For me, all roads lead to (or from) Jean-Claude Van Damme. His films have led me to several of my major journalistic endeavors, and just when I think I’ve written enough about them, something always pulls me right back.
In this case, it’s the MVD Rewind Collection’s 4K release of Lionheart (1990). Whether you own the film or not, hardcore fans need to add this reissue to their collection; it’s something special.
Lyon Gaultier (Jean-Claude Van Damme), a soldier in the French Foreign Legion, learns of his brother’s death and begs his superiors for release. When they deny his request, with nothing but the clothes on his back, Lyon escapes to the United States, where he stumbles into an underground fighting ring.
Realizing he has found an opportunity to make good money, he teams up with down-on-his-luck former street fighter Joshua (Harrison Page) to climb the ranks and bank as much money as he can so he can help his brother’s widow and his niece. The head of the organization, Cynthia (Deborah Rennard), has other plans for Lyon when he threatens to leave.
Director Sheldon Lettich is among the few (and the first) filmmakers who truly knew how to elicit strong performances from Jean-Claude Van Damme. Bloodsport and Kickboxer may have launched his career, but it was Lionheart that truly established him as a major star.
With a brilliant supporting cast, including Harrison Page, who is the heart of the film, Van Damme was ready to take on Hollywood. The 4K transfer greatly expands the film’s scope, revealing how polished and sleek the production was.
Aside from the stunning transfer, fans also get a newly assembled cut that runs six minutes longer than the theatrical cut. If you bought the previous MVD release, you’ll know it’s loaded with special features, including an archival commentary by director Lettich, interviews with Lettich, Page, and actress Deborah Rennard, an archival making-of, promotional clips, trailers, a photo gallery, and more. There’s even a newly recorded commentary with Lettich on the 4K disc.
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MVD isn’t just tossing these movies out and hoping people keep buying them, though I’m sure that’s part of it. The company seems just as passionate about these movies as fans are. They made the set worth buying again.
Lionheart is a true action classic that has aged like fine wine. It also cemented Van Damme’s career and gave Sheldon Lettich the opportunity to showcase his skills as a director, handling both the action and the drama with precision that’s hard to top.
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