Opinions on Bruce Lee wanted

[Si Williams]

I am a student studying at Manchester University England and have chosen for my final project to investigate into the image of Bruce Lee. I am in need of various views and opinions on the man, both good and bad so please be truthful. I have constructed a small questionnaire that shouldn't take you long just to get a concensus of what his fans think. Please take it seriously and avoid one word answers, as i am trying to produce a well researched piece of work, that would do Bruce Lee justice.

On your replys could you put the number of the question you are answering next to your resonce so i know what question your answering. Thank you.

1. Why do you believe that Bruce Lee has aquired such a huge fan base?

2. Do you think that over the years Hollywood has tried to change or even exploited the image of Bruce Lee?

3. Do you believe that Bruce Lee is the greatest martial artist that has ever been in the public eye?

4. Do you believe that Bruce Lee was years ahead of his time in regards to him trying to change old traditional styles?

5. Do you agree with ther changes he made on a practicality level, or would rather that the tradional styles be left alone?

6. How do you think Bruce Lee should be remembered?

If you've taken the time to complete this short questionnaire properly so it is of use than i am extremely grateful, and am certain to pick your brains at a later date if need be. Cheers evryone.

[AlexJitsu]

1. Why do you believe that Bruce Lee has aquired such a huge fan base?

His Kung Fu movies to the general public, and his revolutionary Jeet Kune Do system to the martial artists.

2. Do you think that over the years Hollywood has tried to change or even exploited the image of Bruce Lee?

Yes, Bruce "Le" and various "Look-a-likes", all ruin his image. Also, The Game of Death was totally screwed up and should have never been released as a full movie.

But martially, hollywood has nothing to do with Bruce Lee.

3. Do you believe that Bruce Lee is the greatest martial artist that has ever been in the public eye?

No. His style was revolutionary, but what most people don't understand is that there is always someone better than the next guy. Was Bruce Lee better than many people? Hell yes. Many people have accounts of Wong Jack Man and Sammo Hung beating him in a fight. Is there proof? Not really.

Another thing is that he never really competed on a regular basis.

4. Do you believe that Bruce Lee was years ahead of his time in regards to him trying to change old traditional styles?

Yes, however I disagree with his "changes". His training was right, training should be done with sparring, heavy bags, and all of the "aliveness".

5. Do you agree with there changes he made on a practicality level, or would rather that the tradional styles be left alone?

No. His training ideas and conditioning ideas were correct, however I disagree with his martial changes and his attitude. Most styles are effective on there own, and it's the training that needs to be altered for this day and age. Back in days before guns, street fights, robberies, and hand-to-hand combat were probably common enough that you never needed to "spar" like in this age.

Bruce Lee was also very arrogant. He said stupid things like, "I could defeat anyone", "I could defeat anyone with "conditioning" lower than mine..."



6. How do you think Bruce Lee should be remembered?

He had some good ideas, but he shouldn't be worshipped.

[koto_ryu]

>>1. Why do you believe that Bruce Lee has aquired such a huge fan base?

On the screen, he was a very fast and skilled fighter. He was in incredible shape and was fast and fluid with all his motions, not the choppy methods used by many of the actors of his time. He was a good actor and put on a good show.

>>2. Do you think that over the years Hollywood has tried to change or even >>exploited the image of Bruce Lee?

Of course, they try to do that to everyone. Once Bruce died, a number of off-shoots made movies imitating his name closely, and now you can get bobble-head Bruce Lee dolls and T-shirts of him everywhere.

>>3. Do you believe that Bruce Lee is the greatest martial artist that has >>ever been in the public eye?

Actually, if it's worded that way then yes, he probably is the greatest in the eyes of the public. Is he the greatest of all time? No, but he'll always rank up high in my book.

>>4. Do you believe that Bruce Lee was years ahead of his time in regards to >>him trying to change old traditional styles?

Considering ever since the days of feudal Asia when many people created their own styles and manuvers and often cross-trained in martial arts, he was far from revolutionary but did cause people to step back and take a better look at what they were doing.

>>5. Do you agree with ther changes he made on a practicality level, or >>would rather that the tradional styles be left alone?

Effectiveness is always appreciated, so sure, he did some good.

>>6. How do you think Bruce Lee should be remembered?

He was a skilled martial artist and actor, as well as one of the most fit people on the planet in his day. Remember him like that.

[Hwa Rang]

1. Why do you believe that Bruce Lee has aquired such a huge fan base?

Because of his movies that revolutionised martial arts films and because of his introduction to MMA and due to his success as both an actor and an MAist.

2. Do you think that over the years Hollywood has tried to change or even exploited the image of Bruce Lee?

Definately, the Game of death is an obvious example of this as Hollywood utilized his famous image to make a crap film look good.

