Only the Strong (1993)

Ex-Special Forces soldier Louis Stevens returns to Miami to find his former high school overrun by drugs and violence. A master of the Brazilian martial art, capoeira, Stevens pledges to ... See full summary »

Director:

Sheldon Lettich

Writers:

Sheldon Lettich, Luis Esteban

Stars:

Mark Dacascos, Stacey Travis, Geoffrey Lewis

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mark Dacascos	...	Louis Stevens
Stacey Travis	...	Dianna
Geoffrey Lewis	...	Kerrigan
Paco Christian Prieto	...	Silverio
Todd Susman	...	Cochran
Jeffrey Anderson-Gunter	...	Philippe (Jamaican Gang Leader) (as Jeffrey Anderson Gunter)
Richard Coca	...	Orlando
Roman Cardwell	...	Shay
Ryan Bollman	...	Donovan
Christian Klemash	...	Eddie
John Fionte	...	Cervantes
Joselito 'Amen' Santo	...	Javier
John Gregory Kasper	...	Coach Kasper
Phyllis Sukoff	...	Mrs. Esposito
Antoni Corone	...	Green Beret Sergeant

Storyline

Ex-Special Forces soldier Louis Stevens returns to Miami to find his former high school overrun by drugs and violence. A master of the Brazilian martial art, capoeira, Stevens pledges to straighten out a dozen of the school's worst students by teaching them this demanding and highly-disciplined fighting style. Slowly, his program begins to work, giving the students new hope and purpose. But the local drug lord, himself a martial arts expert, vows to stop Stevens' positive influence. Now Stevens must fight to save his own life, as well as the lives of his rebellious young students.

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Plot Keywords:

martial arts | fight | violence | capoeira | drug lord | 

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Taglines:

The ultimate martial art.

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Genres:

Action | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for gang violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Sheldon Lettich was not satisfied with the movie's fight content, claiming years later in Put Up Your Dux (2010) that fight choreographer Frank Dux did not deliver as creative of martial arts scenes as he had conceptualized.

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Goofs

After Louis damages the car shop, he is chased throughout the neighborhood by the Brazilians and the Jamaicans. He is eventually cornered on someone's property and hiding in the midst of hang-drying laundry. One thug closing in on Louis, can be seen flipping a switchblade and saying something in Poturguese. When the camera shows his face, it's clear that the actor's mouth is not moving even those words are still being spoken.

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Quotes

Donovan: Uh... Mr. Stevens, are you so sure this is the place? I mean maybe it's just me, but you can't see shit out here. Ya know?

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Connections

Referenced in Torrente, el brazo tonto de la ley (1998)

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Soundtracks

Enter the Dojo
Produced by Scott G. and Iki Levy

User Reviews

Triple A movie..Fantastic!!

Saw this movie and was very intrigued by it..Had it for a few years and still watch it..My daughter is learning the dance through the movie as a protection for her and enjoys the dance moves as well..We're from Hawaii also and I think Mark is a great actor..One of my all time favorite movies..Much Aloha to all!!

Cyndi

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA France

Language:

English Portuguese

Release Date:

27 August 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Only the Strong

Filming Locations:

Miami, Florida, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,286,889, 29 August 1993

Gross USA:

$3,283,371

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,283,371

Company Credits

Production Co:

August Entertainment, Davis-Films, Freestone Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1