Movies - Only The Strong

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	Movies - Only The Strong

Only The Strong is a 1993 action film, directed by Sheldon Lettich. It is considered to be the only Hollywood film that showcases Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art, from beginning to end.

Plot

Former Green Beret Louis Stevens (Mark Dacascos) returns to his hometown of Miami after completing military service in Brazil, only to learn that his old high school has become a haven for gangs and drug dealers. After Stevens uses his capoeira skills to kick several drug dealers off of the school property, Kerrigan (Geoffrey Lewis), one of Stevens' old teachers, sees the impact that Stevens has on the students. Kerrigan gives him the task of teaching Capoeira to a handful of the worst at-risk students at the school.

While doing so, Stevens earns the ire of the local drug lord, Silverio (Paco Christian Prieto), whose younger cousin is one of Stevens' students.

Reaction

Generally speaking, critical reaction has been fairly lukewarm, with most reviewers giving negative responses. American box office gross stands at $3.27 million, although the film has developed a bit of a cult following, mostly among Capoeiristas, practitioners of Capoeira and martial art instructors and martial artists. Even though many deride the film's storyline, dialogue, and acting, for many non-Brazilian Capoeiristas, it was their first introduction to the martial art.

Trivia

Though Mark Dacascos is a talented martial artist, his background is not initially in Capoeira. Just prior to his audition, he received his training from famed Capoeirista Mestre Amen Santo, who was also responsible for much of the fight choreography.
Controversial martial artist Frank Dux was also responsible for some of the fight choreography.

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