The History of Best of the Best: From Martial Arts Drama to B-Movie Mayhem

Описание: Best of the Best didn’t just launch as another martial arts movie; it became one of the most fascinating and unpredictable sagas in action cinema. What began as a deeply personal story of honor, sacrifice, and family soon grew into a four-film journey that spanned continents, genres, and decades of loyal fandom.

It started in 1989, when real-life martial artists Phillip and Simon Rhee turned their own experiences into a heartfelt drama about respect and redemption. Alongside Eric Roberts, Chris Penn, and James Earl Jones, they created a film that stood apart, a martial arts story built on emotion rather than ego. But the success of Best of the Best was just the beginning.

As the series continued, the tone shifted from the disciplined spirit of Taekwondo to brutal underground fights, revenge-fueled sequels, and no-rules showdowns that pushed the story and its creators into new territory. Best of the Best II introduced Brakus and the world of Vegas bloodsports. Best of the Best 3: No Turning Back saw Phillip Rhee take full creative control behind the camera, bringing back the moral center that defined the first film. And by Best of the Best 4: Without Warning, the series had evolved into a fast, gritty action thriller that reflected the changing world of 1990s home video.

Behind every punch and kick were real brothers, real injuries, and a production team determined to keep the franchise alive against all odds. Critics may have dismissed it, but audiences around the world found something real, a story about discipline, loyalty, and the price of pride.

So how did a modest Taekwondo drama evolve into a four-part cult franchise that outlasted its box office failures and found eternal life on VHS and DVD shelves? What drove Phillip Rhee to keep fighting for a story that Hollywood never fully understood? And why does Best of the Best still resonate decades later as one of the most sincere martial arts sagas ever made?

🎬 This is the story of Best of the Best.
Want To Own A Piece Of Martial Arts Movie History:
Best of The Best Blu-Ray On Amazon(Out Of Stock)
Best of The Best DVD Set On Amazon: https://amzn.to/4n1b4KY

Sources:
Phillip Rhee Interview With Scott Adkins
Phillip Rhee Interview With BTM Legends
Simon Rhee Interview With Bruce Willow
Simon Rhee Interview With Viking Samurai
The ActionElite Interview With Rob Radler
Wikipedia
IMDB

All visual content is the © copyright of their respective owners and studios.
All clips and images are used under FAIR USE Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, documentary, and research.

DoubleReelTV:    / @doublereeltv  
DoubleReel:    / @doublereelmedia  
DoubleReelOriginals:    / @doublereeloriginals  
DoubleReelGR:    / @doublereelgr  
Links are affiliated