The Blood of Heroes (1989)

"Play hard, you'll forget the fear." - Sallow

aka: Salute of the Jugger
Survivors play a deadly game in the ruins of their world.
Starring: Rutger Hauer, Joan Chen, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Hugh Keays-Byrne

Link to IMDB

In this Mad Max-style post-apocalyptic future, most humans live scattered across the desolate badlands in small villages where they farm and hunt to survive. The people have developed a crude and ferocious sport for entertainment, it's like football except that the small teams of players (known as juggers) are allowed to use weapons to fight each other during the game!

One such team is led by a gruff man named Sallow, and we meet them as they're traveling from village to village, competing against other juggers to win food, water and perhaps some respect.
Sallow's team is one of the best, and that's due in part to him being an ex member of the pro jugger league that competes in one of the remaining cities. (He's also got a young Vincent D'Onofrio on his team, so that's pretty cool.)
But since Sallow was exiled from the City, he's forced to wander the outskirts of society and make a living with his skills as a fighter.

Kidda

Kidda is a young woman that lives on a dirt farm, but when the juggers pass by competing for glory she decides to join their lifestyle and see what's beyond the horizon. Sallow is reluctant to let her join at first, but when she proves that she has a natural talent and isn't afraid of pain he agrees to give her a shot.
With a little bit of training, Kidda quickly proves that she's an important part of the team and gains victory alongside her fellow juggers.
As we learn more about Sallow we know he wants redemption for being exiled from the City, and this is what fuels his decision to take his team there and challenge the pro league. If they win they'll be given the luxury and safety of life in the City, but very few challengers have ever survived against the professional killers in the league.

Ma: "Kidda, they hurt you."

Kidda: "I don't care. I hurt them too."

Lord Vile

Stacking the odds against them is Lord Vile, the man in charge of the City league and also responsible for Sallow's exile. When Vile sees that an ex-league player has returned from the wasteland, he plans to do everything he can to make sure that Sallow and his team will never leave the arena alive!

This movie really surprised me, because there's more here than what you might think. Yes, the plot is simple and we spend a lot of time watching athletes battle, but the movie takes itself seriously and creates a believable world.
There's thoughtful depth to the main characters, as we learn about their hopes, fears and what drives them to seek so much violence.

Anytime is a good time for Jugger fighting

There's a lot of fighting, but it's not over-the-top and it actually serves the purpose of the story. The sport is kept realistic and gritty, with just as much sweat and tears as there is blood. Instead of chest-pounding heroics, the movie shows the struggle of every win they earn.
With an excellent cast and smart script, the quieter moments are what really build the story as we see how the characters find courage and hope in a brutal wasteland.
This was written and directed by David Peoples. I wish he worked more because he's very talented.

Be sure not to miss:
- Instead of a football, they use animal skulls. That's badass.
- Did that ear chomp inspire Mike Tyson?
- Delroy Lindo doesn't get much to do, but it's always cool to see him.
- Rats enough!

Internet review:
"The best directed low budget sci-fi action film ever." - Obistrike

Should I watch it?
Yeah, it's better than expected.

Where can I find it?
Here on YouTube. (quality kinda sucks)

Blood of Heroes gets...