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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
    • 42Critic 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

    6.416.1K
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    Featured reviews

    biwbiw

    One of the best

    This is one of the best films I have seen ever. Sure the acting is a bit cheesy, full of one liners and bad jokes, but something about this movie got me stuck to the screen every time I watch it. I am actually quite glad that they casted actors rather than serious martial artist experts (apart from the Rhee's and the Korean Team) to play the various roles in the film.

    This is a good movie for both general film lovers and Martial Art film fans, the end fights are very impressive. Personally, I did not enjoy the sequels that came after this so I say stick to the best. Best of the Best I.
    Arnold-10

    Not great, but frankly, I don't care.

    This is a film that would probably best be enjoyed by those of you who are martial arts fans that like Rocky IV for its training sequences and shameless audience manipulation, and can make an exception for its severe deficiencies in acting, script, directorial effort, and any attempt at originality.

    Luckily for me, I'm one of those people.
    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.
    8steven_oddi

    Truly the Best of the Best

    This film shows all the hall-marks of a classic Martial Art flick where, Alex Grady, a down on his luck karate competitor is chosen to be a part of the US National Karate Team. For three months, Alex with four other would be champions must train hard under the watchful eye of Coach Couzo (James Earl Jones). They must be at their peak if they are to beat the masterful team from Korea.

    This film has it all, from spectacularly choreographed martial arts to the emotions of human life. The fight scenes at the end our breath taking with the two brothers, Simon and Phillip Rhee, showing the true essence of traditional Tae Kwon Do.

    James Earl Jones and Chris Penn add a nice touch of humour throughout the film and the way director, Bob Radler, inter-weaves the stories of the fighters is wonderfully done.

    With the unusual twist at the end this film has to be one of the best martial arts films of all time. Apart from some shady acting at times and an 'over the top' fight with Alex at the end, this film is what every martial art fan dreams about.

    A definate must even if your not a martial art fan.
    dusty-12

    This movie has it all, from triumph to tears.

    I rarely watch a movie twice, and never read a book more than once. I have seen this movie four times, and was moved every time. I would never watch again or recommend Titanic. Best of the Best, was just that, THE BEST.

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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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    FAQ19

    • 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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