Bloodsport (film)
Bloodsport is a
1988 movie starring
Jean-Claude Van Damme. Although the film enjoyed little box-office success, it is considered a cult classic by many
martial arts film enthusiasts.
The main character of the film, allegedly based on a true story, is
American Frank Dux (
Jean Claude Van Damme), who was trained from his youth in the
martial arts by a
Japanese martial artist, Senzo Tanaka (
Roy Chiao), to participate in the
Kumite, a brutal and occasionally deadly freestyle, single-elimination, full-contact and very illegal
martial arts
tournament that draws the world's best martial artists. Dux is enrolled in the
army but leaves for
Hong Kong to fight in the Kumite. He is forced to resist and evade two law enforcement agents (
Norman Burton and
Forest Whitaker) sent from the
United States to track him down and arrest him. While preparing for the Kumite, Dux befriends another American fighter, Ray Jackson (
Donald Gibb), a physically imposing man who also decimates several of his tournament foes. Dux also becomes romantically involved with an American journalist, Janice Kent (
Leah Ayres), who traveled to Hong Kong to investigate the Kumite. During the course of the tournament, Dux successfully eliminates many of his diverse opponents, including an
Arab fighter (
Bernard Mariano) and a formidable
Sumo wrestler-type fighter. The various fight sequences have been praised not only for their choreography, but also for showcasing a great variety of fighting styles, from
Kung Fu to
Jeet Kun Do and
Savate. Dux advances to the final match of the tournament to face the muscular and heartless Chong Li (
Bolo Yeung), the defending Kumite champion, who has killed or crippled participants and hospitalized Jackson. After an intense, physically trying match during which Li blinds Dux with a handful of
salt, Dux emerges victorious to become the first Westerner to win the Kumite. The film closes with statistics detailing the real life Dux's achievements at the Kumite, such as the fastest KO.
The film, despite being modestly well received at the box office, was one of
Jean Claude Van Damme's first true starring vehicles. Whereas his later films feature more gunplay and attempts at "serious" acting, Bloodsport showcases Mr. Van Damme's incredible athletic ability. On display are numerous feats such as helicopter kicks, as well as Van Damme's trademark ability to perform a split.
On the level of
moral philosophy, the movie subtly examines questions such as the universal character of both honor and dishonor, and the value of friendship.
The soundtrack, though briefly released, has long been out of print and remains a collector's item.
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Jean-Claude Van Damme: Frank Dux
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Donald Gibb: Ray Jackson
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Leah Ayres: Janice Kent
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Norman Burton: Helmer
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Forest Whitaker: Rawlins
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Roy Chiao: Tanaka
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Philip Chan: Captain Chen
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Pierre Rafini: Young Frank
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Bolo Yeung: Chong Li
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Ken Siu: Victor (as Kenneth Siu)
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Kimo Lai Kwok Ki: Hiro
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Bernard Mariano: Hossein
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Bill Yuen Ping Kuen: Oshima
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Lily Leung: Mrs. Tanaka
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Joshua Schroder: Chuck/Older Boy
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Attilio Reale: Fighter
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Wayne Archer: Fighter
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Mark Sharrock: Fighter
There have been numerous sequels to the film Bloodsport, although
Jean-Claude Van Damme does not appear in any of them.
Bloodsport 2,
Bloodsport 3, and
Bloodsport 4: The Dark Kumite were all released direct to video, and they all starred
Daniel Bernhardt.
Donald Gibb who played Ray Jackson also appeared in
Bloodsport 2.
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