

[NoKUNGFUforYU]

All I can say is that the years have not been kind to Fist of the Unicorn. It's a great cast wasted, for the most part Whang In sik, Kurata, Jai, etc. Unicorn just was not much of an athlete, or actor, for that matter. He is more of a sucking black hole who drains the energy from the movie. As I said before, there's a reason he never got another lead role, and I am sure it wasn't just that he crossed Bruce.

[KUNG FU BOB]

All I can say is that the years have not been kind to Fist of the Unicorn. It's a great cast wasted, for the most part Whang In sik, Kurata, Jai, etc. Unicorn just was not much of an athlete, or actor, for that matter. He is more of a sucking black hole who drains the energy from the movie. As I said before, there's a reason he never got another lead role, and I am sure it wasn't just that he crossed Bruce.

Got to agree with you. He was lucky to get to play bit parts IMO. He was just... lacking in so many areas- looks, acting talent, build, kung fu skills... I bought the film as I'd always heard about it and it seemed like it has it's strange little historic place in Asian cinema. Now it has it's own little place on my shelf, right between FIST OF THE NORTHSTAR and FIST POWER, where I doubt it will be disturbed much.

[saltysam]

is the best dvd of this still the average uk 2 disc release?

[bigrogie]

is the best dvd of this still the average uk 2 disc release?

The German version (German audio only) is widescreen and remastered. Was also told it's uncut. It was released as a doubleheader with CLONES OF BRUCE LEE.

[bigrogie]

.....Unicorn just was not much of an athlete, or actor, for that matter. He is more of a sucking black hole who drains the energy from the movie. As I said before, there's a reason he never got another lead role.....

Yeah, he simply sucked! No talent guy period.

[NoKUNGFUforYU]

I have to tell you, I made some serious effort to go see this as a young, scrawny 14 or 15 year old white kid coming from Berkeley to Chinatown. The 70's San Francisco was pretty creepy at times and when I was a little older we saw Hand of Death and one of the punks that worked at the theater were strapped with a 38. This was not the most relaxing thing to see, but they left us alone. Many times I went on my own, and I was not a well off kid, so seeing a piece of crap like this was usually a big disappointment, especially seeing Bruce Lee on the poster. I realize there are a lot of collectors out here, and Bruce Lee fans on here, but your money could be spent better elsewhere. Go get an independent like "Gathering of Heroes" or "Tough Duel' from this period, and there are a lot more that are worth seeing than this flick. For all we know Lee spent as much time, if not more, on the set of some other movies that are better.

[mpm74]

Just added a review for this film:

http://cityonfire.com/fist-of-unicorn-1973-review-bruce-lee-and-i-the-unicorn-palm-bruceploitation-fake-misleading-exploit/

[DrNgor]

4 hours ago, mpm74 said:

Just added a review for this film:

http://cityonfire.com/fist-of-unicorn-1973-review-bruce-lee-and-i-the-unicorn-palm-bruceploitation-fake-misleading-exploit/

Great review. I've Always been curious about watching this on account of the cast. Sadly, it doesn't seem to break any new ground in the genre, even by 1973 standards.

[mpm74]

4 hours ago, DrNgor said:

Great review. I've Always been curious about watching this on account of the cast. Sadly, it doesn't seem to break any new ground in the genre, even by 1973 standards.

It does break new ground: It's the first bruceploitation film

But I hear ya. It's a really odd, dull production. Bland, despite the "who's who" cast. If anything, it's a step back for '73 standards. I always wondered if Bruce actually watched the film.

[DragonClaws]

On 7/6/2017 at 9:08 AM, mpm74 said:

I always wondered if Bruce actually watched the film.

Guess once he found out they were using his name to sell tickets, he passed on watching the movie?.

The clips of him are blink and you'll miss it anyway, maybe the original Hong Kong cut featured more behind the scenes clips?.

 

Here's the movies press conference, the footage often features heavily in Bruceploitation movies. This has been taken from two sources, with the footage towards the end being slightly better quality.

 

(Link Expired)

 

Edited May 15, 2021 by DragonClaws

[mpm74]

21 minutes ago, DragonClaws said:

Guess once he found out they were using his name to sell tickets, he passed on watching the movie?.

The clips of him are blink and you'll miss it anyway, maybe the original Hong Kong cut featured more behind the scenes clips?.

 

Here's the movies press conference, the footage often features heavily in Bruceploitation movies. This has been taken from two sources, with the footage towards the end being slightly better quality.

 

Thanks. this press conference footage mostly reminds me of TRUE GAME OF DEATH "Put it in his drink!"... 

[NoKUNGFUforYU]

I remember reading somewhere that Lee spent a max of 2 days on the set, so, unless he filmed all the fights in those 2 days, his input was minimal. I doubt Lee directed any fights, probably just made a few suggestions. I know that a lot of us fans at the time really looked down on Unicorn Chan for pulling this shit. Pretty sad, considering Lee put Unicorn Fist of Fury and Way of the Dragon. I imagine Linda Lee felt like what the hell when Bruce died and let it go, but who knows. Hong Kong was always pretty sketchy about copyrights, etc.

[KUNG FU BOB]

On 7/6/2017 at 3:39 AM, mpm74 said:

Just added a review for this film:

http://cityonfire.com/fist-of-unicorn-1973-review-bruce-lee-and-i-the-unicorn-palm-bruceploitation-fake-misleading-exploit/

 

Oh, I definitely have to check out your review of this. I have no doubt it will be far more entertaining than the movie!

 

On 7/6/2017 at 0:08 PM, mpm74 said:

It does break new ground: It's the first bruceploitation film

 

Hahahaha...!!!

[Killer Meteor]

This film made me a Pink Floyd fan!