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An underrated and inspiring film for all martial arts fans.

Van Damme shines here because this role is perfect for him. He doesn't need a stuntman, because he performs all the scenes himself. The choreography is good, as is the directing itself.

The characters are fun, and that's what makes this movie so good. Bolo Yeung is absolutely brilliant and intimidating as the villain Chong Li. The film definitely has charm and possesses some timeless quality.

The film is interesting for several reasons, not only as a film about martial arts, but also as a drama that speaks in its simple way about human emotions. It is easy to identify with the characters, because they are portrayed humanly, emotionally and above all through the prism of the friendship. Jean Claude Van Damme is first and foremost an athlete, not an actor, and this film is perfect for him and maybe that's why everything here works as it should.

This film impressed me because of its charm and simplicity and because it reflects the spirit of another time. The film has truly fulfilled its primary task, it is entertaining and easy to watch. What matters is that this movie can be watched many times and is always just as fun.

Courage, loyalty, friendship and honor are the values that this film celebrates and that in itself is commendable.

A cinematic work that definitely deserves its place in the history of martial arts films.

When it debuted, "Bloodsport" was to have been a story of the famed martial artist and miltary hero, Frank Dux. According to Dux, he won the ultra-secret 'Kumite'...a no holds barred martial arts international competition. He also was a top secret operative for the military and went on all sorts of scary missions in various countries. Unfortunately, pretty much none of Dux's claims turned out to be true! However, I assume no one other than Dux knew it at the time AND the star of "Bloodsport", Jean-Claude Van Damme, was no phony--having been a very accomplished full-contact fighter with championships to his credit. So, while the story turns out to be a load of crap, you cannot fault Van Damme and it's among his best films.

The lead up to Dux (Van Damme) going to the Kumite is confusing....like two separate movies tossed together. One shows him running away from the army to fight in the competition. Another shows him working for years with his Master to get ready for the competition! This was confusing and the chronology made no sense.

Once the film heads overseas to the Kumite, things improve considerably. Dux strikes up a friendship with a nice but dopey lug who is also in the Kumite (Donald Gibb). Ultimately, an insanely sociopathic competitor unleashes EVERYTHING on the lug and leaves him a battered mess. And, ultimately, Dux must also fight this Chong Li. Is such an ignominious ending also in store for Dux as well?

While I am not a huge fan of the Van Damme films, he did make some good ones and his martial arts skills are truly amazing. If you watch "Bloodsport", you'll see what I mean. Van Damme is a very impressive athlete instead of just being some actor....and his athletic skills are far superior to his acting skills. Seeing his splits and many of the action scenes leave you breathless!

So is the film itself any good? After all, we know now that nobody (other than Dux) believes the story to be true. Well, despite the spotty background to Dux and the film, it is a very good film for the genre. Like many 80s films, it has montages, 80s pop music, slow-motion and all the standard cliches...but it does them all so well and Van Damme is so good in the story. Overall, a surprisingly good film that holds up well today.

This movie all about fighting,and the fact that it is based on a true story just makes it better. This is the first time Van Damme fights Bolo Yeung and it is a spectacular fight he also fights him in Double impact. Bolo is the perfect evil guy and his fighting style is one of a kind.

They dont make movies like this anymore. Bad acting and story,but you gotto love it anyway.

The military Frank Dux (Jean Claude Van Damme) abandons his base to participate in the Kumite, a dangerous secret competition in Hong Kong. Before embarking in the airplane, Frank visits his martial arts trainer Senzo Tanaka (Roy Chiao), who is terminal, and promises to win the tournament to honor him. Frank travels to Hong Kong and befriends the fighter Ray Jackson (Donald Gibb) that is lodged in the same hotel and has a love affair with the journalist Janice Kent (Leah Ayres). However the American officers Helmer (Norman Burton) and Rawlins (Forest Whitaker) chase him to bring home back to the base without injuries. Meanwhile Frank and the dirty Japanese fighter Chong Li (Bolo Yeung), who won the last Kumite, are winning their fights and coming to the ultimate fight.

