The Spirit of "Bruce Lee" Teaches Jason Stilwell (from U.S. version of "No Retreat, No Surrender")

This is a video composite that I have pieced together, using the unfortunately rare VHS U.S. Version, of one of my top 5 favorite films of all-time: “No Retreat, No Surrender”.

Not to be confused with the so-called "Expanded International Cut", which is actually the original version of the film: I consider the re-cut U.S. version of “No Retreat, No Surrender” to be the true definitive version.

This is the story of a young man… a major Bruce Lee fanatic… who had the heart of a warrior, and a spirit that was bigger than the universe.

His potential was so great, that no human being in the entire world, not even his father who was a Karate Expert (and his Sensei), was capable of bringing out his full potential.

If it took having to visit him through “spiritual apparition”, through God’s Grace and authorization, only Bruce Lee himself was capable of teaching this very worthy student.

This young man.... is Jason Stillwell.

This video montage focuses on the training sessions between the spirit of Bruce Lee (played by Tai Chung Kim), and Jason Stillwell (played by Kurt McKinney).

I think that "No Retreat, No Surrender" - especially the U.S. version - did such a great job in portraying Bruce Lee and his philosophies with accuracy and integrity. It is a wonder, to me, why this film was one of the very few Bruce Lee-type films that was able to get authorization to film at Bruce Lee's grave-site (respectfully).

Yes, Bruce Lee's dubbed voice in this version is a lot deeper than how Bruce Lee's voice really sounds (plus, I do admit that the man who dubbed Bruce Lee’s voice in the original version was closer to how Bruce Lee’s voice really was). However, to me, the voice used in the U.S. version is very forgiving. As a matter of fact, and maybe it is because of the voice that was portrayed in the U.S. version, the chemistry between Bruce Lee and Jason Stillwell in this version was a lot stronger than how it was portrayed in the original version.

Personally, this U.S. version of the film, especially these training sequences, deeply inspired me.

My Grandfather introduced me to this film (the U.S. version) when I was 13 years old, in the summer of 1994. After I saw this for the first time, I was immediately hooked to this film. It was also because of this film, that I began to exercise like a fiend, and I also began eating stubbornly healthy. Those devotions continue to this day.

I would like so very much to share with you the full-length version of the rare VHS U.S. version of "No Retreat, No Surrender". As a matter of fact, I did rip and upload the full version on my Youtube Channel. Unfortunately, due to copyright infringement, it was automatically removed by the copyright owners.

I am currently working on reversing that removal through appeal, so that way everyone can see this version, rather than be accustomed to the awful original version as a result of the takedown.

On a positive note: at least the copyright owners allowed this video to stay on. I have to at least appreciate them for that.

If you want to own this particular version of “No Retreat, No Surrender” on DVD and Blu-ray, go to Amazon or ebay, and type in the following numbers in the search: 738329206383. That is the film’s UPC code.

Once you enter it, it will take you directly to the film’s page. Of all the “No Retreat, No Surrender” DVD’s and Blu-ray versions that are out there, that edition, the "Kino Lorber" DVD and Blu-ray edition, are the only editions that contain this VHS U.S. version.

I really hope that more companies, such as “Shout Factory”, will come forward, buy the rights to the U.S. version, and release their own editions. The more the merrier.

Other than that, I really hope that you enjoy this rendition of the U.S. version of “No Retreat, No Surrender”.

As Bruce Lee says to Mr. Longstreet:
“May it be Well with you.” :)))