Best Van Damme Movies

Here is my pick of the best Jean Claude Van Damme movies of all time. Have a read and let me know what you think in the comments below.

No Retreat No Surrender (1986)

Director: Corey Yuen

I remember seeing the ‘No Retreat No Surrender’ poster up at my local cinema all those years ago. Sadly I never got to see it on the big screen. Still kick myself to this day. Only watched it when Entertainment in video released it on to the rental video market.

 

 

The UK blu ray is not the cut we know and love. You need the US Kino Lorber release which includes both the international cut and US & UK theatrical cut

Synopsis:

Ivan The Russian Butcher Kraschinsky (Jean-Claude Van Damme, Hard Target, Double Impact) faces off with Jason Kid Karate Stillwell (Kurt McKinney, Sworn to Justice) in a do-or-die battle between good and evil. Jason is an avid admirer of Bruce Lee, but has suffered countless defeats. At his lowest emotional ebb Jason is visited by Bruce Lee s spirit (Kim Tai Chong, Game of Death) offering to teach him all his closely guarded secrets. Jason s training is quickly put to its ultimate test when a crime syndicate threatens to take over Seattle as the fate of Jason s karate school hangs in the balance. Jason is forced to submit to a trial by combat against the syndicate champion, Ivan, an unstoppable butcher who has made mincemeat out of all the black belts he s faced before and there s no retreat and no surrender. Directed by action-great Corey Yuen (The Transporter and Jet Li s The Legend and The Legend II).

Special Features

94-Minute International Cut

Interview with Star Kurt McKinney

Audio Commentary by Screenwriter Keith W. Strandberg

Trailers

Bloodsport (1988)

Director: Newt Arnold

I watched ‘Bloodsport’ at the UK cinema way back in 1989. First Van Damme film I watched on the big screen.

 

 

‘Bloodsport’ was released on 4k & Blu Ray on the 21st of August 2023 by Capelight in the UK. There was a steelbook and TWO mediabooks for you to choose from. Check the pictures for cover artwork. Never been a fan of mediabooks which are very popular in Germany so I bought the steelbook. Please check out the unboxing below. Safly no  24-page Booklet with the steelbook.

Synopsis:

In his youth, American Frank Dux (Jean-Claude Van Damme) was taught the art of ninjitsu by Japanese martial arts master Senzo Tanaka. When he finds out Tanaka is dying, Dux travels to Hong Kong in his honor to participate in the Kumite – a secret full-contact competition in which fighters from all over the world put their lives on the line. He has only one goal in mind; to leave the arena as the winner…

Special Features

2-disc Limited Collector’s Edition with film in 4k Ultra HD with Dolby Vision for the FIRST TIME EVER WORLDWIDE and these exciting Bonus Features:
An Uppercut Into the Action Movie A-List – A Knock out Interview with Jean-Claude Van Damme
Blood Writes – Writing a Cannon Classic with Sheldon Lettich;
Wham! Bam! Thank You, Van Damme! – Back in The Ring with Director of Photography David Worth
A Sporting Chance – Blood, Sweat, and Stunts with Paulo Tocha
Tunes to Tap Out to – The Music of Paul Hertzog
Audio Commentary with Sheldon Lettich, Paulo Tocha and James Bennett
Theatrical Trailer
24-page Booklet

Lionheart (1990)

a.k.a. A.W.O.L. Absent Without Leave, Full Contact, 

Director: Sheldon Lettich

When this was released at the cinema in the UK in was titled ‘A.W.O.L. Absent Without Leave’ This is Van Damme’s version of ‘Hard Times’ The Charles Bronson film. Great fights in different locations. The fight in the pool is visually exciting. Love the song played at the end. It’s still not be released. Soundtrack is very hard to find and also very expensive. I thought someone would have re-released it by now. 

Synopsis:

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.

