Bloodsport (1988)

Frank Dux has spent most his life being trained by Tanaka to participate in the Kumite, the ultimate martial arts tournament, where participants are seriously injured, even killed. Frank ... See full summary »

Director:

Newt Arnold

Writers:

Sheldon Lettich (story), Sheldon Lettich (screenplay),

Stars:

Jean-Claude Van Damme, Donald Gibb, Leah Ayres

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jean-Claude Van Damme	...	Frank Dux (as Jean Claude Van Damme)
Donald Gibb	...	Ray Jackson
Leah Ayres	...	Janice Kent
Norman Burton	...	Helmer
Forest Whitaker	...	Rawlins
Roy Chiao	...	Senzo Tanaka
Philip Chan	...	Captain Chen
Pierre Rafini	...	Young Frank
Bolo Yeung	...	Chong Li
Ken Siu	...	Victor Lin (as Kenneth Siu)
Kimo Lai Kwok Ki	...	Hiro
Bernard Mariano	...	Sadiq Hossein
Bill Yuen Ping Kuen	...	Oshima
Lily Leung	...	Mrs. Tanaka
Joshua Schroder	...	Chuck / Older Boy

Storyline

Frank Dux has spent most his life being trained by Tanaka to participate in the Kumite, the ultimate martial arts tournament, where participants are seriously injured, even killed. Frank decides to go despite being told by his superiors in the army that he can't because they need him. Two army officers are sent to get him and the trail leads to Hong Kong but Frank eludes them. While Frank advances, he knows that he may have to face Chong Li, the defending champion, who has killed a few participants.

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Plot Keywords:

tournament | martial arts | hong kong | kumite | death | 

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Taglines:

The secret contest where the world's greatest warriors fight in a battle to the death.

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Genres:

Action | Biography | Drama | Sport

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 February 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Contacto sangriento

Filming Locations:

Hong Kong, China

Box Office

Budget:

$1,100,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$11,806,119 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cannon International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color (TVC)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Though Frank Dux's brick-breaking demonstration is purely fictional, the Dim Mak ("Death Touch") is a legendary move fabled in Chinese martial arts folklore. The Dim Mak is an accu-pressure attack where the attacker quickly strikes his opponent several times (in sequence) at various spots on his body. Striking an opponent in this method can result in broken bones, paralysis/painful muscle spasms or even instant death. Pei-pei Cheng's character Jade Fox uses a paralyzing Dim Mak-type attack in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

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Goofs

Right after Chong Li kills the opponent, he walks over to Frank and points at him. In the next shot his arm is down, he raises it and points again and says: "You are next."

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Quotes

[first lines]
Boxer: Jackson, you going to go to Hong Kong?
Jackson: I love anything full contact. I need a few more scars on my face.
Boxer: But I heard you can get killed at that Kumite.
Jackson: Only if you fuck up.

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Crazy Credits

Before the credits the following can be found: This motion picture is based upon true events in the life of Frank W. Dux. From 1975 to 1980 Frank W. Dux fought 329 matches. He retired undefeated as the World Heavy Weight Full Contact Kumite Champion. Mr. Dux still holds four world records: Fastest Knockout - 3.2 seconds Fastest Punch with a Knockout - .42 seconds Fastest Kick with a Knockout - 72 mph Most Consecutive Knockouts in a Single Tournament - 56 Subsequently Mr. Dux founded the first American Ninjitsu System. Dux-Ryu.

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Connections

Spoofed in Beerfest (2006)

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Soundtracks

"On My Own - Alone"
Music and Lyrics by Shandi Sinnamon (as Shandi) and Paul Hertzog
Performed by Stan Bush
Stan Bush appears courtesy of Scotti Brothers/Epic Records

User Reviews

best martial arts movie of all time

If you look at the rating for this film it is only 5.8 percent at present that is a serious understatement of this films genius. This film deserves a much more higher rating. Okay its not an Oscar winner for acting, but who cares! its not about acting its about true martial arts and fighting on the big screen and Bloodsport brings this to you superbly. One of my favourite movies it also provides the Rocky pump, as in like Rocky it has the emotion both in action and through the films music and the fighting makes you want to get up and starting punching and kicking anything! and you don't get that sort of feeling with many films. Rocky had it and Bloodsport has it, and if a fighting film makes you get up and fight your living room wall then its a winner! Van Damme is excellent, his fighting manoeuvres are breathtaking, the range of different styles of fighters is great and well know martial artist Bolo Yeung's destruction of all opponents is wonderfully filmed, and as Van Dammes main contender we have a great adventure. All the fighters give great performances and the fighting scenes are superb. Great performance from big Donald Gibb as the hilarious Ray Jackson. His running punch on his first opponent is worth watching for that alone! Donald Gibb is excellent and brings humour to the role as well as some excellent and sometimes hilarious no nonsense fighting! The story too is superb, the kumite bringing the worlds greatest fighters together and by invitation only and the location also brilliant. Hiden in the depths of Hong Kong badlands. A winner in all departments. I remember watching this with friends and going out in the garden for some Bloodsport kicking and punching well not each other, thin air! but it makes you feel alive. Not many films do that. 10/10 for me. Fantastic film!