The Big Boss
A vow-bound factory worker unleashes extraordinary kung fu when a criminal ice-factory operation threatens his family.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Graphic
- propulsive
- intense
- menacing
- martial arts movie night
- bruce lee retrospective
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film uneven and simplistic but entertaining, with Bruce Lee's athletic martial arts performance and fight choreography providing its main appeal.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Bruce Lee's performance as Cheng and his rapid kicks and hand-to-hand technique dominate the film's action identity.
The ice factory's management is connected to disappearances, smuggling, and drug trafficking affecting the workers' families.
Cheng promises his mother and cousins not to fight, but the disappearance of family members forces him to break that vow.
Contemporary reception repeatedly highlighted Lee's speed, kicks, fists, and hybrid kung fu and karate technique.
Films like The Big Boss, and why
Fist of Fury
iconic martial arts choreography, charismatic star performance, revenge-driven action, and a working-class hero confronting criminal power
Enter the Dragon
classic hong kong kung fu action, explosive physical technique, and a morally upright protagonist battling organized violence
The Chinese Connection
martial arts spectacle, criminal conspiracy, stylized combat, and a determined outsider challenging a powerful antagonist
Way of the Dragon
early bruce lee action cinema with escalating revenge, direct physical storytelling, and landmark fight choreography
Movie Details
- Director
- Lo Wei
- Release Date
- 1971-10-23
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (874)
Cast
- Bruce Lee
- Maria Yi
- James Tien Chun
- Marilyn Bautista
- Han Ying-Chieh
- Tony Liu Tian-jue
- Li Kun
- Nora Miao
- Kam Shan
- Chan Chue
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, FlixFling
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Big Boss about?
- A vow-bound factory worker unleashes extraordinary kung fu when a criminal ice-factory operation threatens his family.
- What is The Big Boss like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Big Boss as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as simple.
- Is The Big Boss violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The Big Boss as graphic.
- What did critics think of The Big Boss?
- Critics broadly found the film uneven and simplistic but entertaining, with Bruce Lee's athletic martial arts performance and fight choreography providing its main appeal.
- Which films are like The Big Boss?
- Films with a similar feel include Fist of Fury, Enter the Dragon, The Chinese Connection, and Way of the Dragon.
- How long is The Big Boss?
- The Big Boss runs 99 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Big Boss?
- In United States, The Big Boss streams on Philo, FlixFling.
