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IMDbPro

Best of the Best

  • 1989
  • Tous publics
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
16K
YOUR RATING
James Earl Jones, Sally Kirkland, and Eric Roberts in Best of the Best (1989)
Official Trailer
Play trailer2:17
1 Video
69 Photos
Martial ArtsActionDramaSport

A team from the United States is going to compete against Korea in a Tae Kwon Do tournament. The team consists of fighters from all over the country - can they overcome their rivalry and wor... Read allA team from the United States is going to compete against Korea in a Tae Kwon Do tournament. The team consists of fighters from all over the country - can they overcome their rivalry and work together to win?A team from the United States is going to compete against Korea in a Tae Kwon Do tournament. The team consists of fighters from all over the country - can they overcome their rivalry and work together to win?

  • Director
    • Robert Radler
  • Writers
    • Phillip Rhee
    • Paul Levine
    • Max Strom
  • Stars
    • Eric Roberts
    • James Earl Jones
    • Sally Kirkland
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    16K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Robert Radler
    • Writers
      • Phillip Rhee
      • Paul Levine
      • Max Strom
    • Stars
      • Eric Roberts
      • James Earl Jones
      • Sally Kirkland
    • 108User reviews
    • 43Critic reviews
    • 26Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Best of the Best
    Trailer 2:17
    Best of the Best

    Photos69

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    Top cast48

    Edit
    Eric Roberts
    Eric Roberts
    • Alex Grady
    James Earl Jones
    James Earl Jones
    • Frank Couzo
    Sally Kirkland
    Sally Kirkland
    • Catherine Wade
    Phillip Rhee
    Phillip Rhee
    • Tommy Lee
    Chris Penn
    Chris Penn
    • Travis Brickley
    • (as Christopher Penn)
    John Dye
    John Dye
    • Virgil Keller
    David Agresta
    • Sonny Grasso
    Tom Everett
    Tom Everett
    • Don Peterson
    Louise Fletcher
    Louise Fletcher
    • Mrs. Grady
    John P. Ryan
    John P. Ryan
    • Jennings
    Edan Gross
    Edan Gross
    • Walter Grady
    Simon Rhee
    Simon Rhee
    • Dae Han Park
    Master Hee Il Cho
    • Korean Coach
    James Lew
    James Lew
    • Sae Jin Kwon
    Ken Nagayama
    • Yung Kim
    Master Ho Sik Pak
    • Han Cho
    Dae Kyu Chang
    • Tung Sung Moon
    Diane Mizrahi
    • Nurse
    • Director
      • Robert Radler
    • Writers
      • Phillip Rhee
      • Paul Levine
      • Max Strom
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews108

    6.416.3K
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    Featured reviews

    7bamwake-1

    Appreciating Great Trash

    My title says it all....

    There's no rhyme or reason why I like this movie.

    It is what it is

    If your brain requires a 90+ minute shutdown - this is your film...

    Thank you
    reddawn74

    This movie does a great job!

    This movie does a great job of combining martial arts action and is emotional. I have seen all 4 of the series but I have to say that this one and Best of the Best 2 are my favorites. The third one has a lot of great fight scenes but doesn't have quite the kick without Eric Roberts. All the fight scenes weather compitition or a bar fight are wonderfully done. Eric Roberts fighting is really good but Phillip Rhee fighting is just wonderful to watch. His movements are very clean, fluid and powerful.

    There are very strong emotional parts as well that are very well portrayed. I am a huge martial arts fan and have been for many years. So if you want a movie that has good acting. great fight scenes and has a tear jerking emotional feel to it, this is a great movie.
    WTigerPat

    Best of the Best!

    One of the best Karate films ever! I really mean that! It has action, drama and suspense all in the same mood! It has the best ending in a movie ever! In my opinion! Eric Roberts stars as a father just trying to make the team and he does! The acting really is top notch! Eric is the standout, but James Earl Jones is a great actor and you can't forget him! He is just awesome! So buy, rent, or just watch this great movie! It's really that good! Out of 4 stars I give it a 4+
    9Gothic

    Indeed

    Yeah, I mean there will be critics out there who will say, it isn't the greatest acting or dialogue, but the martial arts and the final scene are excellent. Especially from actors such as Eric Roberts and Chris Penn who have had no formal martial arts training. The film is a master piece of martial art cinema, and yes I strongly say it is better than Titanic.
    6ian-jones

    Low budget Martial Arts

    Basically this film is one of the better low budget martial arts films to come our way in the late 80's and early 90's. The plot is for all to see within the first 20 mins or so, it doesn't really get anymore complicated than that other than 1 vital bit of info that is kept from us until 20-30 mins to go. Oh, and also the film doesn't end like most and was quite refreshing to see to be honest.....(I won't spoil it for you, you have to watch it to find out). Yes it's cheap but it is also chearful in a "got nothing else to do or watch one evening kinda way". The VOICE of Darth Vader - James Earl Jones is in a starring role as well as Oscar winner Eric Roberts (Julia's older brother) in a weird role for him, guess money must have been tight back then.....

    Go see it......worth a watch.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Simon and Phillip Rhee, Dae Han and Tommy Lee, are real-life brothers.
    • Goofs
      When Alex receives his letter indicating he has been selected for the National Team, the word Congratulations is misspelled as "congradulations".
    • Quotes

      Dae Han: [during the awards ceremony, slowly hobbling towards Tommy Lee and putting his medal around Tommy Lee's neck] To save a life in defeat is to earn victory and honor within. Your brother too, was a great fighter. I deeply regret your loss, and I offer myself as your brother.

      Tommy Lee: [Putting his head down and tearfully crying. Raises his head back up and accepts his apology]

    • Connections
      Edited into Best of the Best 2 (1993)
    • Soundtracks
      Tales of Power
      Written by Jim Capaldi, Carlos Santana, C. Thompson and Orestes Vilato (as Orestes Vilató)

      Performed by Jim Capaldi

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    FAQ

    • How long is Best of the Best?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 4, 1990 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Lo mejor de lo mejor
    • Filming locations
      • Seoul, South Korea
    • Production companies
      • The Movie Group
      • SVS Films
      • Kuys Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $5,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,700,000
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $990,000
      • Nov 12, 1989
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,700,000
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 37 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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