Overview: Jean-Claude Van Damme (Black Eagle, Hard Target) stars as a soldier drawn into the world of modern-day gladiators fighting for the amusement of the rich in this fast-moving action thriller co-written by Van Damme himself!

Upon receiving news that his brother in Los Angeles is seriously injured, Lyon Gaultier (Van Damme) Deserts the French Foreign Legion from a remote outpost in North Africa. Fleeing from two of the Legion’s security force who have orders to bring him back at any cost, Lyon reluctantly turns to the illegal, bare-knuckles underground fighting circuit to raise the money he needs to help his brother’s family.

From legendary action director Sheldon Lettich (Double Impact, Bloodsport), this riveting action adventure also stars Harrison Page (Bad Ass), Brian Thompson (The Terminator), Ashley Johnson (The Help) and a cameo appearance by Jeff Speakman (The Perfect Weapon) and combines the raw power and charisma of Van Damme with the exciting world of no-holds-barred street fighting.

Blu-ray Verdict: Between 1979-2022, Jean-Claude Van Damme of martial arts fame, appeared in 76 feature films! In the early 1990s I watched a few of his films on rented VHS tapes. Nothing memorable. Good for an afternoon of nothingness. I myself actually recently rewatched this movie from an old VHS tape because I was interested in learning how the French Foreign Legion (FFL) and natives in the Sahara Desert had been depicted by Hollywood on the big screen (trust me, this 4K print knocks the socks of that old VHS tape!).

The film starts off in LA where the brother of our hero, Lyon, is badly injured in a botched drug deal and is screaming for Lyon from his hospital bed. The movie then shifts to a FFL base in the small Arab country of Djibouti, where Lyon is based. The base commander refuses to allow Lyon a leave, so he makes a spectacular escape and stows away on a ship departing Djibouti. Two other legionnaires in civvies are on his trail with orders to recapture him. That’s all we see of Africa. Only minutes.

After a long voyage our hero makes it to the USA, where most of the film’s main events play out. The injured brother perishes before Lyon can get to LA, leaving behind a widow (Deborah Rennard) and a little daughter. The widow is furious that Lyon did not make it to LA before his brother died and wants nothing to do with him although her debts are piling up.

Lyon decides to earn money in no-holds-barred bare-knuckle street fighting and send it to his brother’s widow. Lyon starts with small fry opponents and as his wins pile up his fame as a fighter grows. In the meantime he picks up a manager (Harrison Page). His opponents get tougher and tougher and his fights harder and harder; climaxing into being pitted against a brute of a man while nursing a bruised rib (which if you are playing along at home is the exact same formula as both Rocky and The Karate Kid.

The ending is a happy ending with Lyon winning the big showdown, reconciling with his brother’s widow, and settling in with her and her daughter in LA. Also, and interestingly enough, the two legionnaires on his trail witness Lyon’s heroics and decide that he earned his freedom from the clutches of the FFL.

The movie is action-packed and fast-moving. The fight scenes were well done. In fact, the entire production was a quality one; including acting, the sets, and cinematography. Certainly not a B-movie. In fact, it was a $6 million project that brought in over $7 million on its first weekend of release back in 1990. [R.K.]

Bonus Features:
Director Approved 2025 4K Scan & Restoration (2160p - 16-Bit Scan of the Original Camera Negative) of the extended “A.W.O.L. Cut” of the movie presented in 1.78:1 Aspect Ratio in HDR
Audio: LPCM 2.0 Stereo (4K + Blu-ray) and 5.1 Surround (Blu-ray)
Optional English Subtitles
NEW! Audio Commentary by Director Sheldon Lettich moderated by Heath Holland
Archival audio commentary by Sheldon Lettich & Harrison Page (4K & Blu-ray) The Story of Lionheart (Blu-ray, HD) (Documentary featuring interviews with cast and crew including JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME)
Inside Lionheart with the Filmmakers and Cast (Blu-ray, HD) (Featuring interviews with cast and crew including JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME)
Lionheart: Behind the Fights (Blu-ray, HD) (Featuring interviews with cast and crew including JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME)
Archival Making of featurette (8:53) (Blu-ray, SD)
Archival Interview with Sheldon Lettich (25:52) (Blu-ray, SD)
Archival Interview with Harrison Page (13:05) (Blu-ray, SD)
Behind the Scenes of the Audio Commentary Archival featurette (5:40) (Blu-ray, SD)
Original Theatrical Trailer (Blu-ray, SD)
Collectible Lionheart “4K LaserVision” Mini-Poster
Reversible Cover Artwork (with original Rewind artwork on the reverse side)
Limited Edition Slipcover (*FIRST PRESSING ONLY)

Official Trailer

Official Purchase Link