Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Moderate
- suspenseful
- audacious
- propulsive
- action movie night
- martial arts double feature
What critics said
Critics generally find the climactic Bruce Lee fight scenes compelling but regard the reconstructed story, writing, and production as clumsy and compromised.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Bruce Lee's unfinished footage was combined with stock material, a double, and new scenes to complete the film after his death.
Billy Lo allows the world to believe he has died while hiding underground and preparing retaliation against the crime syndicate.
The climactic action progresses through one-against-many battles and prominent duels, including the confrontation with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
The revised film uses stock footage, a double, a cardboard Lee image in a mirror, and footage of Lee's actual funeral.
Films like Game of Death, and why
Enter the Dragon
shared martial arts spectacle, revenge narrative, charismatic action hero, and one-against-many combat
Fist of Fury
shared hong kong martial arts action, revenge-driven conflict, and showcase fight choreography
The Way of the Dragon
shared bruce lee star vehicle energy, martial arts combat, and straightforward action storytelling
The Big Boss
shared crime syndicate threat, revenge motivation, and escalating hand-to-hand confrontations
Movie Details
- Director
- Robert Clouse
- Release Date
- 1978-03-23
- Runtime
- 101 min
- Rating
- 6.4 / 10 (764)
Cast
- Bruce Lee
- Gig Young
- Dean Jagger
- Hugh O'Brian
- Colleen Camp
- Robert Wall
- Mel Novak
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Chuck Norris
- Dan Inosanto
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Game of Death about?
- A martial-arts star fakes his death after a syndicate assassination attempt and wages a flamboyant underground campaign of revenge.
- What is Game of Death like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Game of Death as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Game of Death violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Game of Death as moderate.
- What did critics think of Game of Death?
- Critics generally find the climactic Bruce Lee fight scenes compelling but regard the reconstructed story, writing, and production as clumsy and compromised.
- Which films are like Game of Death?
- Films with a similar feel include Enter the Dragon, Fist of Fury, The Way of the Dragon, and The Big Boss.
- How long is Game of Death?
- Game of Death runs 101 minutes.
- Where can I watch Game of Death?
- In United States, Game of Death is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
