In Hell Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Rage unleashed.
Kyle LeBlanc is an American working overseas in Russia. When he hears his wife being attacked over the phone, Kyle rushes home to find that he's too late. The man who killed his wife is found not guilty on lack of evidence. So Kyle takes the law into his own hands, and kills the man to avenge his wife's death. He is sentenced to life in prison without parole. The Russian prison he is sent to is tough, and the warden amuses himself by putting on fights where he fills his pockets with money by betting on the fights. Kyle begins to break and go crazy, so he is forced into these fights because the warden knows he is a sure thing. Kyle's cellmate 451 begins to make him think what he fighting for. With that, Kyle knows now he must fight another battle: the fight for inner peace. It is the only way he can become the man he once was.
| Jean-Claude Van Damme | Kyle LeBlanc |
| Lawrence Taylor | |
| Lloyd Battista | General Hruschov |
| Carlos Gómez | Tolik |
| Manol Manolov | Ivan |
| Chris Moir | Billy Cooper |
| Billy Rieck | Coolhand |
| Kaloian Vodenicharov | Dima |
| Malakai Davidson | Malakai |
| Veselin Kalanovski | Sasha |
| Ivo Tonchev | Marko |
| Juan Fernández | Shubka |
| Raicho Vasilev | Andrei |
| Milos Milicevic | Boo |
| Michael Bailey Smith | Valya |
| Ringo Lam |
5.90 out of 10 (4834 votes)
Visitor Reviews
A good B movie
posted on 28 Aug 2009Jean Claude is back for the better . After have made some low z movies , he is back with this good movie . we see him more "human" than usual and we are in his side at once than the movie starts and it is VERY IMPORTANT , I saw some other movies lately than I didn't care much for what was going on , but in this movie you want to know what will happen to him.After have cross the desert , it sounds like He has take some experience of life and , and we can see it try to act more better , I give a 7 , the movie deserve it .I like this movie and I wish he will make others from this same brand , I recommend also REPLICANT , a satisfying SF thriller movie with Jean Claude from the same movie company.
Neither his best nor his worst
posted on 16 Aug 2009Van Damme has at least been lucky after ending up in the direct-to-video market to end up with a company (Millenium) that puts something resembling serious money into his movies, though the results still haven't been exactly great. REPLICANT was okay, though he hit a new low with DERAILED. Now it's IN HELL. One thing I will say right away is that this effort has the best production values to date. It's a dirty, filthy, crumbling environment, this Russian prison... which is probably closer to the truth than we may want to think. However, the CGI is pretty mixed - acceptable for the moth, but those jet fighters on the other hand...As a piece of entertainment, the rest of the movie is mixed as well. The fight scenes are pretty brutal and fairly well-staged, though some viewers will no doubt be disappointed that the movie seems to be somewhat lacking in action (fights or anything else.) It's more of a drama instead of an action movie. While the movie still had a chance of working in this direction, it seems to have suffered in the editing room, with important plot details seemingly removed while scenes that serve essentially no purpose have been left in. Often the movie seems to be purposely going slow in order to get a long enough running time. There are also some really hokey bits, such as the claptrap Van Damme's cellmate keeps spouting off.And as for Van Damme himself... well, he pretty much plays it the same way he usually does whenever he has dialogue. But he doesn't have that much dialogue here; it's more of a physical role, and in that aspect I will admit he isn't that bad. Still, remembering his performance from REPLICANT (which showed he could give a decent performance if really pushed), it's disappointing to see he didn't try as hard here.
Best Van Damme movie, although not saying much!
posted on 03 Jul 2009Kyle LeBlanc(Van Damme) is sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a man who he knew to be the killer of his wife. To make things worst, he was an American working in Russia and in this particular Russian prison, the prisoners fight for the wardens amusement.The movie is definitely the best Van Damme movie I have ever seen, which as I have said in the summary, is not saying much. He usually stars in incredibly bad movies, but this one is different. Its a much better role of him, although I was unconvinced that he was just some sort of American civilian. The movie actually would have had a great idea for the movie, if the idea hadn't been taken by a movie called The Shawshank Redemption ten years prior. But the movie was surprisingly entertaining. I was quite entertained by the mindless fighting scenes. Overall, I really wan't to recommend this movie due to the great fight scenes although I can't because of the massive amount of flaws and bad acting. Sorry Mr. Van Damme, you tried.I do not recommend this movie.
