Bloodsport (1987)

This is the movie that consolidated Jean-Claude Van Damme's standing in the martial arts film world and was a big UK video hit. Loosely based on a true story, it stars Van Damme as the first western fighter to enter a lethal martial arts tournament in Hong Kong. The always frightening Bolo Yeung is the man standing in his way. The Belgian star unsurprisingly merits even fewer acting plaudits than usual (it was pretty early on in his career), but director Newt Arnold wisely concentrates on the increasingly violent bouts. Look out for Forest Whitaker in an early supporting role.