Enter the Clones of Bruce (15) |Home Ents Review

The crazier side of the Hong Kong film industry is highlighted in this ironic and affecting documentary. Enter the Clones of Bruce delves into the weird world of ‘Bruceploitation’, the tawdry 1970s attempts to make good box office out of Bruce Lee’s sudden, early death. 

When the world’s most famous martial artist screen icon died in 1974 at 32 years of age, he’d completed only four films. However, within hours of his funeral, Hong Kong studios began producing biopics, sequels, prequels and spin-offs, using an array of actors whom – with the addition of a mop wig – could pass for the great man if audiences weren’t looking too hard. 

Enter the Clones of Bruce explores this fascinating phenomenon using interviews with those most intimately involved, the clones themselves: Bruce Li, Bruce Le, Bruce Liang and Dragon Lee. Their input adds an honest, emotional edge to what would otherwise be a pretty shlocky look at an even shlockier phenomenon. 

We also hear from  martial arts legends such as Angela Mao, David Chiang, Phillip Ko and Sammo Hung, as well as producers, directors, distributors and experts – who reveal the history, controversy and legacy behind one of the most bizarre genres in movie history.

It is lots of fun to watch, especially as the documentary acts as an advert for Severin Films’ upcoming box set of ‘classics’ from the Bruceploitation genre. There are copious clips from the films themselves, and they really need to be seen to be believed.

Trailer: