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

In the beginning young Frank is wearing a San Francisco Giants hat and a New York Giants shirt. Must be a giants fan or a sports mistake

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Goofs

When Dux and Jackson are playing Karate Champ together, a closer look at the screen reveals that it is in single-player mode.

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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

Featured in eXploitation CinemA (2009)

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Soundtracks

Fight to Survive
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 film of the century'

Bloodsport is, and always will be, Van Damme's greatest display of his martial talent. While it seems to have a similar storyline to other martial arts films, this one differs in that it is based on the true events of Frank Dux, who also assisted the fighters for this movie.

Anyone at all that doubts Van Damme's talent as a fighter, should see this film.

Bolo Yeung also makes a spectacular appearance as the evil one in the tournament. He acts about as cruel and heartless as one can get, and he makes the perfect climax for the film.

If you are after a good quality martial arts film, and you haven't seen Bloodsport, then this is the one for you. If you have seen it, then you will know why it deserves the title of 'best martial arts film of the century'.