Lionheart (1990)
Jean-Claude Van Damme goes AWOL and enters the underground fighting circuit to save his family in this gritty 1990 martial arts action film.
Lionheart - Movie Information
- Original Title: Lionheart
- Release Year: 1990
- Directed by: Sheldon Lettich
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 45m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Spanish
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 7, 1990 (Germany - 18), January 11, 1991 (United States - R), September 1, 1990 (United Kingdom - 18), August 1, 1990 (France - U), November 29, 1990 (Australia - R 18+)
- Alternative Titles: A.W.O.L.: Absent Without Leave (US), Leon Peleador sin Ley (CO), Leão Branco: O Lutador Sem Lei (BR), Corazon de leon (ES), 鸡拼無敷 (CN), A.W.O.L.: Absent Without Leave (UK), Samovolka (RU), Cœur de Lion (CA)
- Production Companies: Universal Pictures, Imperial Entertainment
- Production Countries: United States of America
Lionheart - Plot
Lyon Gaultier is a deserter in the Foreign Legion arriving in the USA entirely hard up. He finds his brother between life and death and his sister-in-law without the money needed to heal her husband and to maintain her child. To earn the money needed, Gaultier decides to take part in some very dangerous clandestine fights.
Lionheart - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the underground action unfold:
When the streets are a jungle... There can only be one king.
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Lionheart - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Sheldon Lettich
Main Cast
- Jean-Claude Van Damme
- Harrison Page
- Lisa Pelikan
- Ashley Johnson
- Deborah Rennard
- Brian Thompson
- Michel Qissi
- Vojislav Govedarica
- Billy Blanks
- Tony Halme
Writers
- Jean-Claude Van Damme
- Sheldon Lettich
Producers
- Eric Karson
- Ash R. Shah
Lionheart - FAQs
What is Lionheart about?
Lionheart follows Lyon Gaultier, a French Foreign Legion soldier who goes AWOL after learning his brother is critically ill in the United States. Broke and desperate, he enters a series of brutal underground street fights to earn enough money to support his brother's wife and young daughter.
Is Lionheart worth watching for action fans?
Absolutely. Lionheart is widely regarded as one of Jean-Claude Van Damme's most entertaining early films. It blends kinetic fight choreography with a surprisingly heartfelt family story. The underground fighting circuit gives the film a gritty, street-level energy that holds up well for fans of classic 1990s martial arts action.
Where can you stream Lionheart right now?
You can stream Lionheart for free on Tubi TV, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, YouTube Free, and Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads. It's also available on Amazon Prime Video and fuboTV with a subscription, or to rent and buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and YouTube.
Does Lionheart have a connection to Bloodsport?
Lionheart shares its DNA with Bloodsport — both feature Van Damme competing in a high-stakes underground fighting tournament. Sheldon Lettich co-wrote Bloodsport before directing Lionheart, and Michel Qissi, who played Tong Po in Kickboxer, appears in both films, giving the two movies a strong thematic and creative connection.
Who are the main cast members in Lionheart?
Jean-Claude Van Damme leads as Lyon Gaultier, with Harrison Page as his street-smart ally Joshua Eldridge. Lisa Pelikan plays his sister-in-law Hélène, Ashley Johnson is young Nicole, and Deborah Rennard plays the scheming promoter Cynthia. Brian Thompson and Billy Blanks also appear as formidable opponents.
Why does Lyon Gaultier go AWOL in Lionheart?
Lyon deserts the French Foreign Legion after learning his brother has been critically injured in Los Angeles. The Legion refuses to grant him leave, so he goes AWOL, making his way to the United States illegally. His decision puts him on the run from Legion authorities throughout the entire film.
Where was Lionheart filmed?
Lionheart was filmed primarily on location in Los Angeles, California. The production leaned into the city's diverse urban landscapes — from gritty back alleys to upscale mansion settings — to contrast the underground fighting world with the wealthy clientele who bet on the bouts.
How much did Lionheart earn at the box office?
Lionheart was a strong commercial success relative to its modest $6 million budget, grossing over $24 million worldwide. That return helped cement Van Damme's status as a bankable action star in Hollywood and paved the way for a string of bigger-budget projects throughout the early 1990s.
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