Special Features
  • High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations of the main feature
  • Original 2.0 Stereo Audio (Uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray) and Dolby Digital 5.1
  • Audio commentary by Sheldon Lettich & Harrison Page
  • NEW – ‘The Story of ‘Lionheart” (HD) (All new documentary featuring interviews with cast and crew including JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME)
  • NEW – ‘Inside ‘Lionheart’ with the Filmmakers and Cast’ (HD) (Featuring interviews with cast and crew including JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME)
  • NEW – ”Lionheart’: Behind the Fights’ (HD) (Featuring interviews with cast and crew including JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME)
  • ‘Making of’ featurette (8:53) (SD)
  • Interview with Sheldon Lettich (25:52) (SD)
  • Interview with Harrison Page (13:05) (SD)
  • ‘Behind the Scenes of the Audio Commentary’ featurette (5:40) (SD)
  • Original Theatrical Trailer (SD)
  • Collectible Mini Poster

Double Impact (1991)

Director: Sheldon Lettich

I watched ‘Double Impact’ at the UK cinema way back in 1991.

 

 

‘Double Impact’ was released Blu Ray on the 28th of August 2023 by 88 Films in the UK. Check out my unboxing video below.

Strictly Limited to 3000 Units so BUY NOW!

Synopsis:

After Jean-Claude Van Damme’s breakout film Bloodsport (1988) which was quickly followed by popular hits like Cyborg (1989) and Kickboxer (1989), the Belgian martial arts legend returned for Double Impact (1991), presenting us with a dual-role piece of hi-octane fight fun.

Playing both Chad and Alex, two long-lost twin brothers who reluctantly join forces to fight the evil triads, the muscles from Brussels delivers twice the thrills in this fast action thriller which seldom disappoints.

Special Features

High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray™ presentation in 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio
2.0 English DTS-HD MA
Optional English SDH
Audio Commentary with Critics Kim Newman and Sean Hogan
Seeing Double – Vic Armstrong on Double Impact
Double Entendre – Sheldon Lettich on Double Impact
The Making of Double Impact: Part 1
The Making of Double Impact: Part 2
Deleted / Extended Scenes
Anatomy of a Scene
Behind the Scenes Featurette
B-Roll Selections
Film Clips
Cast and Crew Interviews Clips
Stills Gallery

Universal Soldier (1992)

Director: Roland Emmerich

Jean Claude Vs Dolph… what more could a 90’s action fan want. 

 

 

Studiocanal have released ‘Universal Soldier’ on 4K & Blu Ray in the UK

Synopsis:

A team of elite soldiers are used by the government to fight terrorism. With exceptional physical capabilities, they seem to be the perfect soldiers. But behind their existence there is a secret; they are not human, but fighting machines, created from the bodies of soldiers killed in the Vietnam war through the wonders of advanced genetic engineering. But things begin to go wrong when two of the soldiers, Luc Devreux [Jean-Claude Van Damme] and Andrew Scott [Dolph Lundgren] begin to regain their memory – and a violent feud that should have died years ago is reborn.

Special Features

Audio Commentary featuring Roland Emmerich, Jean-Claude van Damme, Dolph Lundgren und Dean Devlin
A tale of two titans
Guns, Genes and Fighting Machines
Alternate Ending
Behind The Scenes
Trailer

For the very first time, UNIVERSAL SOLDIER will be available in 4K Ultra HD including Dolby Vision HDR, a stunning format offering four times the resolution of full HD to bring entertainment to life through ultra-vivid picture quality.

Hard Target (1993)

Director: John Woo

Was super excited when I heard that Jean Claude was making a movie with John Woo. I remember having my mind blown when I first saw a clip from John Woo’s ‘The Killer’ on a late night video review program. Walked miles to the video shop the very next day to hire the tape out. I also walked home from the same video shop with a Van Damme (bloodsport) standee under my arm a few years earlier.

 

 

Universal Pictures have released ‘Hard Target’ on 4K & Blu Ray in the UK. Limited edition steelbook and standard edition.

Synopsis:

The thrill of the hunt. It’s the ultimate drug, and the more intense the rush, the higher the price. International superstar Jean-Claude Van Damme teams up with world-famous action director John Woo for this electrifying thriller. Van Damme is the target of an evil mercenary (Lance Henriksen) who recruits homeless combat veterans for the “amusement” of his clients — bored tycoons who will pay a half a million dollars to stalk and kill the most challenging prey of them all: Man. Laced with dark humour and slam-packed with electrifying action, Hard Target is a must-see for action fans.

