A wild, genre-blending tribute to Bruce Lee's legacy, martial arts showmanship, and New York attitude.
FIST OF FEAR, TOUCH OF DEATH
The 3 Greatest Masters!
A reporter interviews fighters and promoters about Bruce Lee, intercut with footage from old Bruce Lee films and pseudo-documentary footage.
Quick Answer
Fist of Fear, Touch of Death is a 1980 Hong Kong/US action, comedy, documentary, and sport film directed by Matthew Mallinson about a TV reporter covering a martial arts tournament to find Bruce Lee's successor, mixing interviews, archival footage, and pseudo-documentary elements.
Programmer's Pick
Only in the world of Bruceploitation could a documentary, action movie, and madcap comedy all share the same screen. Fist of Fear, Touch of Death is a kung fu fever dream that bends reality, star power, and martial arts myth with a wink from 42nd Street.
— SassyFlix Programmer
Overview
Details & Specs
- Director
- Matthew Mallinson
- Writer
- Ron Harvey
- Release
- 1980
- Runtime
- 1h 26m
- Country
- Hong Kong, United States of America
- Language
- English
- Genres
- Action, Comedy, Documentary, Sport
- Also Known As
- Puño de furia, contacto mortal, Conspiração Bruce Lee, Il tocco della morte
Why This Matters
This film exemplifies the Bruceploitation trend, using archival footage of Bruce Lee and capitalizing on his enduring fame and the intrigue surrounding his death to attract audiences after his passing.
Cast & Crew
View all →Why Cult
Combining original footage, redubbed Bruce Lee films, and staged interviews, this film is a wild ride through Bruce Lee myth-making.
The entire spectacle unfolds against the iconic backdrop of Madison Square Garden and Manhattan's 42nd Street.
Expect a parade of fighters and styles, from nunchaku and shuriken to kickboxing and pseudo-karate, all in one tournament.
Blurring the line between spoof and documentary, the film delights in its own outlandishness and cinematic in-jokes.
Scene Gallery
Questions from the Vault
When was Fist of Fear, Touch of Death released? +
Fist of Fear, Touch of Death was released in 1980.
Who directed Fist of Fear, Touch of Death? +
Fist of Fear, Touch of Death was directed by Matthew Mallinson.
How long is Fist of Fear, Touch of Death? +
Fist of Fear, Touch of Death has a runtime of 86 minutes.
What genre is Fist of Fear, Touch of Death? +
Fist of Fear, Touch of Death is a blend of action, comedy, documentary, and sport genres.