3. Do you believe that Bruce Lee is the greatest martial artist that has ever been in the public eye?

Yes I do think that Bruce Lee is probably the greatest MAist the public has ever seen. However I'm not saying that he is the greatest MAist ever.

4. Do you believe that Bruce Lee was years ahead of his time in regards to him trying to change old traditional styles?

Yes, I believe that the concept of researching various styles and taking only the knowledge you need is a brilliant concept that all MAists can easily apply.

5. Do you agree with ther changes he made on a practicality level, or would rather that the tradional styles be left alone?

I believe that the changes he made were made on both a practicality level and a personal level as JKD is different for everyone as you chose what MA you'd like to use.

6. How do you think Bruce Lee should be remembered?

As a great MAist that was a pioneer of MMA, a good man that cleared up a lot of racism issues in America and a very successful actor and MAist.

[hornet]

1. Why do you believe that Bruce Lee has aquired such a huge fan base?

He was I the right movies at the right time.

2. Do you think that over the years Hollywood has tried to change or even exploited the image of Bruce Lee?

Hollywood exploit? Please. It gives itself. Follow the money. Bruce is $$$.

3. Do you believe that Bruce Lee is the greatest martial artist that has ever been in the public eye?

Nope. He was to hung up on his daydreaming to get really great. He was good enough I guess. And today you have had all kinds off martial artist i the public eye. Back then he might have been.

4. Do you believe that Bruce Lee was years ahead of his time in regards to him trying to change old traditional styles?

Nope. A lot of other styles have sprung to life before Bruce that tried to change traditional styles. Eks: Yi Quan and Aikido.

5. Do you agree with ther changes he made on a practicality level, or would rather that the tradional styles be left alone?

Both yes and no. You see many traditional (chinese) styles had what bruce talked about. He often turned to inferior (japanese) styles to make his point.
He was in many ways a rebel without a cause. His points was valid in a certain context. Taken out of that context they would fall apart.

6. How do you think Bruce Lee should be remembered?

As an actor with a some background in wing-chun and a lot of playing around on his own. (Not, that it's anything wrong with playing around.)
He is the one responsible for bringing martial arts into the public eye.
With all the positive and negative that brings.
He is not a hero, but he's not a villain eighter.

[m.artist]

1. Why do you believe that Bruce Lee has aquired such a huge fan base?
I believe it was because of the fact that bruce was not some bumbling, stereotypical "chinese man" in a "cheesey kung fu film" There were hardly any strings, if any. He was ACTUALLY TALENTED. He could act, he could fight and above all, it was fun to watch him. Now when he was alive, i think those are the main reasons. Now that he is dead though, i think he has gained even more popularity due to Ma's becoming more and more prominent, and people looking for things that would actually help them out as far as self defense is concerned. Also, once people start getting into his art, and books, and philosophy, the start watching his movies, and thus become even more enveloped with the martial artist that was Bruce Lee.


2. Do you think that over the years Hollywood has tried to change or even exploit the image of Bruce Lee?
No I really don't. I think after "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story" was made, Hollywood realized that the best thing to do was leave Bruce Lee to Bruce Lee and his family. There have been many documentaries, and the good things about those are that it keeps his name and legacy alive as a person and martial artist.

3. Do you believe that Bruce Lee is the greatest martial artist that has ever been in the public eye?
I think so. I think even if he weren't in the public eye, and he was able to accomplish everything he did, he would still be considered one of the best.



4. Do you believe that Bruce Lee was years ahead of his time in regards to him trying to change old traditional styles?
I'm not sure if "years ahead of his time" is entirely appropriate, but I do think that what he did, caused alot of commotion in the Ma's during those times, and because of that, was able to influence many many peoples outlook on the ma's and that practicality


5. Do you agree with the changes he made on a practicality level, or would rather that the tradional styles be left alone?
Of course I agree. In today's world terrible things are everywhere!! You can't rely on a pre-arranged set of moves when your life is on the line!. We need something more practical. And thanks to Sifu Bruce, we have things like Defendo, Senshido, MMA, F.I.G.H.T and other great self-defense and self-offense programs out there that extensivley sstudy ways to make life safer. I do think though that if you are doing a traditional style, you are getting something out of it. Be it, flexibility, increased speed or strength. You know, whatever. But I think JKD and others like it offer more to the common indiviual.


6. How do you think Bruce Lee should be remembered?
I think he would rather you remember him that way you think is best. That was his philosophy. Do what works for you. If Bruce Lee influenced you to be in better shape, to win more competitions, to become a better person, teacher, martial artist, or anything, as long as he is remembered for what he did for the individual, I don't think he would be complaining anytime soon.