Kickboxer (1989)

Kurt Sloane must learn the ancient kick boxing art of Muay Thai in order to avenge his brother.

Directors:

Mark DiSalle, David Worth

Writers:

Mark DiSalle (story), Glenn A. Bruce (screenplay)

Stars:

Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dennis Alexio, Dennis Chan

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jean-Claude Van Damme	...	Kurt Sloane
Dennis Alexio	...	Eric Sloane
Dennis Chan	...	Xian Chow
Michel Qissi	...	Tong Po
Haskell V. Anderson III	...	Winston Taylor
Rochelle Ashana	...	Mylee
Ka Ting Lee	...	Freddy Li
Richard Foo	...	Tao Liu
Ricky Liu	...	Big Thai Man
Ho-Ying Sin	...	Huge Village Man #1
Tony Chan	...	Huge Village Man #2
Brad Kerner	...	U.S. Announcer
Dean Harrington	...	U.S. Announcer
Mark DiSalle	...	U.S. Reporter
Richard Santoro	...	U.S. Reporter

Storyline

Kurt Sloan is the corner-man for his brother, U.S. kickboxing champion Eric Sloan. When Kurt witnesses his brother become maliciously paralyzed in the ring by Thailand champion Tong Po, Kurt vows revenge. With the help of Xian, a kickboxing trainer who lives in a remote area of Thailand, Kurt trains for the fight of his life.

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Plot Keywords:

bare chested male | kickboxing | thailand | fight | muay thai | 

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Taglines:

An Ancient Sport Becomes A Deadly Game. [US Movie Poster]

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Genres:

Action | Sport | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 September 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Karate Tiger 3 - Der Kickboxer

Filming Locations:

Bangkok, Thailand

Box Office

Budget:

$1,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,134,098, 10 September 1989

Gross USA:

$14,697,005

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,697,005

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kings Road Entertainment, The Movie Group

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tong Po is mistakenly billed as playing himself (on the film's credits). In fact Michel Qissi played the villainous Thai for this film and its sequel Kickboxer 2: The Road Back (1991). Kamel Krifa played the character in the 4th. Qissi can also be seen in two other Van Damme movies, Bloodsport (1988) and Lionheart (1990). In Bloodsport Qissi is the fighter that gets his leg broken by Chong Li. In Lionheart (AWOL) Qissi plays Moustafe who alongside another legionnaire is trying to bring Lyon from America back to Africa.

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Goofs

When Kurt is loading his brother into the van on the stretcher after the fight when he has just been paralyzed his feet are sticking out, but when the door is being shut he pulls them in.

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Quotes

Eric Sloane: [after a painful first round against Tong Po] Fucking music's driving me crazy.
Kurt Sloane: Let's forget about the music right now.
Eric Sloane: See that! He got me with an elbow.
Kurt Sloane: That's the way they fight here, I told you!
Eric Sloane: Motherfucker wants to street fight. I'll show him!
Kurt Sloane: Let's cancel.
Eric Sloane: No.
Kurt Sloane: Let's cancel please!
Eric Sloane: Noooo!

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Alternate Versions

In the UK Prism DVD release, as well as cuts already detailed. The scene where Eric is talking to Kurt about his upper body strength, then referring to his legs being like toothpicks has been inexplicably completely removed.

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Connections

Referenced in Pattaya (2016)

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Soundtracks

Feeling So Good Today
Written and Produced by Mike Piccirillo
Performed by Beau Williams

User Reviews

Pure bliss from start to finish.

This film has it all.

For the martial arts fan: We have the great fight scenes between JC and Tong Po and what's better than a good training sequence.

For the Van Damme: It is the best film ever. Full of what makes a great Van Damme film. We have splits, the spinning kick and some excellent dress sense. But what makes Kickboxer such a great film is 1.) When Van Damme says "I was sent by Mr Xian for his eh grocheries" truly magnificent. 2.) The scene where Van Damme is drunk and is dancing. Utter genius.

I strongly recommend every one goes out and buys this film.