Lionheart (Wrong Bet) (A.W.O.L.: Absent Without Leave) (1990)

33% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
53% of users liked it
(14,648 ratings)

After his brother is badly beaten by a street gang, Jean-Claude Van Damme deserts the foreign legion in order to avenge his honor in this action film also known as A.W.O.L. and Wrong Bet. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Sheldon Lettich
Genres: Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Jan 11, 1991 Wide
On DVD: Sep 8, 1998
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

Janet Maslin, New York Times
Using tactics like these, Woody Allen could become an action hero, too.
Richard Harrington, Washington Post
As Lionheart heads for his final confrontation, the film's soundtrack blasts out a "Rocky"-like song called 'No Mercy.' Unless you're a Van Damme or martial arts fanatic, you're more likely to be thinking: No, merci.
Andrew L. Urban, Urban Cinefile
Accompanied by an occasionally jazzy score, the film has a solid dramatic base on which to build the Jean-Claude Van Damme action.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
One of Van Damme's best flicks....good story, good skirmishes
Chris Hicks, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
The fight scenes, which are all Van Damme fans care about anyway, are pumped up by swift edits, which repeat snippets over and over so that it's the MTV equivalent of boxing, and punched-up volume control that adds bangs, pows and zonks wherever possible.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Phil H

Great Van Damme flick and one of his best, watching him battle through various fighters of different skills untill he meets the big boss. Its very very basic, just like all Van Damme films and much like a computer game it has no proper plot, bad acting and the same predictable… More
Great Van Damme flick and one of his best, watching him battle through various fighters of different skills untill he meets the big boss. Its very very basic, just like all Van Damme films and much like a computer game it has no proper plot, bad acting and the same predictable outcomes but somehow its good. All the fights are very well filmed and choreographed, the fighters do look like real people and it looks slick n fast with the final fight being a real adrenaline rush, awesome. Question is whats it called? Lionheart? A.W.O.L? or Wrong Bet?
Lenny M

One of my favorites of Van Damme, nothing special besides the fighting, which is why people watch it.
Tim S

Harrison Page is probably a pretty good actor.
danny d

good flick
Dean M

The street fights are great and I was happy Van Damme returns to reunite his family and a friend altogether again at the end.
Joseph E

Jean-claude is best!
Lee K

One of the last films i saw, before i gave up on the muscles from brussels. Ok effort with loads of cool fighting sequences. Best watched on a rainy day and on a channel lets say like action or something you didnt have to pay for.

Read all 7 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Jean-Claude Van Damme as Lyon Gaultier

            Harrison Page as Joshua

            Deborah Rennard as Cynthia

            Lisa Pelikan as Helene

            Ashley Johnson as Nicole

            Brian Thompson as Russell

            Jason Adams as Francois

            William Terry Amos as Drug Dealer

            Billy Blanks as African Legionnaire

            Roz Bosley as Nurse

            Christopher M. Brown as Street Gang Leader

            Lonnie Burr as Bookie #2

            Lindsey Carlos as 1st Street Gang Member

            Mark de Alessandro as 2nd New York Homeless Fighter

            Douglas DuVal as New York Security Guard

            Roger Etienne as Interpol Inspector

            Michael M. Foley as 1st Video Fighter

            Loren Freeman as Sales Person

            Leonard Gaines as 1st Bookie

            Carlton Holder as 5th Street Gang Member

            Lew Hopson as Ship's Mate

            Freeman King as Homeless  Man

            Maurice Lamont as 2nd Street Gang Member

            Jeff Langton as Cynthia's Fighter

            Micheline Lettich as Homeless Child

            Sebastian Massa as Ship's Engineer

            George McDaniel as Adjutant

            Stefanos Miltsakakis as Jeep Driver

            A.D. Muyich as 2nd Video Fighter

            Christopher Nixon as German Investor

            Donald Pike as 1st BMW Passenger

            Paco Christian Prieto as Pool Fighter

            Steven R. Purwin as Airplane Pilot

            Abdel Qissi as Attila

            Eduardo Ricard as Spanish Investor

            Dennis Rucker as Irish Legionnaire

            Julie Rudolph as Homeless Mother

            Magic Schwartz as Raquetball Fighter

            Tracy Shakespeare as Heckler's Date

            Jeff Speakman as Mansion Security Man

            Dean Milor Thomas as 2nd BMW Passenger

            James Brewster Thompson as New York Monster Fighter

            Tony Valentino as Hospital Technician

            Clement von Franckenstein as English Investor

            Denis Akiyama Voyo as Sgt. Hartog

            Marc D. Williams as 1st New York Homeless Fighter

            Sifu Williams as 3rd Street Gang Member

            Tony "Satch" Williams as Garage Fighter

            Stuart Wilson as Scottish Fighter

            Thunder Wolf as 4th Street Gang Member

            Galen Yuen as Desk Bookie

            Lawrence Bender as Garage Fight Heckler

            Eric Karson as Doctor

            Roger La Page as Landlord

            Michel Qissi as Moustafa

            Scott Spiegel as Pool Fight Bookie
See full cast