PENTATHLON (Bruce Malmuth, 1994)

[Craigie-Boy]

I have to say I'm delighted that Pentathlon is getting a Blu-Ray release. I haven't seen the film in years, having only owned it on VHS many years ago, and had all but given up hope of seeing it ever getting a disc release. But now with this and In The Name Of The King due in July, now is definitely a good time to be a Dolph fan! He's already the most prominent actor in my BR collection so far, and it looks like he'll be remaining so for a long time to come!

I've pre-ordered Pentathlon and am really looking forward to watching this great movie once again!

[Jox]

UK DVD/Blu-ray covers from Anchor Bay

[savagesketch]

...would have been nice if they would have put something together that was a little different from the VHS box art from over 15 years ago, rather than the same promo pic of Dolph from the original Universal Soldier...

[Mosquito]

I like it. It's different from the very similar looking covers for the last few movies and it still looks cool today. Promises more than the movie can deliver, I'm afraid.

[Jox]

Their reasoning behind the release of this particular movie now and precisely late July is because it's right in the middle of the London olympics (perhaps the only time you hear about pentathlon)!

[ShawnWatson]

I see they've tried to imply 'Olympics' with the 3 circles instead of the trademarked TRUE Olympic circles.

Horrible cover. I could have done much better.

[Mosquito]

Maybe it's sponsored by Audi.

[leigh1975]

The Anchor Bay version will be in widescreen... is this the only version to be?

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/BVV111965/

[Jox]

Yes, and it's a welcomed edition because the only "official" DVD existing were the Scandinavian (English 4/3 fullscreen, out of print) and German (German dubbed 4/3) even though this is one of Dolph's worsts (certainly of that 1985-1995 golden age period) it's priceless to see it finally come out in a proper widescreen edition (and on HD Blu-ray)!

[leigh1975]

I thought that, much like Joshua Tree, this was in some sort of rights limbo for years.

[Jox]

Win BDs:
http://web.orange.co.uk/article/film/ex ... ays-125677

And the worst Olympic film ever is...
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-spo ... ms-1162577

1) Pentathlon (1994)
Since the modern pentathlon requires contestants to show expertise in fencing and equestrianism before embarking upon a gruelling cross-country run, who in the world is more likely to be a leading exponent than musclebound martial artist Dolph Lundgren?

Pentathlon: Dolph Lundgren's strong American accent wins it for the US of A

In this 1994 shocker, the former Ivan Drago wins gold for East Germany in the 1988 Seoul games but becomes an alkie when he discovers his sinister, illegal serum-touting trainer David Soul - who else - has become a neo-Nazi assassin. Dolph recovers in time to kill the Nazis, win gold at Atlanta '96 and - spoiler alert - shoot Soul dead at the finish line.

Telling fact: The movie's Nike-inspired tagline was 'Just Do It... Or Die!'

Stupid character name: With nods to present and future British comedians, Dolph's sidekick is named John Creese and his love interest is named Julia Davis.

Classic quote: "History is made of chaos and murder!"

What have we learned?
* A lot of really bad Olympics films were made between 1978-1980

* A lot of really bad Olympics films involve illegal serums

* A lot of really bad Olympic films feature Nazis or neo-Nazis

* A lot of really bad Olympic films end with their heroes winning gold medals

* Don't tease Tatum O'Neal

I love how they critic his strong American accent whereas critics always wrongly accused him of having a strong Swedish accent. And yet this is the film where he sports a fairly good German accent I think.

[dolphage]

I love how they critic his strong American accent whereas critics always wrongly accused him of having a strong Swedish accent. And yet this is the film where he sports a fairly good German accent I think.

And in Sweden he is accused of having forgotten how to speak Swedish...

(Well, not so much anymore, since he did that Swedish radio talk show and the Melodifestivalen)

[Dida]

http://cinehouseuk.blogspot.nl/2012/07/ ... eview.html

[Jox]

This review feels like it was written by the distributor or publicist.

[Dida]

Another review:

http://www.strangethingsarehappening.co ... thlon.html