''Bloodsport III'' is a 1997

action film Action film is a film genre in which the protagonist is thrust into a series of events that typically involve violence and physical feats. The genre tends to feature a mostly resourceful hero struggling against incredible odds, which include l ...

produced and directed by Alan Mehrez. It is the third film in the ''Bloodsport'' franchise. It was released

direct-to-video Direct-to-video or straight-to-video refers to the release of a film, TV series, short or special to the public immediately on home video formats rather than an initial theatrical release or television premiere. This distribution strategy wa ...

in 1997 and starred Daniel Bernhardt for the second time as Alex Cardo.

Plot

''Bloodsport III'' reintroduces the character Alex Cardo ( Daniel Bernhardt) from ''Bloodsport II'' and is largely told in flashback format. Alex wakes up late one night after having dreams of the

Kumite Kumite ( ja, 組手, literally "grappling hands") is one of the three main sections of karate training, along with kata and kihon. Kumite is the part of karate in which a person trains against an adversary. Kumite can be used to develop a par ...

years prior. He goes into his 10-year-old son Jason's bedroom to find his son still awake, reading. After questioning him, Jason reveals that he has been suspended for fighting in school. He insists he fought off 3 bullies in self-defense and, to his surprise, Alex is understanding of the situation. Alex suggests that he and Jason go camping together to bond. Alex begins to tell Jason about his former life as a criminal, a prisoner, his tutelage under Master Sun ( James Hong), and, finally, as the champion of the last Kumite. Alex explains to his son that years after his tournament win, he traveled to India and gambled in a casino, when masked men arrived and stole money and a package from the casino, but not before Alex beat up several of the men. After the robbery, the casino owner convinces Alex to retrieve the package (a bag of diamonds) from the robbers, since they belong to a mob boss named Duvalier (

John Rhys-Davies John Rhys-Davies (born 5 May 1944) is a Welsh actor best known for portraying Sallah in the ''Indiana Jones'' franchise and Gimli in ''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy. His other roles include Michael Malone in the 1993 series ''The Untouch ...

). Alex does so, and Duvalier invites him to a dinner party he's hosting as thanks. At the party, Duvalier shows Alex his top fighter, the Beast, and tries to convince Alex to fight in his upcoming Kumite. Alex refuses, since he does not fight for profit, much to Duvalier's ire. To provoke him into fighting, Duvalier has Sun, Alex's mentor, teacher, and spiritual "father", killed. Alex turns to Leung (

Pat Morita Noriyuki "Pat" Morita (June 28, 1932 – November 24, 2005) was an American actor and comedian. He was known for his roles as Matsuo "Arnold" Takahashi on '' Happy Days'', Mr. Miyagi in ''The Karate Kid'' film series, Captain Sam Pak on the sitc ...

) to whom he was indebted in '' Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite''. Leung directs him to the great

shaman Shamanism is a religious practice that involves a practitioner (shaman) interacting with what they believe to be a spirit world through altered states of consciousness, such as trance. The goal of this is usually to direct spirits or spir ...

, Makato "the Judge" (

Hee Il Cho __NOTOC__ Cho Hee-il (born October 13, 1940) is a prominent Korean-American master of taekwondo, holding the rank of 9th ''dan'' in the martial art.

), to whom Alex must turn for guidance. (The Judge is Sun's brother who developed his own variation of Sun's Iron Hand technique). The judge teaches him to fully channel the energy in his mind and body in order to rout the Beast in the Kumite. By this point however, Duvalier has invested everything in the Beast and no longer wants Alex in his Kumite for fear he will upset the odds. When he is unable to block Alex's entry, he has his men stationed at the entrances to the tournament arena. Alex gets round this by posing as one of the entourage of another fighter. Both Alex and the Beast make their way through the Kumite, and face each other in the finals. Alex is initially outmatched by the Beast's great physical strength and endurance, and takes a severe beating as a result. Eventually, he remembers his training, and is able to knock out the Beast. He refrains from killing Duvalier, knowing that it won't bring Sun back. In the present, Alex and his son finish their camping trip and drive away.

Cast

* Daniel Bernhardt – Alex Cardo *

– Duvalier * J. J. Perry – J. J. Tucker * Chad Stahelski - Max Omega * James Hong – Master Sun *

– David Leung * Amber van Lent – Crystal * Uni Park – Shari * Rajiv Chandrasekhar – Franco * David Schatz – Jason * Steven Ito – Yoong *

Erik Paulson Erik Paulson (born June 28, 1966) is an American mixed martial artist. He is the first American to win the World Light-Heavy Weight Shooto Title in Japan. Biography Erik started his career in martial arts starting with Judo at age of 8. However ...

- Stellio *

Hee Il Cho __NOTOC__ Cho Hee-il (born October 13, 1940) is a prominent Korean-American master of taekwondo, holding the rank of 9th ''dan'' in the martial art.

– Judge Macado * Gerald Okamura – Voice Of Judge * Nicholas R. Oleson – The Beast * Cricket Keating – Croupier * Saku Richardson – Croupier * Wasantha Kumaravila - Sarath

Titles around the world

Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...

: ''O Grande Dragāo Branco 3'' (The Great White Dragon 3) *

Denmark ) , song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast") , song_type = National and royal anthem , image_map = EU-Denmark.svg , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of Denmark , establish ...

: ''Bloodsport III: Kamp Til Døden'' (Bloodsport III: Fight Till Death) *

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...

: ''Bloodsport III: L'Ultime Kumite'' (Bloodsport III: The Ultimate Kumite) *

Norway Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and the ...

: ''Bloodsport III: Kumite'' *

Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic ( pt, República Portuguesa, links=yes ), is a country whose mainland is located on the Iberian Peninsula of Southwestern Europe, and whose territory also includes the Atlantic archipelagos of ...

: ''Bloodsport III: O Combate Final'' (Bloodsport III: The Final Fight) *

Russia Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world, with its internationally recognised territory covering , and encompassing one-eig ...

: ''Кровавый спорт 3'' *

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

: ''Contacto Sangriento 3'' (Bloody Contact 3)

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Bloodsport Iii 1997 films 1997 action films 1997 martial arts films Bloodsport (film series) American action films American martial arts films 1990s English-language films Karate films Martial arts tournament films Underground fighting films Films shot in Sri Lanka Direct-to-video sequel films 1990s American films