cwc-8 After reading some of the other reviews posted on this website I was not so sure what to expect of this movie, but I was blown away. I don't know if I'm looking at a different version of the film, but the ending I saw on the Fox Canadian DVD I purchased, had a very effective shoot-out at the end, not only does the lead character get shot during the gun- fight, but he is riddled with gunfire at the end, just blasted to pieces, I totally wasn't expecting it. The guy sacrificed himself to let the revolutionary couple get away . For a presumably low budget action movie this is some lofty idealism, I guess this could be why some of the user reviews are mixed. The moral might be, that it is wiser to be less high minded with your story if you are going to title it "Pit Fighter." Back to the my review, the film certainly delivers on the action front, the fighting seems authentic enough, violent, bloody. I really liked the shoot out by the trucks, all in all the acting is solid. The lead is believable, kinda scary, and Steven Bauer, well, this guy really delivers in this movie. where has he been? The guy is awesome, just riveting, I was moved by what was obviously a very personal performance. I almost feel like apologizing to the Dutch reviewer, who can't spell very well, but this film was very entertaining, the Dutch version must have been very different to mine, because i just don't see how he formed his opinion. I am recommending this film and not just to fight fans, of which I'm not, but to film fans, this is a film with a lot more going for it than the violent fight scenes. One of the other reviewer's mentions "Bring me the Head of Alfredo Garcia" , high praise indeed-- this film is similar in tone to that one, and that film has it's critics. Less informed perhaps, less worldly wise, but more important than the pulpy title prepares you for.

trjpm Yeah, I found Pit Fighter to be awesome. I'm not sure if it would appeal to anyone that doesn't like the fighting genre. But for those who like it, congrats, you got yourself a good movie. I wouldn't say there's nothing wrong with this movie though. There are a few holes in the plot, like the ending (It didn't make a crazy lot of sense, but hey, I like blood). That, and I thought that the parts with the Virgin Mary were really, REALLY cheesy. Like, in a bad way. It was a bad special effect PLUS it was just kind of dumb. It showed that he was a religious man, but the parts were kind of pointless and dumb. Other than those two flaws, I think this is a great movie and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to see a less psychological Fight Club.

penanceangel The movie's first scene will give you more of an idea of what I'm talking about. The film opens up to images of a South American underground fight club. The crowd is warmed up to the violence by chained dogs snarling and lashing out, held just out of range by their collars. A feeling of routine is pervasive in something we might find abhorrent. Money exchanges hands. The kind of music you'd expect from a Rodriguez film begins, but the tone instead is slightly mournful. All the while, fleeting scenes of the fighters parading towards the ring, heads covered and bowed, become the primary focus. It's fight night, and the crowd wants blood. The battle is part Ultimate Fighting Championship, part Bloodsport riff, but it's well put together, and well shot. Brutal, violent, and quick. A pile of money goes to victor's trainer, and they walk out as they came in. All in a night's work for a pit fighter.The director didn't have to do that, he could have made a decent fight flick and left it at that. But the quality filming and the unusual little editions is what will keep me watching the people behind this film. I'll be looking up their earlier work as well. I'm afraid the film isn't great, though, just better than average, a garnet in the rough, so to speak. Look it up when you're in the mood for a little hard hitting action but aren't into the Hong Kong style.

id247 I worked with Jesse Johnson in the UK in 1988 on his first short film Old Priest, an homage to spaghetti westerns. It was clear then he showed talent, and 17 years later I was delighted to see his latest work The Pitfighter on French TV earlier today.On the plus side we see Jesse working with a limited budget to produce a competent, professional effort, with much style and thought. Steven Bauer is excellent and gives this tale of a man seeking redemption some weight. Jesse's script could have done with a further re-write, but shows moments of humanity in amongst all the brutality. On the negative side though there is too much unnecessary violence, which negates the film's many thoughtful and tender moments. While I expected some tough moments during the fight sequences, it was the violence outside of the ring that surprised me. The scene in a car park of man getting his mouth smashed in with an icepick for me was way over-the-top, as were some of the shootouts.I'd like to see Jesse Johnson given a decent budget, and perhaps someone else's material, at this point in his career his directorial skills far outweigh his scriptwriting ability. He has the ability to make a full-blown Robert Rodriguez/Sam Peckinpah style film, but only if he acknowledges his own failings and works in collaboration with others who can compliment his abilities.You may be interested to know that when I watched this on French channel TPS, it was about 5pm on a Sunday afternoon, and before the film they showed a caption saying that this film is not recommended for children under the age of TEN! They must have tough kids in France, in the UK this film would have an 18 rating for sure.I've given this film 7/10. Recommended for those action fans who like to see what is possible on a small budget, and those of you who like your fight sequences realistic and brutal.