The Big Boss

Cheng travels from the mainland to join his cousins who run a small ice factory in Thailand, hoping to build a steadier life. He arrives with a vow to stay out of street fighting and local feuds, a promise made to protect his family. But the factory’s management is wrapped in mystery and intimidation, and people close to him begin to vanish after meeting with the firm’s handlers. The pressure grows as clues point to a powerful criminal figure controlling the operation. Faced with danger and pressure from all sides, Cheng finds his resolve tested and gradually steps back into a world of confrontation, using skill and courage to defend his kin as the factory's secret grows more dangerous fast.

Released in 1971, The Big Boss was directed by Lo Wei. The story originates from an original screenplay, crafted to showcase Bruce Lee's martial arts prowess, making it a pivotal early entry for Golden Harvest and international audiences alike everywhere.

Box office figures for The Big Boss are not widely documented, and revenue remains unofficially reported in available sources in Asia and beyond. The film achieved strong regional popularity and helped establish Bruce Lee as a bankable action star abroad.

Bruce Lee's performance in The Big Boss marked his ascent beyond Hong Kong cinema, drawing Western audiences to martial arts on screen. The film blends practical fights with gritty street drama, setting a template for lean, high impact set pieces that would define 1970s action cinema across theaters worldwide fans.

Critical reception praised Lee's speed and athleticism, while noting a straightforward plot centered on loyalty and corruption. The story shows a newcomer pushed toward confrontation by protecting family and exposing an exploitative power structure, themes that resonate with audiences craving direct, morally clear justice that would influence later action cinema.