Review of Goodbye Bruce Lee: His Last Game of Death (1975) by Eric R — 11 Jan 2011

Do my eyes deceive me? Is this a properly remastered Bruceploitation film in itâ(TM)s correct widescreen ratio? Holy shit it is! Sure there are multiple DVDs of this trashy martial arts film available but Anchor Bay Entertainment was nice enough to unleash âGoodbye Bruce Lee: His Final Game of Deathâ? in an amazing edition (that is currently out-of-print) that sheds crystal clarity onto the eyes of us fans. Though it may not be one of Bruce Liâ(TM)s finest films, Iâ(TM)m still happy as a pig in shit to finally see one of his films with such a great presentation.

The plot is a strange one as Bruce Li basically plays himself as a martial artists who is hired by film producers to finish Bruce Leeâ(TM)s unfinished epic âGame of Deathâ? due to the fact Li looks an acts just like him. The rest of the film is the movie that was being filmed with Li going after goons who trick him into delivering money for drugs they kidnap his girl so he has to fight his way up a six story tower defeating a different boss on each floor in order to save her.

The set up for this film is bizarre as the first 1/4 is Bruce Li being hired to replace the dead Bruce Lee for his final film and the last 3/4 is the movie with in the movie without acknowledging the first 1/4. Confused yet? This film is known to confuse some but one just has to role with it.

I do have to give this trashy martial arts film credit as it tried to stay true to Bruce Leeâ(TM)s original vision of âGame of Deathâ? unlike the real film âGame of Deathâ? which was finished by filmmakers in 1979 completely changing Bruce Leeâ(TM)s original concept around. Even so this is still a rather poorly made martial arts film (is any Bruceploitation film truly well made?) though it tries to stay true to the Lee legend while at the same time exploiting his fame. The ending fight scenes with Li ascending the tower doesnâ(TM)t hold a candle to Leeâ(TM)s originals that he filmed for âGame of Deathâ? but they are still entertaining, just more in a cheesy aspect.

Bruce Li fits the Bruce Lee role perfectly (not only does he look like Lee but he is also a great fighter, itâ(TM)s just a damn shame he never got better scripts) and why the hell didnâ(TM)t they hire this guy to play Bruce Leeâ(TM)s character when they actually finished âGame of Deathâ? in 1979? I mean itâ(TM)s a given he was born to do so!

Though not a good film I still encourage even Bruce Lee fans to see it just to see what Leeâ(TM)s original vision for the plot of âGame of Deathâ? really was. Hell to be honest this film might even be better than the actually âGame of Deathâ? minus the amazing fight footage Bruce Lee filmed before his untimely death.

Did I forget to mention Anchor Bayâ(TM)s DVD is amazing? It just brings a tear to my eye that they planned to release other Bruceploitation films with proper transfers if âGoodbye, Bruce Leeâ? sold well but of course it didnâ(TM)t. I would have killed for DVD editions like this for Liâ(TM)s better films âExit the Dragon, Enter the Tigerâ?, âReturn of the Tigerâ?, âFist of Fury IIâ? and âEdge of Fury.â?