Arena (1989)

Director:

Peter Manoogian

Writers (WGA):

Danny Bilson (written by) &
Paul De Meo (written by)

Genre:

Sci-Fi | Sport

Tagline:

For a thousand years no human has been the champion. He wants to be the first.

Plot:

An intergalactic fighting competition between champions of various worlds has traditionally been won by a species much larger and stronger than humans...

Plot Keywords:

Fight | Alien | Independent Film

Cast

Paul Satterfield	...	Steve Armstrong
Hamilton Camp	...	Shorty
Claudia Christian	...	Quinn
Marc Alaimo	...	Rogor
Shari Shattuck	...	Jade
Armin Shimerman	...	Weezil
Brett Porter	...	Wayne
Charles Tabansi	...	Troy
Michael Deak	...	Horn
Jack Carter	...	Announcer
William Butler	...	Skull
Grady Clarkson	...	Commissioner Dent
Dave Thompson	...	Doctor
Ken Clark	...	Marcus
Diana Rose	...	Space Lady in Nightclub

Runtime:

Germany:115 min | 97 min (VHS version)

Country:

Italy | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Germany:16 | USA:PG-13 | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba) | Canada:R (Ontario) | UK:15

Company:

Altar Productions

Trivia:

Finished in 1988, not released in USA until 1991.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: During the first closeup of Horn lifting Steve over his head in the final fight a safety wire can be seen attached to Steve's waist.

Soundtrack:

Living in the Galaxy

Bloodsport in Space

They just don't make them like this anymore. Yeah, it's a total schlock fest... But what an idea. Some dude has to fight it out in the intergalactic ring against all sorts of aliens ( AKA dudes in rubber costumes ), in classic cheesy 80's direct to video sci fi fashion. We're simply not blessed with such cornball films that are this fun anymore.

There's not really much in the way of story. We get some blondie no name actor playing Steve Armstrong, giving those super tough guys in rubber suits a really hard time in the intergalactic fighting ring. Will the golden boy make it out alive in the ring, fighting against the behinds the scenes corruption and overcome his underdog status to become champion? You'll just have to waste some time and find out.

Yeah, everything about it technically is fairly awful, but it's a fun film. Highly recommend if you spot it on cable and you enjoy cheese-fest flicks. There's some slow moments and awful dialog throughout, but the fights are all entertaining in a goofy way, just as most of the film is. It's B grade schlock, don't go into this film expecting something amazing and you'll have a fun time.

Someone should take notice from the good ol' days of VHS and get the direct to DVD market going with fresh ideas like this, and actually have them be semi-competent productions like this film.