Van Damme hits form again!
posted on 03 Jun 2009Van Damme's latest effort on paper reads much like many other films he has done, in which he finds himself in a situation when he must participate in illegally set up fights. This film being set in prison is also particularly similar to Death Warrant. These are really where the similarities end because this is more dramatic and less flashy than those. There are no sweeping Van Damme kicks played in glorious slow motion, he doesn't seem invincible and is not able to summon great amounts of strength to down 7ft behemoths in one punch, in this film he is an ordinary guy. If he fights someone who looks like they could take him, then he will have a tough time, and get beat up.This film allows JC to play a character with some depth and some emotion, a character who we sympathise with in the way his wife's death effects him. He kills his wife's murderer when he is let free and so goes to jail and we see the way in which his character goes on a downward spiral without his wife. While this film attempts to have a sympathetic character it has such a hackneyed script, full of clichés that it ends having ultimately wasted one of Van Damme's best performances and some classy direction from Ringo Lam. He is a grade above other b-movie directors and this film looks great, he worked with a good cinematographer and editor to make this look well beyond its 15 million or so budget.There isn't a single surprise in the film and many of the supporting cast are bad but the better actors all produce some good moments. You feel for certain characters, it is a shame that the majority of the crew and cast aren't matches for the more talented members, however it does allow JC to stand out. The fights are not about being flash they are rough and ready and pack a punch, and are superbly edited. It makes a change for Van Damme but far more watchable than other films like Nowhere to Run which showed no flashy martial arts. The fighting in this is more like proper wrestling.As with many low budget movies there are problems with the special effects, such as dodgy CGI airplanes and a poor synth score. In the end though the film was an enjoyable watch while not great it featured quality in the direction and with a decent performance by Van Dammes standards, were not talking Academy awards by any means but possibly a Video Premiere award nomination. ***
Once again Ringo Lam makes a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
posted on 24 May 2009In Hell (2003) is a fine example of what Ringo Lam is capable of. With the material given under any other director , this movie would have been bad or unwatchable. But under the steady hand of a veteran film maker such as Ringo Lam it succeeds. This is what makes Mr. Lam a far superior director compared to John Woo. He doesn't need a gigantic budget or highly paid actors. What is a big surprise is that he's the only director (so far) who can get a motivated performance from Jean-Claude Van Damme. Kudos also for Lawrence Taylor, he can actually act!The story takes place in some eastern European country. Jean-Claude Van Damme stars as a foreign contractor who's wife is attacked and brutally murdered one night. After a shady trial, J.C.V.D. snaps and goes after the guy who killed his wife. But due to the court system he's sent to a hell hole of a s.h.u. A sadistic warden likes to put on human cockfights. Demoralized and beaten, will J.C.V.D. give in to his animalistic urges or will he find a way to remain sane and survive another day?Brutal and bloody. That's the only description for this film. No flashy fight scenes with the highly over used (and abused) Matrix-like fight scenes or phony situations. This is Ringo Lam doing what he does best. A protagonist trying to survive a dark world with a glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel.Highly recommended. Believe it or not, Replicant was not a fluke: Jean-Claude Van Damme can act.
For The Muscles from Brussels----Its a great going...
posted on 26 Apr 2009The Muscles from Brussels has finally proved that he can act well.If one would see his movie Double Team(but why?)..its a mood spoiler.But unlike his other films, he has given his 100% to acting.This movie revolves around the trauma which any ordinary person can face but only strong willed person like Kyle(Jean Claude Van Damme) could overcome and fight for justice.It also contains some hardcore action scenes especially the jail ring fight is unforgettable.The expressions of happiness,anger,fear,sadness was all given out perfectly by Wham Bam Van Damme.This movie is different from others where you can feel the emotional Van Damme missing.The movie could not have been ended in any other way than this one.Keep it up Van Damme............I would personally rate 9 on 10 for this movie
BACK WITH A VENGEANCE.....
posted on 19 Mar 2009Van Damme's new film "In Hell" is a powerful, brutal and brilliant prison drama. Director Ringo Lam shows no mercy in creating a realistic prison environment, where there is no escape from the misery and sadism. The violence is painfully real and it matches the dark atmosphere of the film's setting. Van Damme has given us his best film ever. I have been worried for Van Damme ever since he made Universal Soldier-The Return. He seems to have been shunned by Hollywood and considered to be "Box-Office" poison. After Universal soldier-The return who can blame America for turning its back on him. Now, Van Damme is making these European direct to video films, all released by Millennium pictures. With "In Hell" Van Damme is forgiven for making "Derailed". In Hell is his best film and my favourite all time film. It's a story of victimisation behind bars. A story of a man becoming something that he despises. A story of madness and redemption. I congratulate Van Damme and Ringo Lam. They make a great team.
