The film follows five disparate American martial artists handpicked to represent the United States in a grueling international tournament against the elite South Korean national team.
Released on , Best of the Best stands as a definitive cult classic of the 1980s martial arts genre . While it follows the familiar beats of a sports underdog story, its blend of high-octane Taekwondo, star-studded performances, and surprisingly deep emotional themes has earned it a permanent place in fans' hearts. The Plot: Honor Over Victory
A former fighter and single father returning from injury. Best of the Best (1989)
Unlike many sports films, Best of the Best is remembered for its powerful final message: "To save a life in defeat is to earn victory and honor within". The scene where the Korean team shares their medals with the Americans remains one of the genre’s most tear-jerking moments. Quick Facts Director Robert Radler Starring Eric Roberts, Phillip Rhee, James Earl Jones, Chris Penn Runtime 1 hour 37 minutes Sequels Spawned three sequels, all featuring Phillip Rhee Soundtrack Features tracks like Golden Earring's "Radar Love" Best of the Best (1989) - IMDb
The story is based on Phillip Rhee's real experiences and focuses heavily on the concepts of forgiveness, honor, and "the power of the human spirit triumphing over adversity". The film follows five disparate American martial artists
Produced by and starring real-life Taekwondo master Phillip Rhee , the film is praised for its realistic, grounded fight choreography that avoids the "unrealistic bs" common in Hollywood action at the time.
Check out the high-stakes action in the official trailer: Best of the Best (1989) - Movie Trailer - Far East Films Far East Films YouTube• Oct 1, 2022 The Plot: Honor Over Victory A former fighter
Rounded out by the brash Travis Brickley (Chris Penn) , the meditative Virgil Keller (John Dye) , and the technical Sonny Grasso (David Agresta) .