Bloodsport (film)
Bloodsport is a 1988 American martial arts sports action film directed by Newt Arnold and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Leah Ayres, Forest Whitaker, Donald Gibb, Roy Chiao and Bolo Yeung. The film centers on Frank Dux (Van Damme), a United States Army Captain and ninjutsu practitioner, who competes in an underground full-contact martial arts tournament called the Kumite in Hong Kong. Based on Dux's real-life claims, the film was marketed as a true story. It was one of Van Damme's first lead roles and showcased his abilities, launching his career as a mainstream action star.
| Bloodsport | |
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Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Newt Arnold |
| Screenplay by |
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| Story by | Sheldon Lettich |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | David Worth |
| Edited by | Carl Kress Michael J. Duthie |
| Music by | Paul Hertzog Stan Bush |
Production company | Cannon Films |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
Release date |
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Running time | 92 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1.5–2.3 million |
| Box office | $50 million |
The screenplay is based on many of Dux's claims first covered in the November 1980 issue of Black Belt magazine. The real Dux served as the action choreographer and technical advisor. After its release, many of Dux's claims were disputed, including by co-screenwriter Sheldon Lettich, who claimed Dux fabricated his fight record and the existence of the Kumite.
Bloodsport was produced by Cannon Films and released by Warner Bros. on February 26, 1988. Despite mixed critical reviews, it was a considerable box office success, grossing $50 million on a budget of $1.5–2.3 million. It developed a strong cult following, and has been cited as an influence on the development of mixed martial arts. It spawned a film series which included four sequels.