At last Van Damme delivers
posted on 20 Jan 2009At last he delivers, after such Bottom of the barrel movies, like Derailed, which must be one of the worst movies to date. In this one Van Damme makes one of is best roles, almost the best prison movie role since Brad Davis in Midnight express (1978) It´s so much fun, to see some new environments, a russian prison which looks so authentic, everyone plays well, standard ingredients is used very well, Strong brutal violence, sodomizing, no glory.For the first time ever, Van Damme is beaten up during the whole movie, he tries to committ suicide he sleeps in shit. It´s so unusual to see these kind of scenes with Van Damme.Ringo Lam´s direction is superb,this one and Maximum risk is the best one´s, both directed by Ringo Lam.See it and really enjoy.I gave it an 8 out of 10
Strange Surprise
posted on 19 Dec 2008This movie struck me as strange. I am used to a Van Damme as in Kickboxer, Bloodsport and Universal Soldier. And now this. One hardly recognises Van Damme. Seems like he actually is becoming an actor. Though the story is anything but original, it is quite well executed. The acting is above average for a direct-to-video-production. Action scenes are good, quite brutal and graphic - but that's about what I expected - why else would one want to watch a Van Damme movie? Certainly not because of the story. In Van Damme movies the "storyline" so far always was a lame excuse for one good old fashioned action scene after the other.And that is the strange thing: With this expectation you wont exactly be disappointed, but strangely surprised. This movie has more to offer, especially Van Damme. I'm going as far as to claim that this movie would get better critics and a better reception if it wasn't Van Damme playing the lead. You just aren't used to see Van Damme this way.That isn't a bad thing, it's just so unfamiliar, unusual. But - Let's get used to it. If this is the direction van Damme is taking, I'm happy with it.
one of the best
posted on 25 Aug 2008This is not only one of the best van Damme movies I've seen, it's one of the best movies I've seen in a while. I think the summary said something about guys in a prison fighting for the wardens enjoyment. Well, yeah, but the story goes much deeper than that. His character goes through some amazing developments, and van Damme looks like he's been taking a few acting lessons. And the plot is interesting and semi-believable. It's set in a foreign country, where he gets sent to prison (for a good reason, if there ever was a good reason to be sent to prison) where life is, well, hell. But his experiences leading up to and inside the prison break him down, and build him up into something else. It's really amazing to watch his character transform. If you like van Damme, and you're ready for some drama, a real story, and of course van Damme beating on people, you shouldn't miss this movie. I'd say the plot gets an 'A-' the acting gets a 'B', and the action gets a 'B-'.
My goodness, is that Van Damme acting?
posted on 09 Aug 2008Firstly, can I just say that this has to be one of the most unoriginal movies I have ever seen. It steals from just about every prison movie ever made, especially "Midnight Express", "Lock Up", "The Green Mile" etc, and with a bit of "Shawshank Redemption" thrown in for good measure. So, if this is the case then why have I given the movie 8 out of 10? Because it's the best Van Damme movie I've ever seen.Jean-Claude's films are made to appeal to fans of the kind of action film that disappeared from cinemas about 10 years ago: the unthinking, violent, easy-on-the-brain popcorn fodder that he, Arnie and Sly used to churn out by the bucket load. These days, Van Dame is much like Seagal in that all their films go direct-to-video (or DVD, as it now is). However, where as Seagal's post-fame efforts are united by their awfulness, Van Damme has, with "In Hell", made a real effort to do something a bit different.So, he has no real martial arts skills, and no cheesy one-liners. Instead, he actually acts, and it's quite something to behold. Okay, he's never going to win any awards, but it's nice to see he's making the effort. Director Ringo Lam shoots the movie brilliantly, making it look a trillion pounds when in fact it probably cost about 50p to make. The supporting cast are quite good as well, with no terrible performances rearing up to ruin the film. I must admit, too, that I was quite moved by certain sections, and you could really feel for the prisoners trapped 'in hell' (what a title!).So, in conclusion, give this movie a watch, and enjoy it- just ignore that you probably know where the plot is going long before it's even got there.
