Classic kung fu action hits the streets of San Francisco when Ho Chung-tao (aka Bruce Li) dons the virtual guise of Bruce Lee for at least his ninth Brucexploitation film in less than two years. BRUCE LEE’S DEADLY KUNG FU takes one facet of Lee’s tenure in America, the struggle to teach kung fu to gweilos against the wishes of most Chinese kung fu masters, and turns it into an exaggerated and completely fictitious battle with a rival school. Ho’s performance and notable appearances by Carter Wong and Hwang Jang-lee serve to elevate this otherwise laughable film above the dismal standards set by most films starring Bruce Lee clones.

The story is complete nonsense, but for the purposes of providing opportunities for brawling, it works. Bob (Ho Chung-tao) and his roommate Tsang Ming-cheong find themselves out of work after beating up some thugs from a local gymnasium who claim the area as their turf. As the thugs continue to trail them, the pair finds work at a dockyard where Carter Wong shows up to beat the baddies. But after Bon decides to open a kung fu school that admits Westerners, Wong challenges him. The beaten thugs hire a specialist, Hwang Jang-lee in an amazingly goofy red cape who gives Bob the boot. Bob learns from this defeat by developing a Jeet Kune Do-like martial art and puts it to use in a rematch with Hwang. Then he storms the thugs’ gym and fights his way through all of the students to get to their master, as played by Robert Kerver.

The concept of martial arts schools ruling territory in urban America is improbable enough, but costumed goons in full-scale kung fu brawls on suburban streets is hilarious, or it should be. The film is close to parody, but the filmmakers try to play it straight. This is clearly a missed opportunity as many comedy elements are in place. Hwang Jang-lee’s red cape, gweilo thugs wearing white loafers and shirts tied off at the midriff, and dialogue that includes references to shipments of mutton are highlights.

Ho Chung-tao isn’t one of the best martial arts stars, but he lays on the charm and comes about as close as anyone to portraying Bruce Lee’s confidence on screen without going overboard. He has some real competition in his featured co-stars.

Carter Wong is really just a bit player in this film, although he gets to have two featured fights.

The supremely talented kicker Hwang Jang-lee is undoubtedly in one of his worst roles, although he does the same walk-on late in the film that he seems to do in most of his films. He performs one memorable move where he plants a left foot on Ho’s right knee and jumps up to level him in the head with his right foot. As I cannot recall this specific move being performed by Hwang in another film, I would recommend this film to his fans solely for this scene. Later, Ho comes up with a counter move that is also pretty impressive.

Some other familiar faces make their way into the film. Regular screen weasel Paul Wei shows up to make this film the second degree of connection to Lee after playing weasels in both FIST OF FURY and WAY OF THE DRAGON.

Roy Horan, who plays one of the leading thugs, has the distinction of being one of very few Westerners to appear in a number of ’70s-era kung fu classics including Jackie Chan’s SNAKE IN THE EAGLE’S SHADOW.

Apart from some recognizable faces, mostly Caucasian or black extras and some quality choreography, BRUCE LEE’S DEADLY KUNG FU is just another hokey Bruce Lee knock off. It is one of the better ones though and worthwhile for connoisseurs of ’70s-era B-movies from Asia.

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