The Game of Death, Bruce Lee’s vision vs. What we end up having part 2
The Game of Death, Bruce Lee’s vision vs. What we end up having part 2
Click here for the part 1 of the article
Bruce Lee’s original script is quiet different from the final version that hits theaters. Former James Bond, George Lazenby originally have a role for this film too but his scenes where not filmed.
Even if it is more grounded, it felt more larger than life. The script really showcases Jeet Kune do as the best Martial arts. Hai Tien (Bruce Lee) is a retired professional fighter. He is an undefeated champion when he retired. A Korean gang kidnapped his brother and sister to make him do their bidding. Nora Miao who usually plays his love interests in films, plays the role of his sister on this film. They instructed him to retrieve an ancient artifact on the top of a Pagoda.
In the original Game of Death script: A Martial Artist guards each floor and Hai Tien must defeated every single one of them to climb the next level. The Gang also hired 5 men to assist him on his adventure. Four them are Martial artists too and one of them is a Locksmith.
Hai Tien and his men first encounter an army of Karate Black belts guarding the outside of the Tower. After they defeated the Black belts, the Locksmith opens the door of the Pagoda and let the group enter. He stayed outside because he is not a fighter.
The First two floors of the tower where unfilmed. Hapkido Master Hwang In-shik is suppose to guard the first floor. Despite being the first Boss he gets to kill one of the 4 men who assists Hai Tien. On Every floor one of his allies gets killed by the floor’s boss. Taky Kimura , one of Bruce Lee’s student is suppose to be the guardian of the second flood. The last three Bosses are the only ones who got filmed. Escrima master Dan Inosanto played the role of a Filipino Martial arts master and 3rd floor Guardian. Hapkido Master Ji Han-jae is the 4th floor guardian and their fight is the first onscreen battle between a grappler and a Kung-Fu master. NBA star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the guardian of the 5th floor. No one knows what is the artifact that Hai Tien has to retrieve and what is the fate of his siblings. Former James Bond, George Lazenby originally have a role for this film too but his scenes where not filmed. Shannon Lee hosted the premiere of the final version at El Rey Network. I hope that is sign that she is open on a remake that reflects her father’s original version.