"Bloodsport" is an early Van Damme´s film and also one of his best films ever, disclosing the refuted story of the American martial artist Frank Dux. The screenplay is funny and engaging with excellent fight choreography. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "O Grande Dragão Branco" ("The Great White Dragon")

Bloodsport (1988) is my favorite action Van Damme movie. It was the first movie I ever saw about Van Damme that introduced me in to his movies. This is the film I grew up with it, I have first see it, when I was 8 years old! I love this movie to death! In my opinion is Van Damme's best martial arts film! Beside Hard Target, Bloodsport is one of his best movies till date. I Love it so much. Best martial arts movie, is never boring, is fast and entertaining and It is awesome seriously. And I still love it today, Bloodsport also introduced me in to martial arts. Jean Claude Van Damme's Bloodsport is still today it's best. After this movie there were a few copycat movies that copy the idea from this movie. Like were Bloodfight (1989) with Bolo Yeung returning, with the same name, but playing different character from the Bloodsport and Bloodfist (1989) with World Kickboxing champion Don "The Dragon" Wilson. I also love the music from this movie lately it helps me a lot the song "On My Own - Alone", I also love the song "Fight to Survive".

This is my favorite tournament fighting film too. This film also inspired the video game Mortal Kombat and for that? This film is twice as awesome to me. This is a film where you see JCVD at his peak and this is my second favorite JCVD flick after Hard Target and Universal Soldier. It holds up really well to this day and it's a shame the film does not have a special edition on DVD and Blu Ray. The film does have a big cult following so it not getting any features to this day is lame. Great concept, great cast, charismatic characters, bad ass fights, and a kick ass soundtrack. This is definitely one of the best martial arts flicks ever made without a doubt for me. Fell in love with the film ever since I saw it on VHS when I was a kid.

As for the Bloodsport sequels? For the most part? They all suck. They can't even hold a candle to this film. Bloodsport is a classic and a fight that is worth watching anytime, anywhere. I still own this movie on VHS and on Blu-ray. I don't have the DVD I don't need it. I am going to say it again I love this movie to death, it is my childhood JCVD film and I grew up with it. I have always enjoy it. It has a real bloody bad-ass fights. Van Damme and Yeung kicks fighters to the ground. Original this movie was almost never released, but Van Damme helped edit the film so that it could be released, this movie is praised and loved all over the World including Asia, USA and East Europe. The real Frank Dux was the fighting coordinator for this film. When Jean-Claude Van Damme was cast, Dux announced that Van Damme wasn't nearly in good enough shape, and put him through a 3-month training program. Van Damme called those three months "the hardest training of his life" - this despite being a world-championship martial artist in his own right.

It does feel good to go re-watch films like this especially dealing with the very sad fact that films like this classic aren't made anymore and seeing Van Damme these days on film, he just seems to stone faced or depressed. I have enjoyed training sequences, flashback sequences on Frank Dux's earlier childhood life and a life of a young man. The chase sequences where Helmer and Rawlis are chasing Dux was hilarious and very entertaining. Chong Li, in my opinion, is one of the best non horror villains out there. My personal favorite JCVD villain and my favorite martial arts villain. Also, though it isn't the same character; almost like a bizarro world version, another Chong Li appears in a movie called Bloodfight (Bloodsport knockoff) played by Bolo Yeung. Van Damme maybe had some problems in his later years, but I always admired him for everything he did to make this movie well known back in '88, from re-editing the original cut to promoting the movie by putting posters of it himself in cinemas. This movie for me is a perfect 10, I don't care what anyone says.

In this early starring vehicle, Jean-Claude Van Damme plays the real-life Frank W. Dux (as in, "Put up your Dux!"). Frank's an American soldier who goes A. W. O. L. in order to travel to Hong Kong and participate in the Kumite, a brutal, full contact martial arts tournament. It's so brutal, in fact, that some who enter the contest don't make it out alive. While Frank is pursued by government agents (played by Norman Burton and Forest Whitaker) who mean to take him back to the U. S., he makes friends with amiable giant Jackson (Donald Gibb) and attempts to romance reporter Janice Kent (Leah Ayres).

There isn't much in terms of story throughout this relatively brief movie (93 minutes all told), but devotees of the action genre will get what they aim to see. "Bloodsport" is deftly edited, adequately paced, effectively gory at times, and features enough intense fighting to make it suitable entertainment. Van Damme may not have been much of an actor at this point, but he was already displaying that easygoing charm that has served him well. Gibb, best known as Ogre in "Revenge of the Nerds", delivers a lively performance as his new buddy. Ms. Ayres ("The Burning") does a decent job as the requisite romantic interest and certainly is very easy on the eyes. Burton and Whitaker are good as the government guys just trying to do their jobs; it's fun to see them attend the final matches and actually start enjoying the spectacle. Genre legend Bolo Yeung is a perfect villain as Chong Li, the reigning champion of the Kumite who's developed an enormous ego. Roy Chiao (Bruce Lee's "Game of Death") as Frank's mentor Tanaka and Philip Chan ("Double Impact") as police captain Chen are excellent in support. By the time of the big confrontation / fight at the end, sufficient rooting interest has been generated.

