The Lost Interview

by Bruce Lee

The Lost Interview <> Paperback <> BruceLee <> bnpublishing

Genres: Nonfiction, Autobiography

48 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1971

About the author

Bruce Lee was an American-born martial artist, philosopher, instructor, martial arts actor and the founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts system, widely regarded as the most influential martial artist of the 20th century and a cultural icon. He was the father of actor Brandon Lee and of actress Shannon Lee.

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

"You wrote there are some lines that express your philosophy. I don't know if you remember them or not." -- Pierre Berton, talk show host

"Oh, I remember them. I said 'Empty your mind. Be formless, shapeless like water. Now if you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup; you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle; you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.'" -- martial artist / actor Bruce Lee

Although not considered 'lost' anymore - complete footage has been posted on YouTube for at least five years now - The Lost Interview is the transcribed conversation in September 1971 between the lithe martial artist / actor Bruce Lee and erudite Canadian talk show host Pierre Berton, notable for being Lee's only known existing filmed English language interview. This was at a point when Lee finally achieved box office success with starring in The Big Boss in Hong Kong, and would then soon breakthrough in the U.S. with Enter the Dragon less than two years later before his untimely death at age 32 in July 1973. While it is fairly brief - it was only a 30-minute TV program - the savvy and articulate Lee explains his personal philosophy, dishes on working with his celebrity students like actors James Coburn and Steve McQueen ("that son-of-a-gun got the toughness in him" Lee happily noted in an unusually complimentary manner) and screenwriter Stirling Silliphant, as well his recent work in developing an upcoming weekly network TV series to be called The Warrior . . . which, unfortunately for Lee, became the successful Kung Fu and would instead star David Carradine.

[NON · Rating 4 out of 5]

I certainly didn't like how Berton kept on interrupting Lee and his lack of understanding is kind of obvious and bothersome at times but I loved listening to Bruce Lee; he's remarkably soothing and wise.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audio of this interview.
Very cool to listen to Bruce Lee discuss his martial arts.

[Beast · Rating 4 out of 5]

A man ahead of his time.