ONLY THE STRONG (1993)

MORGAN'S RATING

Ex-Green Beret Louis Stevens returns to his old high school in Miami and takes on his roughest assignment yet: whipping a group of the school's worst juveniles into shape. Stevens, a master of the graceful, potentially lethal form of Brazilian martial arts known as capoeria, decides to put the kids through a rigorous training program. The unruly youths improve by leaps and bounds as they gain self-respect and a sense of empowerment through the discipline of the sport. Using their newfound skill, the boys, with the help of Stevens, take on the vicious neighborhood gang that is terrorizing their school -- the leader of which just happens to be an expert in capoeira.

Mark Dacascos (Louis Stevens), Stacey Travis (Dianna), Geoffrey Lewis (Kerrigan), Paco Christian Prieto (Silverio), Todd Susman (Cochran), Jeffrey Anderson-Gunter (Philippe), Richard Coca (Orlando), Roman Cardwell (Shay), Ryan Bollman (Donovan), Christian Klemash (Eddie), John Fionte (Cervantes), Joselito 'Amen' Santo (Javier), John Gregory Kasper (Coach Kasper), Phyllis Sukoff (Mrs. Esposito), Antoni Carone (Green Beret Sgt.), Mellow Man Ace (Student Rapper), Felipe Savahge, Luis Esteban (Brazilians), Jim Vickers (Police Sergeant), Mark Salem (Cop), Joann Dukes (Newscaster), David Luther (School Security Guard), Adeniri S. Ajamu (Chief Aiamo), Alan Jordan (Chop Shop Foreman), Frank Dux (Welder), Tony DeLeoni, Diego Perez (Mechanics), Diane Friand, Henry Friand (Teachers).

STRENGTH. POWER. RHYTHM. THE ULTIMATE MARTIAL ART.

FACTS

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

RELEASE DATE: August 27th, 1993 (USA) BOX OFFICE OPENING: $1.2 million (USA) BOX OFFICE RESULT: $3.2 million (USA)

DIRECTOR: Sheldon Lettich (The Order). WRITERS: Sheldon Lettich and Luis Esteban. PRODUCERS: Samuel Hadida, Steven G. Menkin and Stuart S. Shapiro. ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: Robert D. Simon. EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Victor Hadida.  ORIGINAL MUSIC: Harvey W. Mason. DISTRIBUTOR: 20th Century Fox

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"Only the Strong stumbles through a kind of half-hearted love-interest plotline and all the characters are rarely more than stock "types."" -- Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle

"Only the Strong takes plot elements from one movie and mixes them with those from about fifty others." -- James Berardinelli, Reel Views

QUOTES

Donovan: Uh...Mr. Stevens, are you so sure this is the place? I mean maybe it's just me, but you can't see shit out here. Ya know?

Louis: I've got major news for you. The world can be as big as you want it to be, or as small as your tiny little hood.