IMDb > The Professional (1994)
Léon
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The Professional (1994) More at IMDbPro »Léon (original title)

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The Professional -- Professional assassin Leon reluctantly takes care of 12-year-old Mathilda, a neighbor whose parents are killed, and teaches her his trade.
The Professional -- Professional assassin Leon reluctantly takes care of 12-year-old Mathilda, a neighbor whose parents are killed, and teaches her his trade.
The Professional -- AllTrailers.net - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
8.6/10   198,165 votes »
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Up 4% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Luc Besson (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Professional on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
18 November 1994 (USA) See more »
Genre:
Tagline:
If you want a job done well hire a professional. See more »
Plot:
Professional assassin Leon reluctantly takes care of 12-year-old Mathilda, a neighbor whose parents are killed, and teaches her his trade. Full summary » | Full synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
2 wins & 8 nominations See more »
User Reviews:
a symphony in film See more (665 total) »

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Jean Reno ... Léon

Gary Oldman ... Stansfield

Natalie Portman ... Mathilda

Danny Aiello ... Tony

Peter Appel ... Malky
Willi One Blood ... 1st Stansfield man

Don Creech ... 2nd Stansfield man
Keith A. Glascoe ... 3rd Stansfield man (Benny)
Randolph Scott ... 4th Stansfield man

Michael Badalucco ... Mathilda's Father
Ellen Greene ... Mathilda's Mother

Elizabeth Regen ... Mathilda's Sister
Carl J. Matusovich ... Mathilda's Brother

Frank Senger ... Fatman
Lucius Wyatt Cherokee ... Tonto (as Lucius Wyatt 'Cherokee')
See more »
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
"Léon" - France (original title)
"Leon: The Professional" - USA (longer version)
"Leon" - Japan (English title)
See more »
MPAA:
Rated R for scenes of strong graphic violence, and for language.
Runtime:
110 min | France:136 min (uncut version) | 133 min (International version) | Turkey:100 min (TV version)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital | SDDS (8 channels)
Certification:
South Korea:18 (original rating) | Brazil:14 | Iceland:16 | Australia:M (tv rating) | Singapore:PG (cut) | Philippines:R-18 | Italy:T | Finland:K-15 (2009) (director's cut) (DVD rating) | South Korea:15 (DVD rating) (2002) | South Korea:18 (director's cut) | UK:15 (DVD re-rating) | Singapore:NC-16 | Australia:MA (2010) (re-rating) | Finland:K-16 (1995) (VHS) (cut) | Finland:K-18 (1995) | Argentina:16 | Australia:R | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Ontario) | Chile:18 | France:-12 (original version) | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB (director's cut) | Israel:PG | Japan:R-15 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:18 | Portugal:M/16 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R (original rating) | USA:Unrated (director's cut) | Canada:16+ (Quebec)
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The original script had more scenes with "awkward sexual tension" between Mathilda and Léon. These scenes were later cut out for the American release dubbed "The Professional", but were included in the 1996 European release, as well as in the deleted scenes of the special edition DVD. They were reintegrated back into the film for the 'International Cut', which is now available on DVD.See more »
Goofs:
Continuity: During Malthilda's first "hit" with Leon, she placed her handbag on the drug-mill table. Later the handbag was still on the table when she poured some fuel on the drug. But after she lit it up, the handbag was missing.See more »
Quotes:
[first lines]
Tony:Allora, come stai, Leone?
Léon:Bene.
[Tony puts out his cigarette in an ashtray]
Tony:OK. OK. Let's talk business.
See more »
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Boondock Saints (1999)See more »
Soundtrack:
I Like MyselfSee more »

FAQ

What film does Léon go to see?
Why does Leon save Mathilda's life?
What are the differences between the Theatrical Version and the Director's Cut/International Cut?
See more »
187 out of 236 people found the following review useful.
a symphony in film, 25 April 2003
Author: Gjay2 from manchester

luc besson will never top this movie. This is his benchmark, his classical composition. Look at the precise, intricate scenes. It's a symphony in cinema. Straight off, it's action. Intelligently shot, and scripted. It makes everything that follows hard to live upto. But it does so easily. It's stylish without being showy, it's deep without being sentimental. And it's just hugely enjoyable. Seeing the friendship between newly orphaned mathilda and skilled assasin leon bloom, is tenderly done. At risk of slipping into a sappy bond, besson keeps it easy on the emotions, without coming off as shallow.

The actors are all spot on, most notably the debut from a young natalie portman as mathilda. Showing an angry, sad, pent up, in love girl is no simple task but she breezes through it, touching all the right notes. And jean reno as the title character, is minimal but very effecting. Hard to understand, but easy to relate too. But gary oldman steals it, with his glorious overacting. He's as scary as he is determind. His line delivery is almost perfect. And his fate is very fitting. If only they made more intelligent action movies, then they could contend with this film. But as it stands right now, leon is one of the best action dramas ever made.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Professional (1994)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Why the extended version doesn't work. carbohydrates
Will they ever make a Sequel? axopnk
Why did Mathilda tell the hotel manager Leon was her lover? Catch22
Hilarious Siskel + Ebert review of Léon spiralout-3
The Natalie character was too young that sorta ruined it for me? Mortezzz
Mathilda was a WASTE!!! hotbodyboy_2006
See more »

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