Just before the end credits, we get a summary of the accomplishments in the real Frank Dux's life - a lot of which turned out to be total B. S.!

Seven out of 10.

I love this man. His acting wasn't very good. (I do think though it improved over time... a little.)

Bloodsport was inspiration for a whole generation to start learning martial arts. A Cult movie. I grew up some of my life in Asia and it amuses me to see those buff cliché white men jumping around through colourful, but grubby marketplaces/ back alleys. In fact the whole movie is simple and has even a nice tidy cliché structure: Man starts terribly, improves through tough training and develops into sexy fighting machine. Some people who commented on this movie said he is no Bruce Lee. But that is the beauty of it. He is somebody from a western country trying to measure up and fit into the eastern culture. Good stuff.

If you like Karate, you will love this. I like the fight scenes, and the bad guy in the film is always a bad guy in Karate movies. ( ie Enter The Dragon) It is a bit sloppy in spots, but considering the budget you can not hit this film too hard. It is a good film to see if your mad or angry at someone.

Van Damme can't act to save himself but this isn't supposed to be highbrow. It's a piece of pure ham but as good a waste of time as you're likely to get.

The movie is good fun at its best. The storyline is average, the acting is okay, but I had a good time watching it, and that is what counts. As Frank Dux,Jean-Claude Van Damme , enters the Kumite, an illegal martial arts tournament. The police are after him, his competition is fierce and there is no mercy where he is heading. Each fighter has his own style of fighting. This is what makes this movie the most interesting. Being a martial arts film, this is probably one of the most famous ones, and for Jean-Claude Van Damme, his best movie. Well recommended if you are a fan of the genre, other wise you might be disappointed. This is Jean-Claude at his best!!

Bloodsport is, and always will be, Van Damme's greatest display of his martial talent. While it seems to have a similar storyline to other martial arts films, this one differs in that it is based on the true events of Frank Dux, who also assisted the fighters for this movie.

Anyone at all that doubts Van Damme's talent as a fighter, should see this film.

Bolo Yeung also makes a spectacular appearance as the evil one in the tournament. He acts about as cruel and heartless as one can get, and he makes the perfect climax for the film.

If you are after a good quality martial arts film, and you haven't seen Bloodsport, then this is the one for you. If you have seen it, then you will know why it deserves the title of 'best martial arts film of the century'.

"Bloodsport," the 1988 debut vehicle of Belgian martial artist and "actor" Jean-Claude Van Damme, opens with one of the most impressive montages of fighters preparing for the Kumite, an illegal full-contact mixed martial arts tournament held in Hong Kong. It gets the audience ready for the bloodiest cultural display of martial arts combat in decades.

We're told that there are three ways to win a match in the Kumite:

1) You knock the guy out

2) The opponent gives up and shouts "matte," which is like saying uncle

3) You knock the other fighter right off the mat

Enter into the picture, clean-shaved United States military intelligence officer Frank Dux (Van Damme), of whom this film's story is supposedly based off of. Dux became the first Westerner to win the Kumite, after going AWOL from his post (and two officers including Norman Burton and an underused Forest Whitaker are dispatched to retrieve him), and used his superior combat training, indomitable spirit, and iron will to defeat the legions of vicious opponents sent his way. Dux (like, "put up your dukes") is first introduced as a teenager, coming under the tutelage of a venerable martial arts master who instructs the young man in a brutal regiment of non-stop combative training to prepare him for the Kumite.

Once in Hong Kong, Dux befriends fellow American Ray Jackson (Donald Gibb), also a Kumite fighter, and the two prepare for combat. There is a lot of mystery surrounding this illegal martial arts tournament, which has its origins in ancient Chinese culture. No one will talk about it, especially to nosy reporters like Janice Kent (Leah Ayres), much less pick fights outside the ring, which would result in an automatic disqualification if a brawl took place outside the Kumite.

When it comes time for the action of the great tournament, 40 or so fighters look over one another, eager in anticipation of jumping into the ring and duking it out. But Dux and Ray are prepared, but nothing can ready them for the hulking South Korean fighter and current Kumite champ Chong Li ("Enter the Dragon" Bolo Yeung), who has a reputation for fighting dirty and is rumored to have once killed one of his opponents.

