Birth of the Dragon 2017

In 1964, a young Bruce Lee presides over his Kung Fu Academy in San Francisco, imparting wisdom about the art of Wing Chun to eager students. Beyond simply teaching martial arts, Bruce also protects his followers from the dangers posed by local Chinatown gangs. One of these students, Steve McKee, finds himself increasingly frustrated during a sparring session; in response, Lee skillfully counters and humiliates him, igniting a series of events that will challenge McKee’s resolve.

Working alongside his friend Vinnie Wei at his mother’s laundromat, McKee becomes aware of Wong Jack-man, who is quietly observing the American kung fu scene. While making a delivery to China Gate, McKee is enchanted by Xiulan, an employee barred from interacting with outsiders. Determined to connect with her, McKee makes a daring choice to visit the restaurant, bringing along an English grammar book and offering to teach her roommates basic language skills.

As McKee acquires knowledge about Wong, who is washing dishes at the restaurant, Lee grows worried about Wong’s presence, suspecting he may face repercussions for teaching kung fu to non-Chinese individuals. Concerned for McKee’s wellbeing, Lee requests that the two meet, which eventually happens at the Long Beach International Karate Championships. Lee captivates the audience with an impressive karate demonstration, showcasing his iconic one-inch punch. Among the spectators is Wong, who acknowledges Lee’s talent but insists that he is limited by his own approach. Their encounter turns into a spirited debate of philosophies, concluding with Lee issuing a challenge as Wong exits amicably.

As McKee learns about Wong’s backstory—specifically his act of penance for a near-fatal kick known as the Mon Shan—Wong sees an opportunity for liberation by teaching McKee. When McKee informs Lee of his decision to leave the academy in pursuit of training with Wong, Lee feels dejected yet understands his student’s desires.

Meanwhile, Auntie Blossom, a fearsome gangster who controls the China Gate, becomes aware of McKee and Wong’s burgeoning friendship. She proposes a sinister ultimatum: if McKee can provoke both martial artists into a fight, she will free Xiulan. Wong confronts Lee at the academy, accepting the challenge. However, Xiulan refuses to abandon her roommates, who are still entrapped by Wing Lo.

Reluctantly, Lee consents to battle Wong under specific conditions: the fight will take place in an empty warehouse with just 12 witnesses, and the identity of the victor will be published in the newspaper the following day. Thus, an exhilarating confrontation looms, with the futures of both their students and their legacies precariously at stake.

In a private, high-stakes match, the intensity is palpable as Lee’s aggressive Wing Chun style clashes against Wong’s graceful Shaolin techniques. The atmosphere buzzes with anticipation as each fighter exchanges powerful strikes. Wong displays remarkable agility, demonstrating that Lee’s style has its limits, beckoning Lee to push beyond them. Their tussle culminates in mutual respect, marked by a bow that signifies the conclusion of their battle.

Though there is no official winner declared, tension remains high as Auntie Blossom’s girls watch closely, with a staggering $15 million riding on the outcome. Reflecting on the encounter, Lee is forced to reconsider his martial arts philosophy; he recognizes how narrowly he avoided disaster during their clash. McKee urges Wong to declare himself victorious, but Wong asserts that he has already triumphed by leading Lee on a path of growth and discovery.

News arrives that desperate efforts to rescue Xiulan have resulted in brutal reprisals from gangsters, prompting Lee to join forces with Wong to save their shared student. The trio confront Auntie Blossom and Wing Lo, with Wong ultimately yielding to Lee’s superior skills on the condition that all captive girls are freed. However, Lee insists he’ll only accept victory if the women are liberated.

In a dramatic turn, Lo’s nephew attempts to ambush Lee with a shotgun, but Lee swiftly counters using his mastery of the Mon Shan technique, neutralizing the threat. Later, while visiting McKee in the hospital, Lee expresses his desire to evolve his fighting style to something more fluid and expressive, paving the way for a new chapter in his martial arts journey.

As Wong prepares to sail back to China, Xiulan and McKee bid farewell to their mentor. Wong believes wholeheartedly that Lee is destined to share kung fu with the world. In a poetic conclusion, the evolution of Lee’s fighting artistry leads to the creation of Jeet Kune Do in July 1969, which would serve as a revolutionary precursor to modern mixed martial arts.