Special Features

Premium Collector’s Edition – Individually Numbered & limited to 2000 copies worldwide. – Hard Target 2 Blu-Ray Bonus Disc – Gloss and Embossed Steelbook – Rigid slipcase with spot gloss detail – 40pp Production Notes book – 8x Lobby Cards – Double Sided Poster.

Timecop (1994)

Director: Peter Hyams

Probably Van Damme’s best none martial art movie. Enjoyed it when I watched it at the cinema. Still love the Van Damme line

I’m still kicking. I must be on Broadway.

 

 

 

The UK blu ray for ‘Timecop’ was released a long time ago. I think we need a new 4K release ASAP. 

Synopsis:

At the dawn of the 21st century, time travel is a reality, and the technology is guarded by lawmen like Max Walker (Jean-Claude Van Damme). But when he must go back to stop his ex-partner from altering the past for personal gain, Walker is caught in a dangerous, time-hopping conspiracy involving a corrupt senator. Ron Silver, Mia Sara, Bruce McGill co-star in this adaptation of the Dark Horse Comic by Mike Richardson and Mark Verheiden; directed by Peter Hyam (“2010”).

Special Features

Sadly no BTS or deleted scenes. Hopefully we will get more extras if the film gets a 4k release in the future. If certainly needs one.

Sudden Death (1995)

Director: Peter Hyams

It’s ‘Die Hard’ at the ice rink. Powers Boothe is fantastic as the villain here. I remembering missing the ending of the film at the cinema because I was busting for the toilet.

 

 

 

The UK blu ray for ‘Sudden Death’ is pretty barebones . I think we need a new 4K release of this and ‘Timecop’ ASAP. 

Synopsis:

Darren McCord (Jean-Claude Van Damme) must rescue his little girl from terrorists who have interrupted the Stanley Cup ice hockey final. The bad guys threaten to blow everybody up unless they get a billion dollars from the treasury by the end of the game. McCord has his work cut out if he’s going to stop the explosion and retrieve his child before that final buzzer.

Special Features

Sadly no BTS or deleted scenes. Hopefully we will get more extras if the film gets a 4k release in the future. If certainly needs one.

Maximum Risk (1996)

Director: Ringo Lam

One of JCVD’s very best movies, with maverick director Ringo Lam keeping the action at boiling point

Synopsis:

When French cop Alain Moreau (Jean-Claude Van Damme) discovers the man who looks exactly like him, he enters a whole new world of hurt. The dead man wasn’t just the identical twin brother Alain knew nothing about, he was a key player in the Russian mafia. Following the trail to New York, Alain teams up with Alex, (Natasha Henstridge, Species) his late brother’s fiancé, and uses the family resemblance to get inside the mob and tear it down from within. But he’s playing a very dangerous game…

Special Features
  • Numbered Slipcase
  • Booklet Notes – Wham-Bam Thank you Van Damme, Maximum Risk, Maximum Reward by James Oliver
  • Fold-out A3 Poster
  • High Definition Blu-ray Presentation (1080p) in Original 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
  • 5.1 DTS-HD & 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio
  • Audio Commentary with Action cinema aficionado & game producer Audi Sorlie
  • Optional English Subtitles
  • Original Trailer

Knock Off (1998)

Director: Tsui Hark

This is one crazy movie written by the guy who wrote ‘Die Hard’ Some great action thanks to Sammo Hung. 

Synopsis:

When a shipment of jeans to the USA prove counterfeit, Marcus Ray, the King of the Knock-offs Van Damme), finds himself at the centre of a Russian Mafia plot to hold the United States security to ransom. Thousands of tiny micro-bombs disguised within other manufactured goods are scheduled for departure from Hong Kong to America. When Ray’s company’s jeans are found to be the housing for the explosives, he’s the one man the CIA can count on to prevent certain disaster. In a territory where loyalty can change hands overnight, Marcus Ray’s survival will depend on him knowing the fakes from the real thing!

Special Features

Numbered Slipcase
A3 Poster
4 x Postcards
HD Transfer in Original 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
Optional English Subtitles
DTS-HD MA 5.1
Theatrical Trailer
[archive] ‘Making Of” Knock Off
[new] Interview with writer Steven E. de Souza
[new] Audio Commentary by action cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema
Reversible Artwork

What do you think of ‘MY’ Best Van Damme Movies list? Let me know YOUR favourite Jean Claude Van Damme movies in the comments below.

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