Bloodsport (film)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Bloodsport | |
|---|---|
 Original Movie Poster |
|
| Directed by | Newt Arnold |
| Produced by | Mark DiSalle Yoram Globus Menahem Golan |
| Written by | Christopher Cosby Mel Friedman Sheldon Lettich (also story) |
| Starring | Jean-Claude Van Damme |
| Music by | Michael J. Bishop Paul Hertzog |
| Cinematography | David Worth |
| Editing by | Carl Kress |
| Distributed by | Cannon Group |
| Release date(s) | 26 February 1988 |
| Running time | 92 mins |
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1,500,000 USD (estimated) |
| All Movie Guide profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
Bloodsport is a 1988 martial arts film starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. Although it enjoyed little box-office success, it is considered a cult classic by many martial arts film enthusiasts for showcasing a considerable variety of international fighting styles, ranging from Kung Fu to Jeet Kune Do and Muay Thai, among many others.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
Allegedly based on real-life events which took place between 1975 and 1980-1981, Bloodsport tells the story of an American man named Frank W. Dux (Jean Claude Van Damme), who was trained from his youth in the ways of Ninjutsu by a Japanese master of the art, Senzo Tanaka (Roy Chiao). Primarily to honor his mentor out of gratitude and great respect for having been allowed the training in place of Senzo Tanaka's deceased and only son, Dux leaves for Hong Kong to participate in the Kumite -- an illegal and underground, freestyle, single-elimination and occasionally deadly full-contact martial arts tournament to which the world's best martial artists are clandestinely invited every five years.
Dux goes AWOL from the Air Force, in order to participate. Two military law enforcement agents (Norman Burton and Forest Whitaker) are sent to track down and arrest him.
After arriving in Hong Kong, Dux befriends fellow American contestant Ray Jackson (Donald Gibb) and eventually becomes involved with a female American journalist, Janice Kent (Leah Ayres), who is attempting to investigate the secretive Kumite event. As the tournament progresses, Dux beats all of his diverse opponents, including a Syrian fighter (Bernard Mariano) and a formidable Sumo wrestler-type fighter. He advances to the third and final day of the tournament to face the defending Kumite champion, Chong Li (Bolo Yeung) -- a man with the tendency to cripple and sometimes outright kill his opponents on the platform and who has also hospitalized Ray Jackson during the second day of the Kumite. When Li finds that Dux is clearly the better fighter, Li blinds Dux with a handful of salt, but Dux manages to emerge victorious and becomes the first Westerner winner of the Kumite. The film closes with Dux returning to the United States and statistics detailing the real-life Frank W. Dux's alleged achievements (such as the fastest KO) are shown.
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 high-profile acting, Bloodsport tends to showcase Mr. Van Damme's athletic abilities. On display are numerous feats such as helicopter kicks, as well as Van Damme's trademark ability to perform a complete split.
On the level of moral philosophy, the movie subtly examines questions such as the universal character of both honor and dishonor, and the values of a heartfelt friendship within the sidelines of its story.
The soundtrack, though briefly released, has long been out of print and remains a collector's item.
[edit] Martial arts
Bloodsport is particularly remembered and known as a martial arts film for showcasing a great number of different fighting styles throughout its many martial arts scenes. Below is a select list of fighters and their various martial arts styles featured in the film:
Ray Jackson - Vale Tudo
Chong Li / Chuan Ip Mung - Kung Fu
Paco - Muay Thai
Suan Parades - Capoeira
Budimam Prang - Jeet Kune Do
Steve Daw - Karate
Pumola - Sumo
Ricardo Morra - Evala
[edit] Soundtrack
The soundtrack score was composed by Paul Hertzog who also composed another Jean-Claude Van Damme movie titled Kickboxer. Hertzog's score is regarded as a cult classic and was only issued a few times on CD.
The movie also contained the energetic songs "Fight To Survive" and the mellow "On My Own", both performed by Stan Bush. However, for some reason, Stan Bush's songs as featured in the movie are not present on the soundtrack and instead alternate versions with vocals by Paul Delph are present. This was possibly due to a legal rights issue.
The movie also contained a cult classic song by Michael Bishop titled "Steal The Night", which plays during a scene when Van Damme runs away from his fellow americans. This song was never released in any shape or form until 2006 when it was finally released online for purchase. The online single contains a vocal and instrumental version.
The tracklisting for the original CD was as follows:
1. Fight to Survive (02:23) - Performed by Paul Delph 2. Kumite (Main Title) (02:39) 3. Father and Son / Training (04:24) 4. The Tree and the Sword / In Hong Kong / The Walled City / Ceremony (07:43) 5. Chong Li Kills (02:50) 6. On My Own - Alone (03:34) - Performed by Paul Delph 7. The Secound Day (04:23) 8. The Morning After (02:45) 9. Preparation (02:32) 10. Dim Mar (01:59) 11. Powder (03:42) 12. Triumph (02:33)
Also of note is a previously unreleased piece of score from the movie titled The Gamble, which was released on the "Best of Van Damme Compilation Volume 2" CD.
[edit] Trivia
- The real-life Frank Dux was the coordinator of the film's martial arts scenes.
- Bolo Yeung, seen portraying the defending Kumite champion Chong Li, already was at the respectable age of 50 during Bloodsport's shooting.
- The famous 'split & punch' attack of the Mortal Kombat video games character Johnny Cage is based on a scene from this movie.
- The character of Johnny Cage itself was based loosely on Jean-Claude Van Damme's portrayal of Dux.
- Bloodsport makes several tributes to the late Bruce Lee. Dux originally convinced his mentor that he was worthy of the complete training - despite him being neither Japanese nor a member of the Tanaka familyline - by reminding Senzo Tanaka that; "You taught me using any technique that works. Never to limit myself to one style. To keep an open mind.", which is a direct reference to the philosophy behind mixed martial arts as it was pioneered by Bruce Lee in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In a later scene Chong Li also says to Frank Dux; "Very good. But brick not hit back.", which is a reference to a similar line spoken by Bruce Lee in the movie Enter The Dragon -- "Boards don't hit back.". Lastly, Bloodsport was set in Hong Kong, whereas the real-life Frank Dux claimed that the Kumite he attended had been held in Jamaica.
- The game Jackson and Dux played when first befriending each other was the 1984 arcade title Karate Champ.
[edit] Cast
- Jean-Claude Van Damme: Frank Dux
- Donald Gibb: Ray Jackson
- Ken Siu: Victor (as Kenneth Siu)
- Bolo Yeung: Chong Li
- Leah Ayres: Janice Kent
- Roy Chiao: Senzo Tanaka
- Lily Leung: Mrs. Tanaka
- Norman Burton: Helmer
- Forest Whitaker: Rawlins
- Philip Chan: Captain Chen
- Nathan Chkueke: Sen Ling
- Michelle Qissi: Suan Paredes
- Samson Li: Budimam Prang
- Bernard Mariano: Sadiq Hossein
- Dennis Chiu: Chuan Ip Mung
- Steve Daw: As himself
- Paulo Tocha: Paco
- David Ho: Pumola
- Ng Yuk Shu: As himself
- Joao Gamez: Joao Gomez/As himself
- Eric Neff: Ricardo Morra
- A.P. George: Referee/Judge
[edit] Sequels
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.