The validity of Dux's story and military background have come under intense scrutiny in recent years but I'm not paying any attention to it. All I can do is pay attention to what's in front of me. "Bloodsport" is a perfect star-making vehicle for the Muscles From Brussels, though some studio execs didn't think so. Van Damme had to fight like there was no tomorrow to get "Bloodsport" released and even then, the critics were still not impressed but who cares? It's no where near as bad as it was made out to be, it still made the man a star, and the basis for one of my favorite fighters from "Mortal Kombat," Johnny Cage.

Director Newt Arnold keeps a fine pace but the only things that seem to hold it back are some cheesy moments of levity and Van Damme's acting (surprise, surprise). Again, who cares? "Bloodsport" is a martial arts movie, first and foremost - why a need for acting? When the combat begins (with action choreographed by the real-life Dux himself), blood flows as one fighter after the other is knocked out leaving a titanic duel between only-standing Dux to duke it out with the brutal Chong Li. In between, though, we see many great styles from all over the world including straight-up Chinese gong-fu, Karate, Hapkido (my own current style of training), Capoeira, Sumo, Monkey, Muay Thai, and some good old-fashioned American brawling.

Even in recent years, "Bloodsport" is still a wholly decent affair that does get bogged down in some cheap Hollywood theatrics. Van Damme doesn't seem to be fairing well either in these times, but we still have this film and some of his good earlier works to appreciate.

7/10

Recently I revisited Bloodsport for the first time since my initial viewing at the theater in 1988. Surprisingly, the movie holds up well...far better than I was expecting...and probably better than the dubious history of real-life fighter(?) Fred Dux.

Upon my initial viewing one of my problems with Bloodsport was the lack of flashy fighting sequences. But, in today's MMA world the fights look pretty darn good and with the exception of the bouncy-guy and the finale with the over-the-top acting, the rest of the fighting rings surprisingly realistic.

Bloodsport was VanDamme's first movie and it still holds up as one of his best. I have a soft-spot in my heart for Timecop as well. If you're in the mood for a simple bubblegum movie on a Friday night, then this is a great flashback to the hey-day of 1980s action movies. The pod-cast Don and his Amazing Friend recently did an episode reviewing the movie which is worth listening to (www.donandhisamazingfriend.com).

This is one of the best Van Damme movies with overwhelming combats and spectacular scenes . The picture displays lots of violence, action filled, thrills and fierce combats. The breathtaking fights are magnificently choreographed . It deals with Frank Dux (Jean Claude Van Dame, at the time being a world-championship martial artist in his own right) has spent most his life being trained by Tanaka (Roy Chao) to participate in the Kumite, the ultimate martial arts tournament . Frank learns about a sacred-fighting and martial arts from a Chinese wise man . Frank decides to go to Hong Kong , despite being banned by his superiors in the army that he can't because they need him ; however Frank flees and two officers (Norman Burton , Forest Whitaker) are sent to get him and the way leads to Hong Kong . There being also pursued by the officials but Frank eludes them . In Hong Kong takes place the secret contest where the world's greatest warriors fight in a battle to the death . And naturally , once Frank manages to get into the competition , his opponents are defeated . Frank befriends a tough and bouncing contestant (Donald Gibb) and falls in love with a journalist (Leah Ayres) . He must avenge the almost death of his friend and regain the Kumite prize . The movie is based on a book by Frank Dux and was touted as a true story. However, since then much doubt has arisen about the veracity of Dux's story and now the majority of martial-arts enthusiasts view his accounts of competing in secret tournaments as complete fiction, as well as his claims of military service and being an undercover CIA operative. Some have pointed out that he is the only source that these secret tournaments exist, and that nobody else has come forward to confirm his story or ell their own version.

