The Blood of Heroes

Theater date: 1989-10-19

Blu-ray release date: N/A

Rated: N/A

5.88 (IMDB)

Genre: ActionAdventureScience Fiction

Language: en

Status: Released

Length: 1h 40min

Languages:

English

Description:

Set in a futuristic world where the only sport that has survived in a wasted society is the brutal game known as jugging. Sallow, the leader of a rag-tag team, has played in the main Leagues before, but was cast out because of indiscretions with a lady. Now joined by a talented newcomer, Kidda, an ambitious young peasant girl, he and his team find they have one last chance for glory.

Top Cast >

Rutger Hauer

As Sallow

Anna Katarina

As Big Cimber

Delroy Lindo

As Mbulu

Joan Chen

As Kidda

Gandhi MacIntyre

As Gandhi

Vincent D'Onofrio

As Young Gar

Justin Monjo

As Dog Boy

Casey Huang

As Kidda's Father

Quang Dinh

As Samchin Head Elder

John Doumtsis

As Samchin Timekeeper

Hugh Keays-Byrne

As Lord Vlle

Max Fairchild

As Gonzo

Basil Clarke

As Red City Overlord

Richard Norton

As Bone

Cecilia Wong

As Kidda's Mother

Top Crew >

David Webb Peoples

Writer, Director

Charles Roven

Producer

Richard Francis-Bruce

Executive Producer, Editor

Phil Cross

Steadicam Operator, Camera Operator

Katrina Crook

Clapper Loader

Ollie Hall

Stunts

Richard Norton

Stunts

Don Vaughn

Stunts

Nick Mayo

Focus Puller

Frank Hammond

Second Unit Director of Photography

Derry Field

Focus Puller

Grahame Litchfield

Key Grip

Louise Innes

First Assistant Editor

Jeff Jensen

Stunts

John Breslin

Clapper Loader

Donah Bassett

Negative Cutter

Glenn Ruehland

Stunt Coordinator

Adrien Seffrin

Clapper Loader

Peter Terakes

Assistant Camera

Patricia A. Galvin

First Assistant Editor

Steve Rackman

Stunts

Lee Rice

Stunts

Richard Ritchie

Color Timer

Mitch Deans

Stunts

Douglas 'Rocky' McDonald

Stunts

Josef Schwaiger

Stunts

Greg Stuart

Stunts

Danny Baldwin

Stunts

Guy Norris

Stunt Coordinator

Jo Weeks

Continuity

Robert McFarlane

Still Photographer

David Eggby

Director of Photography

John Roesch

Foley Artist

Sonja Smuk

Makeup Artist

Dennie Thorpe

Foley Artist

Marnie Moore

Foley Artist

Wendy Sainsbury

Makeup Artist

Chris Goldsmith

Boom Operator

Luis Colina

Foley Editor

Robyn Austin

Makeup Artist

Nik Dorning

Makeup Artist

Marjory Hamlin

Makeup Artist

Lesley Vanderwalt

Makeup Artist

Paige Sartorius

Dialogue Editor

John Stoddart

Production Design

Frances McDonald

Art Department Coordinator

Neville Maxwell

Special Effects Coordinator

Terry Ryan

Costume Design

Bonnie Timmermann

Casting

John Wingrove

Art Direction

Helen Mather

Machinist

Liz Neate

Machinist

Alison Barrett

Casting

Kate Green

Machinist

Todd Boekelheide

Original Music Composer

Reviews:

Mekratrig

A Minor Classic.

My own opinion is this post apocalyptic flic deserves to be right up there with the best of the Mad Max films, and I suspect an indifferent ad campaign doomed it from the start. I love it when a film delivers a lot more than I expected, which is what you get here. Rutger Hauer and Joan Chen are the primary players on a team of roving 'athletes' who play a brutal game involving two sides, each of which is attempting to win by being the first to spike the skull of a dog on the opposing team's post (don't ask - the origin of this 'sport' is never revealed). The winning team gets room and board, and maybe a cut of the betting. Think of it as a variation of baseball's farm system and minor leagues. Sully, Rutger's character, reached the 'major leagues' before the film begins, but due to poor judgement in choosing his bed partners, was cast all the way down to the bottom, and he's trying to make it back. The teams that get to the top are allowed to commingle with this future society's one percenters who hold all the wealth and power. They also get a vicarious thrill watching their 'sports heroes' bleed playing the game, hence the title.

The film is well paced but sparse, you get to learn just enough to understand what's happening and why. Because of the context in which it is portrayed, it seems to never get dated. Almost no romantic moments, but violence? Oh, yeah. If for no other reason, the film's ending scene where Sully instructs Kidda (Joan Chen's character) what her next actions should be, elevates this above most other films in the genre. Let me put it this way - I gladly re-watch this one every chance I get. My vote - 4 and 1/2 stars.

2017-10-01