feature-image

Imago

feature-image

Imago

Bruce Lee was a pioneer who revolutionized how Hollywood movies portrayed martial arts. However, the legendary martial artist and filmmaker tragically passed away at the peak of his career. Despite his short time, Lee’s had immense influence in shaping action cinema. Even 50 years after his death, the legend of Bruce Lee lives on through his art and the stories told by people who worked with the martial arts master. A claim many fans are familiar with is that Lee was so fast that cameras couldn’t capture his moves.

Terrell Owens holding Dude Wipes XL

In 1992, Brandon Lee, the son of the?Little Phoenix,?was promoting his then-upcoming movie Rapid Fire. While appearing on?The Midday Show?with Ray Martin, Brandon Lee clarified if the claims about his father’s speed were?“true or just part of the Hollywood folklore.”

Watch What’s Trending Now!

ADVERTISEMENT

The technology needed to catch up with Bruce Lee

During the interview, Ray Martin asked Brandon Lee if it was true?“when they filmed your father in action… they had to slow the film down because the fist and the feet were going too fast.”?Lee’s son clarified that the claim was indeed authentic. He also explained when it happened and how they shot the action scenes with the Little Dragon.

READ MORE | ?This Is Precious!?: Rare Bruce Lee Letter to His Close Friend Gives Fans an Important Life Lesson

ADVERTISEMENT

The actor and martial artist said it had happened when Bruce Lee was filming The Green Hornet.?“The cameras weren’t as sophisticated back then. And literally, on television, they had to shoot it. You know, they had to over-crank and shoot in slow motion,”?the actor told Martin.?“Otherwise it just looked like a special effect,” added Brandon Lee.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Brandon Lee also praised his father’s otherworldly skills.?“I mean, the man was fast. He was deadly fast. I’ve really never encountered anyone in all of my training since he was as fast.”?said the Little Dragon’s son. A talented martial artist, Brandon Lee also gained popularity as an action hero. However, an accident on the set of?The Crow cost Lee his life. Like his father, Brandon Lee also passed away at a young age.

The secret to the Little Dragon’s blistering speed

During the interview, Martin asked Lee’s son to reveal the secret behind his father’s speed. Matirn asked if the Jeet Kune Do founder was?“just one of those freaks of sports.”?The Rapid Fire actor said,?“well he obviously had you know great physical gifts.”?However, he also revealed that Bruce Lee trained incessantly.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I think a tremendous amount of speed and reflex training is just muscle memory,”?Brandon Lee told the interviewer. ?In his book,?Bruce Lee: A life, Matthew Polly also writes how Lee trained each technique to perfection.

Watch this story | Relive the iconic on-screen fights of the goat Bruce Lee from his movie collection?

ADVERTISEMENT

What do you make of Bruce Lee’s incredible speed and skill? Let us know in the comments.

Share this with a friend:

Link Copied!

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Written by

author-image

Sagnik Bagchi

3,368 Articles

Sagnik Bagchi is a Senior Writer at EssentiallySports, covering collegiate and Olympic sports through opinion‑driven storytelling. His volleyball reporting often spotlights program shifts and leadership changes, including Harper Murray’s evolving role and John Cook’s candid retirement reflections at Nebraska. With nearly four years in sports media, Sagnik has contributed across key beats, from the Paris 2024 Newsbreak team to behind‑the‑scenes coverage of the NHL Playoffs. An English Literature postgraduate, Sagnik’s versatility spans bodybuilding, US sports, and Olympic disciplines. As a former Senior Bodybuilding Writer, his work earned recognition from IFBB Pro Greg Doucette. His adaptability and consistency have resulted in a place in EssentiallySports’ Journalistic Excellence Program, where selected writers work with industry mentors to refine their reporting and analytical skills.

Know more

Edited by

editor-image

Anupama Ghosh

ADVERTISEMENT