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Bloodsport

  • 19881988
  • RR
  • 1h 32m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
84K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,480
115
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Jean-Claude Van Damme, Forest Whitaker, and Bolo Yeung in Bloodsport (1988)
"Bloodsport" 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.
Play trailer1:41
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Action
  • Biography
  • Drama

"Bloodsport" 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 dea... Read all"Bloodsport" 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."Bloodsport" 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.

IMDb RATING
6.8/10
84K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,480
115
  • Director
    • Newt Arnold
  • Writers
    • Sheldon Lettich(story by)
    • Christopher Cosby(screenplay by)
    • Mel Friedman(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Jean-Claude Van Damme
    • Donald Gibb
    • Leah Ayres
Top credits
  • Director
    • Newt Arnold
  • Writers
    • Sheldon Lettich(story by)
    • Christopher Cosby(screenplay by)
    • Mel Friedman(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Jean-Claude Van Damme
    • Donald Gibb
    • Leah Ayres
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 292User reviews
    • 91Critic reviews
    • 29Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:41
    Official Trailer

    Photos163

    Jean-Claude Van Damme in Bloodsport (1988)
    Jean-Claude Van Damme and Leah Ayres in Bloodsport (1988)
    Jean-Claude Van Damme in Bloodsport (1988)
    Jean-Claude Van Damme and Bolo Yeung in Bloodsport (1988)
    Jean-Claude Van Damme in Bloodsport (1988)
    Jean-Claude Van Damme and Roy Chiao in Bloodsport (1988)
    Jean-Claude Van Damme in Bloodsport (1988)
    Jean-Claude Van Damme and Bolo Yeung in Bloodsport (1988)
    Jean-Claude Van Damme in Bloodsport (1988)
    Jean-Claude Van Damme and Bolo Yeung in Bloodsport (1988)
    Jean-Claude Van Damme in Bloodsport (1988)
    Jean-Claude Van Damme in Bloodsport (1988)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jean-Claude Van Damme
    Jean-Claude Van Damme
    • Frankas Frank
    Donald Gibb
    Donald Gibb
    • Jacksonas Jackson
    Leah Ayres
    Leah Ayres
    • Janiceas Janice
    Norman Burton
    Norman Burton
    • Helmeras Helmer
    Forest Whitaker
    Forest Whitaker
    • Rawlinsas Rawlins
    Roy Chiao
    Roy Chiao
    • Tanakaas Tanaka
    Rani Gill
    • Special Ladyas Special Lady
    Philip Chan
    Philip Chan
    • Captain Chenas Captain Chen
    Pierre Rafini
    • Young Frankas Young Frank
    Bolo Yeung
    Bolo Yeung
    • Chong Lias Chong Li
    Ken Siu
    • Victoras Victor
    • (as Kenneth Siu)
    Kimo Lai Kwok Ki
    • Hiroas Hiro
    Bernard Mariano
    • Hosseinas Hossein
    Bill Yuen Ping Kuen
    • Oshimaas Oshima
    Shun-Yin Leung
    Shun-Yin Leung
    • Mrs. Tanakaas Mrs. Tanaka
    Joshua Schroder
    • Chuckas Chuck
    • (as Jousha Schroder)
    • …
    Keith Davey
    • Eddieas Eddie…
    Sean Ward
    • Shingoas Shingo
    • Director
      • Newt Arnold
    • Writers
      • Sheldon Lettich(story by) (screenplay by)
      • Christopher Cosby(screenplay by)
      • Mel Friedman(screenplay by)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    2.8
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    Sudden Death
    5.8
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    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —rcs0411@yahoo.com
    • tournament
    • martial arts
    • kumite
    • hand to hand combat
    • martial arts tournament
    • 236 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The secret contest where the world's greatest warriors fight in a battle to the death.
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Biography
      • Drama
      • Sport
    • Certificate
      • R
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This is one of the few films featuring scenes filmed inside Kowloon Walled City before its destruction.
    • Goofs
      When Dux and Jackson are playing Karate Champ together, a closer look at the screen reveals that it is in single-player mode.
    • Quotes

      Official: [after performing the Dim Mak] We honor your invitation.

      Jackson: No shit you honor his invitation.

      Chong Li: Very good. But brick not hit back!

    • 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.
    • 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).
    • Connections
      Featured in The Art of Action: Martial Arts in Motion Picture (2002)
    • 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 reviews292

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Look at it like this!!!
    Being a film watcher that looks for great acting, i surprised myself when i enjoyed this film.

    Being more a film fan than a martial arts fan i was expecting to be writing a bad review for this flick. No one can deny that van damme is a great martial artist, but his acting is so so the opposite.

    You have to look at it as a martial arts film (which it is) and accept the stunning fight sequences (especially the final fight scene which was very well choreographed) the film offers.

    Yes, people will talk about how bad his acting may be, but what people forget is that he is a martial artist more than an actor. Movies are just the way he can express his great skills to an audience.

    I recommend this film to any martial arts fan but not so much to anyone looking for a compelling dramatic, mystical thriller because you will be disappointed.

    On all it's a basic, pure, martial arts film that i feel is underrated.
    helpful•34
    6
    • fake_plastic_trees_
    • Oct 3, 2005

    FAQ5

    • Why was Frank Dux so valuable to the military?
    • Why do Jackson and Dux have to qualify if they've been invited to participate? An invitation should prove that they're good enough.
    • What martial art did Frank Dux use?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 29, 1988 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Bloodsport - Eine wahre Geschichte
    • Filming locations
      • Kowloon Walled City, Hong Kong, China
    • Production company
      • Cannon International
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,100,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $11,806,119
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $515,721
      • Feb 28, 1988
    • Gross worldwide
      • $11,806,119
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 32 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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