The film begins with a nightmare of Lee Hoi-chuen, who sees a terrifying phantom known as the Demon in black samurai armor that haunts the young Bruce Lee. In a montage that passes quickly through his teenage years in Hong Kong, Bruce is shown receiving instruction in traditional Chinese martial arts. As a young adult, Bruce fights with British sailors harassing a young Chinese woman, and this results in him having to leave Hong Kong. His father suggests that Bruce go to the USA — Bruce was actually born in San Francisco, California, when his father was a performer touring there and so Bruce has a U.S. birth certificate. His father asks Bruce to become a success, so that his name will be famous even back in Hong Kong.