Bloodsport (1988)

Follows Frank Dux, an American martial artist serving in the military, who decides to leave the army to compete in a martial arts tournament in Hong Kong where fights to the death can occur.

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 | kumite | hand to hand combat | hong kong | 

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Taglines:

Based on the real story of the Great White Dragon

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Genres:

Action | Biography | Drama | Sport

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 April 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Contacto sangriento

Filming Locations:

Kowloon Walled City, Hong Kong, China

Box Office

Budget:

$1,100,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$11,806,119

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

Frank Dux never has and does not hold any of the world records listed at the end of the film. Like his own back story and claims of kumite success, these are all pure fiction.

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Goofs

In his first fight at the Kumite, Dux sets a record of 12.2 seconds for a knockout, beating Chong Li's previous record of 14.8 seconds. Later in the competition, Dux knocks the large African fighter out with two blows in a shade under 8 seconds (despite the fighter's comical pre-fight theatrics), but this is not recognized by the tournament organizers as yet another new record.

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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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Alternate Versions

Finnish version is censored (over 20 minutes). The cuts include almost every fight of the movie, Jackson's first fight is heavily cut, every Chong Li's fight is cut to pieces. The whole sequence where the "Kumite"-song is heard and it shows several fights is removed, and the final conflict between Dux (J-C Van Damme) and Chong Li (excellent Bolo Yeung) is extremely cut (several minutes).

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Connections

Spoofed in GirlFight: Model Kombat (2018)

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Soundtracks

Steal the Night
Written, Performed and Produced by Michael Bishop

User Reviews

Greatest Film of All Time

I would like to say that I have not seen a better film than Bloodsport.In my lifetime of 20 odd years, I have seen plenty of films. The Martial Arts genre is unique, and one musn't compare it to other types of movies because they are like apples and oranges. Therefore, I will say it is the greatest martial arts film of all time, and in my mind, better than anything else I have seen, even though it is hard to compare it to non-m.a. films. This movie is more than just about fighting. It transcends the entertainment value it was made to provide. This story is about Dux's journey through life, and his struggle to bring honour to his Shidoshi. He is not in it for money, or bragging rights, but simply for honour. Now how many people in today's world care about honour? Not very many. This is one out of many reasons why I love and am inspired by this movie. Sometimes one must undergo great pain and sacrifice to honour and respect someone or something. And that is an important lesson.