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A martial artist agrees to spy on a reclusive crime lord using his invitation to a tournament there as cover.
[first lines] Lee: Teacher? Shaolin Abbott: I see your talents have gone beyond the mere physical level. Your skills are now at the point of spiritual insight. I have several questions. What is the highest technique you hope to achieve ? Lee: To have no technique. Shaolin Abbott: Very good. What are your thoughts when facing an opponent ? Lee: There is no opponent. Shaolin Abbott: And why is that ? Lee: Because the word "I" does not exist. Shaolin Abbott: So, continue... Lee: A good fight should be like a small play, but played seriously. A good martial artist does not become tense, but ready. Not thinking, yet not dreaming. Ready for whatever may come. When the opponent expands, I contract. When he contracts, I expand. And when there is an opportunity, I do not hit. It hits all by itself. Shaolin Abbott: Now, you must remember: the enemy has only images and illusions behind which he hides his true motives. Destroy the image and you will break the enemy.
Lee: [a student approaches Lee; both bow] Kick me. [Student looks confused] Lee: Kick me. [Student attempts kick] Lee: What was that? An Exhibition? We need emotional content. Now try again! [Student tries again] Lee: I said "emotional content." Not anger! Now try again! [Student tries again and succeeds] Lee: That's it! How did it feel? [Student thinks; Lee smacks his head] Lee: Don't think. FEEEEEEEEL! It's like a finger pointing away to the moon. [Looks at student who is looking at the finger; smacks student again] Lee: Do not concentrate on the finger or you will miss all of the heavenly glory! [Student bows; Lee smacks him again] Lee: Never take your eyes off your opponent... even when you're bowing! [Student bows again this time keeping his eyes on Lee] Lee: That's better. [student walks away; opening credits begin]
[Oharra throws a board in the air and smashes it with his fist] Lee: Boards don't hit back.
Williams: Man, you come right out of a comic book.
Parsons: What's your style? Lee: My style? You can call it the art of fighting without fighting. Parsons: The art of fighting without fighting? Show me some of it. Lee: Later. [Parsons grabs Lees shoulder as he turns away] Lee: Don't you think we need more room? Parsons: Where else? Lee: That island, on the beach. We can take this boat.
Lee: Why doesn't somebody pull out a .45 and, bang, settle it?
Han: Your style is unorthodox. Williams: But effective.
Williams: Mr Han, suddenly I wish to leave your island. Han: It is not possible. Williams: Bullshit, Mr. Han-man.
Han: It is difficult to associate these horrors with the proud civilizations that created them: Sparta, Rome, The Knights of Europe, the Samurai... They worshipped strength, because it is strength that makes all other values possible. Nothing survives without it. Who knows what delicate wonders have died out of the world, for want of the strength to survive.
Braithwaite: Hello Mr. Lee. My name's Braithwaite. Lee: Hello Mr. Braithwaite.
Williams: Ghettoes are the same all over the world. They stink.
Lee: You have offended my family and you have offended the Shaolin Temple.
[Roper sees Tania for the first time] Roper: Would you look at that? A woman like that could teach you a lot about yourself.
Roper: Well, well. One more lovely than the next. [pause] Roper: What'd you have in mind? Tania: Pick one. Roper: I already have. Tania: Wise decision.
[repeated line] Roper: You wanna bet?
Han: We are all ready to win, just as we are born knowing only life. It is defeat that you must learn to prepare for. Williams: I don't waste my time with it. When it comes, I won't even notice. Han: Oh? How so? Williams: I'll be too busy looking gooood.
Tania: Mr. Williams. [pause] Tania: *Mr. Williams!* Williams: For me? Tania: [Tania nods] Williams: You shouldn't have [pause] Williams: but, [pause] Williams: I'll take you darling, [pause] Williams: and you, [pause] Williams: and you, [pause] Williams: and [pause] Williams: you. [pause] Williams: Please understand, if I missed anyone, [pause] Williams: it's been a big day. I'm a little tired. Tania: Oh of course, Mister Williams. [sarcastically] Tania: You must conserve your strength.
roper: Opium... O O Han: We are investing in corruption, Mr Roper. The business of corruption is like any other business roper: Ow yeah. Provide your customers with products they need and, uh, charge a little bit to stimulate your market and before you know it customers come to depend on you, I mean really need you.
Lee: [a knock on the door] Come in. Tania: A gift Mr. Lee. [pause] Tania: If you don't see anything you like [pause] Lee: There was a girl at the feast tonight. Tania: Which girl, sir? Lee: The owner of this dart. Tania: Oh, yes. I know the one. I'll send her to you.
Roper: A man's strength can be measured by his appetites. Indeed, a man's strength *flows* from his appetites.
Han: Good morning, Mr. Roper. We have been waiting for you. Roper: What's going on? Han: Would you be good enough to participate in this morning's edification? Roper: Edification? [Roper sees Lee tied with arms behind his back] Roper: [to Han] What are you going to do to him? Han: Not me, Mr. Roper, you.
Han: Very few people can be totally ruthless. It isn't easy; it takes more strength than you might believe. Roper: Now you've got eight more. Han: So! There is a point you will not go beyond.
Han: Gentlemen, welcome. You honor our island. I look forward to a tournament of truly epic proportions. We are unique, gentlemen, in that we create ourselves... through long years of rigorous training, sacrifice, denial, pain. We forge our bodies in the fire of our will. But tonight, let us celebrate. Gentlemen, you have our gratitude.
[Lee is at his mother's gravesite] Lee: You will not agree with what I'm going to do. It is contrary to all that you have taught me, and all that Su Lin believed. I must leave. Please try to find a way to forgive me.
[last lines - theatrical version] Lee: You have offended my family, and you have offended the Shaolin temple.
Thug#1: It's the dough Roper, or we gotta break something. You got it? Freddy says this is for your own good.
[last lines] Shaolin Abbott: [voiceover] Remember: the enemy has only images and illusions behind which he hides his true motives. Destroy the image and you will break the enemy.
Han: Are you shocked Mr Williams? Williams: Only at how sloppy your man works.
Han: The battle with the guards was magnificent. Your skill is extraordinary. And I was going to ask you to join us.
[first lines - theatrical version] Braithwaite: Hello, Mr. Lee. My name is Braithwaite. Lee: Hello, Mr. Braithwaite. Braithwaite: I've come to speak to you about a matter of great importance. Lee: Have some tea. Braithwaite: Yes, indeed.
Roper: What's the matter? You on a diet? Williams: I like to eat, if I can find something I can keep down.
Old man: [about Lee's sister] Now you know the truth. When you get to the city, pay your respects to your sister and your mother. Lee: I will old man.
Oharra: You must attend the morning ritual in uniform.
Braithwaite: [on the phone] Hello, I need to speak to your colonel immediately. I don't care if he is asleep; go get him! What? I don't care who he's with you ruddy well put him on the line!
Braithwaite: Mr. Lee, I've come to talk to you about a tournament of martial arts. A tournament to which you've already received an invitation. Specifically, the tournament organized by Mr. Han. Lee: [nodding thoughtfully] Han's tournament. Braithewaite: I know, I know, I know. But we'd very much like you to attend THAT particular tournament, Mr. Lee. Lee: "We", Mr. Braithwaite?
Roper: [Roper is betting on insect fighting and loses] For crying out loud! Do you believe that? [to himself] Roper: Dumb shit.