Entertaining film plenty of kick-boxing action , Full Contact and the sound of bones cracking . This is a colourful, Hong Kong set and enough budget movie ; leave no cliché untouched , though the fighting are well staged . Being based upon true events in the life of Frank Dux who founded the first American Ninjitsu system . The real Frank Dux was the fighting coordinator for this movie , when Jean-Claude Van Damme was cast, Dux announced that Van Damme wasn't nearly in good enough shape, and put him through a 3-month training program. Van Damme called those three months "the hardest training of his life". Though Frank Dux's brick-breaking demonstration is purely fictional, the "Death Touch" is a legendary move fabled in Chinese martial arts folklore ; it is an accu-pressure attack where the attacker quickly strikes his opponent several times at various spots on his body. Striking an opponent in this method can result in broken bones, paralysis/painful muscle spasms or even instant death . Bolo Yeung is magnificent as a sadistic fighter ; the majority of Bolo Yeung's lines are similar to Bruce Lee's in ¨Enter the Dragon¨, in which Bolo appeared . Catching musical score composed in the 80s style and made by means synthesizer . The motion picture was professionally directed by Newton Arnold ; however , even after it was filmed, the movie was almost never released, but Jean-Claude Van Damme helped edit the film so that it could be . The result is a strong entry for action buffs, though strictly for Jean Claude Van Damme fans . Followed by two sequels : ¨Bloodsport 2¨ The next Kumite¨(1995) by Alan Meherez with Daniel Bernhardt , Pat Morita and James Hong and ¨Bloodsport 3¨ with Daniel Berhhart , John Rhys Davies and James Hong .

If you look at the rating for this film it is only 5.8 percent at present that is a serious understatement of this films genius. This film deserves a much more higher rating. Okay its not an Oscar winner for acting, but who cares! its not about acting its about true martial arts and fighting on the big screen and Bloodsport brings this to you superbly. One of my favourite movies it also provides the Rocky pump, as in like Rocky it has the emotion both in action and through the films music and the fighting makes you want to get up and starting punching and kicking anything! and you don't get that sort of feeling with many films. Rocky had it and Bloodsport has it, and if a fighting film makes you get up and fight your living room wall then its a winner! Van Damme is excellent, his fighting manoeuvres are breathtaking, the range of different styles of fighters is great and well know martial artist Bolo Yeung's destruction of all opponents is wonderfully filmed, and as Van Dammes main contender we have a great adventure. All the fighters give great performances and the fighting scenes are superb. Great performance from big Donald Gibb as the hilarious Ray Jackson. His running punch on his first opponent is worth watching for that alone! Donald Gibb is excellent and brings humour to the role as well as some excellent and sometimes hilarious no nonsense fighting! The story too is superb, the kumite bringing the worlds greatest fighters together and by invitation only and the location also brilliant. Hiden in the depths of Hong Kong badlands. A winner in all departments. I remember watching this with friends and going out in the garden for some Bloodsport kicking and punching well not each other, thin air! but it makes you feel alive. Not many films do that. 10/10 for me. Fantastic film!

Yes, 6.8 to a 7.0, that is being generous. Still, it is my favorite Van Damn film. And it is watchable over and over again every few years. Timeless characters. You can not forget them. Classic Van Damme at his peak level of physical fitness. Great 80's musical score. 1980's was a GREAT decade for entertaining films that hold up over time. Those films represent a time when many of us were also young and good looking... way back then.

I can't find a movie that could better depict the worst movie making in the world. Even an Ed Wood movie is better at its worst then Bloodsports. I actually have to use ten lines to describe how bad this movie is. The fact that it is so outrageously unrealistic and the martial arts so patheically....well pathetic, is only cracking the surface of how bad this movie is. Said to be a man's movie.....only a man who can find nothing but an unworthy, terrible action movie would watch this instead. While respect must be given to Jean in other movies I must try hard and harder to forgive him for such a weak attempt in trying to bring martial arts to the big screen. Thank goodness he has improved.

Honestly... this is my favorite movie of all time. I'm a huge action fan and this movie remains to this day my favorite fighting movie... nay, favorite movie period, of all time. Granted, there is no good acting and there was no reason for all the splits the man performs, but damn it the tournament was the greatest in-movie fighting tournament I've ever seen. Never duplicated or improved upon. Yes, they did stereotype everyone in the world.... literally, but boy was it funny... and oh so entertaining to see how they put the fights together.

Greatest fighting movie of all time... a perfect cult classic... and the ultimate treat for the Van Damm fan

Let's not beat around the bush, this is one of the worst films ever made. It was a time where it was acceptable but not in today's standards. The acting is atrocious and the fight choreography is beyond bad. Films made like this today would not see the light of day. Can all the morons stop rating this 10/10 because your opinion is worthless.

Bloodsport is an excellent movie, which includes everything a martial arts fan can possibly dream off... Great fight-choreography, excellent filming, fine music and a good story. The movie takes you to a world of fighting where "only the strongest wins". Jean Claude van Damme as Frank Dux, a young, talented martial artist. This was THE movie for van Damme, beside Kickboxer, he has never preformed so well.

Watch & Enjoy !!