In the MMA urban drama Blood & Bone, a mysterious drifter named Isaiah Bone finds himself drawn into a mafia-run street fighting ring in the back alleys of Los Angeles. This tale of underground Mixed Martial Arts fighting is directed by Ben Ramsey and stars Michael Jai White. It's coming soon, and to celebrate we've put together our list of the Most Realistic Fight Scenes On Film.
Enter the Dragon - Bruce Lee vs. Bob Wall
Rumors and myths have sprung up by the dozens about the details surrounding Bruce Lee's most famous film, but the martial arts legend actually broke Wall's sternum with the kick that sent him flying into the students' arms. If that doesn't put a capital 'R' in "Realistic," we don't know what does. The fight also launched a classic Bruce Lee line: "Boards don't hit back."
Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior - Club Fight
Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior is the a jaw-dropping rebuttal to martial arts flicks that rely on tricky camerawork and wires to create a powerful audience impression. While traveling to Bangkok to retrieve a stolen sacred stone Buddha head, Ting (Jaa) imposes some unbelievably dazzling, comprehensive beatdowns that look as realistic as any martial arts display you'll find on film. Director Prachya Pinkaew creates a powerful gravity with inventive filming techniques, but the fighters' skills are the runaway stars in Ong-Bak.
Rocky - Rocky Balboa vs. Apollo Creed
The Creed-Balboa fight in the original Rocky was an epic - and believable - battle that underscored racial and sociopolitical tensions at the time. The nine-minute fight scene is an ending that stands among the best moments in any sports movie ever made. The cinematography, sound effects and fully-committed training by Stallone and Weathers made for a legendary piece of work.
Oldboy - Hallway Fight
What would enrage a man enough to claw his way through forty men with only a hammer? Apparently the answer is being kidnapped and spending 15 years locked in a room - with no idea why. This mind-bending revenge flick is a must-see - despite the cartoonish forty-to-one odds, the fighting in this particular scene is surprisingly realistic. Look how many boards and wooden planks the man has broken over his back/arms.
The Bourne Identity - Apartment Fight Scene
The best part about the first Bourne film is the fact that the uninitiated audience didn't know that Jason would survive for a slew of sequels, so their emotional stock in the fight scenes were much higher. That's played up well here, as Bourne and a would-be assassin attack one another in lightning-fast fashion and alternating fighting styles, as the hapless girlfriend looks on in shock. Bonus points for the surprise ending of the fight.
