Lionheart is a 1990 American martial arts film directed by Sheldon Lettich and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Deborah Rennard, Harrison Page, and Lisa Pelikan. The film follows a French Foreign Legionnaire who deserts to the United States and enters the underground fighting circuit to raise money for his murdered brother's family.
Lyon Gaultier (Van Damme) is a soldier in the French Foreign Legion stationed in Djibouti, East Africa. After his brother, who lives in Los Angeles, is set on fire during a drug deal gone bad, Lyon receives a letter from his sister-in-law Hélène begging him to come see his dying brother, who has been calling his name in agony. Lyon escapes the Legion in a daring breakout and sets off across the desert, until he reaches a dockyard on the coast, where he finds work aboard a tramp steamer headed for the United States. Lyon's Legion Commander, anticipating his destination, sends two of his own men to Los Angeles to bring Lyon back to meet court-martial.
Upon arriving in Los Angeles, Lyon discovers that his brother has died and that his sister-in-law is struggling to make ends meet. He decides to enter the underground fighting circuit to raise money for her and his niece. Lyon quickly proves to be a skilled fighter, and he soon becomes the champion of the circuit. However, his success attracts the attention of the Legion, who are still determined to bring him back to France.
Lyon must now fight to stay free and to protect the people he cares about. He must also learn to let go of his past and to embrace his new life in America.
Lionheart is a classic martial arts film with a lot of heart. It is a story about redemption, family, and the pursuit of the American dream. The film was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to launch Van Damme's career as a Hollywood action star.
Lionheart is a must-see film for fans of martial arts films and action films. It is also a good film for anyone who enjoys a story about redemption and the pursuit of happiness.
Watch For Free
If video doesn't play in browser, try another one. The videos work with Opera, Firefox, Chrome, and Edge.
Cast
- Jean-Claude Van Damme as Lyon "Lionheart" Gaultier
- Harrison Page as Joshua Eldridge
- Deborah Rennard as Cynthia Caldera
- Lisa Pelikan as Hélène Gaultier
- Ashley Johnson as Nicole Gaultier
- Ash Adams as Francois Gaultier
- Brian Thompson as Russell
- George McDaniel as Adjutant
- Vojislav Govedarica (Voyo Goric) as Sgt. Hartog
- Michel Qissi as Moustafa
- Stefanos Miltsakis as Jeep Driver
- Billy Blanks as African Legionnaire
- Tony Halme as Security Guard
- Clement von Franckenstein as English Investor
- Abdel Qissi as Attila
- Magic Schwarz as Raquetball Fighter
- Paco Christian Prieto as Pool Fighter
- Stuart F. Wilson as Scottish Fighter
- Jeff Langton as Sonny
- Tony "Satch" Williams as Garage Fighter
- James Brewster Thompson as N.Y. Monster Fighter
- Jeff Speakman as Mansion Security Man
- Christopher M. Brown as Punk leader
Director: Sheldon Lettich
Writers: Stefani Warren Jean-Claude Van Damme Sheldon Lettich
Box Office Gross: $24,271,196
Distributor: Universal Studios
Genre: Action Crime Drama Sport
Release Date: January 11, 1991