Lionheart (1990)

An Ex-French Soldier begins participating in underground street fights in order to make money for his brother's family.

Director:

Sheldon Lettich

Writers:

S.N. Warren (earlier screenplay), Jean-Claude Van Damme (story)

Stars:

Jean-Claude Van Damme, Harrison Page, Deborah Rennard

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jean-Claude Van Damme	...	Lyon
Harrison Page	...	Joshua
Deborah Rennard	...	Cynthia
Lisa Pelikan	...	Helene
Ashley Johnson	...	Nicole Gaultier
Brian Thompson	...	Russell
Voyo Goric	...	Sgt. Hartog
Michel Qissi	...	Moustafa
George McDaniel	...	Adjutant
Eric Karson	...	Doctor
Ash Adams	...	Francois (as Jason Adams)
William T. Amos	...	Drug Dealer
Roz Bosley	...	Nurse
Dennis Rucker	...	Irish Legionnaire (as Dennis Wayne Rucker)
Billy Blanks	...	African Legionnaire

Storyline

Lyon Gaultier is a deserter in the Foreign Legion arriving in the USA entirely hard up. He finds his brother between life and death and his sister-in-law without the money needed to heal her husband and to maintain her child. To earn the money needed, Gaultier decides to take part in some very dangerous clandestine fights.

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Plot Keywords:

new york city | world trade center | tragic event | bone breaking | lion | 

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Taglines:

Too tough to die.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for graphically violent fight scenes and for strong language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Serbian

Release Date:

11 January 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

A.W.O.L.

Filming Locations:

Argyle Hotel - 8358 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,094,552, 13 January 1991

Gross USA:

$24,078,196

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$24,271,196

Company Credits

Production Co:

Imperial Entertainment Corporation, Guild, Sunil

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film was released under one of five titles, depending on the country it was released in. It was released under the names 'Lionheart', 'Full Contact', 'A.W.O.L Absent Without Leave', 'Wrong Bet,' and 'Leon '. The film was independently funded and so was sold to various distributors throughout the world. It is therefore assumed they just picked the title that had the most impact in their respective territories.

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Goofs

During the last fight of the movie, Attila punches Lyon in the ribs several times, re-aggravating his broken rib and causing him to bleed through his stitches. Shortly thereafter, the bloodstain is gone from Lyon's shirt and never returns.

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Quotes

Joshua: My man just kick five asses, do you want yours to be the sixth ?

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Alternate Versions

The Australian version rated M and titled 'Wrong Bet' is edited for violence, but contains other scenes not shown in the version titled 'Lionheart'. Some edited scenes in 'Wrong Bet' are: When Lyon's brother gets set on fire (whole scene edited), the scene where Lyon escapes from the Legion, the bit where Lyon stabs the guy in the hand is edited, exchanged looks with Lyon and Atila with bloody faces at the end of the match when Lyon is about to punch him is edited on 'Wrong Bet' also. There are more scenes edited as well. Some extra scenes in 'Wrong Bet' include a scene where Lyon comes out of the water after jumping out of the boat, a scene where Cynthia swears at Lyon and demands him to get out of her room when Lyon wants to setup an account. The most interesting scene shown in 'Wrong Bet' is an alternate take in the hospital when Lyon finds out his brother dies. In 'Lionheart', when Lyon asks the doctor if they have found the killers, the doctor says yes. In 'Wrong Bet', the doctor says no, and they may never find out who the killers were. It's possible that 'A.W.O.L', released in UK, is the same as 'Wrong Bet'.

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood Mouth (2008)

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Soundtracks

FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE
Written by Christian Nesmith, David Chuchian and Tony Tasis
Produced by Tim Bomba
Performed by Off
Published by Baba Sarah Music (BMI)/Bombadier Music (BMI)

User Reviews

Great Film

Van Damme is at his best here, it's a good film that moves at a steady pace and is almost like a Rocky/Street Fighter type film. The characters are played well and the right actors and actresses are picked for the right roles. Van Damme's trainer is great and the silent Van Damme is defiantly the best. The plot also unwinds at the right times and at the right pace. You should give this film a go.