Horror's of Men in Prison
posted on 09 Aug 2008Jean-Claude Van Damme,(Kyle), "Wake of Death",'04, wound up in prison just because of police stupidity and has a life sentence in a place no person would ever want to stay even for five (5) minutes. Kyle encounters all kinds of strange people and very horny men who desire sex the Hersey way and lots more. The prison personnel and their wives enjoyed watching boxing matches in which the prisoners fought to kill each other. There was all kinds of corruption among the guards and inmates, some of them betrayed their fellow inmates, which sent them to sewers and filthy conditions to sleep and eat. Jean-Claude Van Damme and the cast of actors did a fantastic acting performance, a very graphic story about the horrors of men in prison.
Great Come back
posted on 26 Jul 2008After a long time we have seen a touching and sensational movie of Jean Claude van Damme. The fighting style is totally changed by Van Damme . He fills the color of realism in his fights, the actual way a normal person (Engineer Kyle Lord ) should fight. Lawrence Taylor(451) was good in his acting skills. The character of the giant which dies in the end was also a good one. The direction was normal by Ringo Lam.The film shows extreme violence which takes place in a jail which is like a kind of hell where there is no value of a human life and u have to fight your way through . An A grade movie you will not be bored in this 20 million budget flick
Well, an ok surprise..
posted on 14 Jun 2008Well, I must say I've found Van Damme to be quite a disappointment over the past ten years.He had a very good run with several quite decent films in the 80'ies, topping his career with "Universal Soldier" which, to my mind, is one of the best action films still...since then it's been all downhill and 1/10 ratings I'm afraid.When I stumbled across this film I thought "Van Damme back in jail", wow, another ripoff - this time of "Death Warrant", right? Wrong! Actually this movie was not all bad! It is the first film where I see Van Damme actually acting, big surprise, but it IS actually possible it seems.The story is quite predictable, but still has a lot of good pointers - to me this COULD be the sign of a new era for Van Damme, maybe he WILL actually start making better movies.It does, however, have a training sequence that reminds me alot of Stallone's Rocky films, however I find it to be OK - atleast Van Damme keeps away from his old kung-fu wannabe ballet dancing moves, which is by now more ridicolous and clicheed than they are good looking.Sadly - I'm a hard judge when it comes to this man, mainly due to earlier letdowns, but I'll give this a 4/10, and it probably deserves a bit more, but I choose to wait and see if the future holds more failed attempts for Van Damme or what else is in store.With that said - I recommend this film if you're into a decent action film mixed with a bit of drama.***MILD SPOILERS*** He gets a life sentence for shooting his wifes killer when he is found not guilty. NOW, in real life - during the circumstances, wouldn't be have gotten off with a plead of temporary insanity? Just a little mind barkler...
One of Van Damme's best films!,a Very brutal and gripping Prison film that I loved!
posted on 02 Jun 2008In Hell is an emotional gripping prison movie, that really had me hooked from the get go, and if this isn't Van Damme's best performance it's very close to being it!. There are no fancy kicks from Van Damme in this movie just pure raw fighting and I absolutely loved it, and the opening is very sad and especially gripping, as you will feel for Van Damme's character, plus you will be rooting for Van Damme to get out and escape!. One scene that really makes me cringe is when Van Damme bangs his head against the cement wall in the prison repeatedly, and Lawrence Taylor and Van Damme in my opinion made a good team and had pretty good chemistry together, plus for a DTV film this is as good as it gets!. It's extremely well made and directed, and most of the characters are pretty likable as well(except the villains), plus the are many disturbing images and scenes as well!. Overall This is a must see for every Van Damme fan, as I Believe it's one of his absolute best films!. ***** out of 5The Acting is fantastic!. Jean Claude Van Damme is terrific here if this isn't his best performance, then it's very close to it he really gave a stellar acting performance here, and you will really feel for what he goes through, I think Van Damme could be onto big things in acting as he is really mature now!. Lawrence Taylor is excellent as 451, he Doesen't say much but his performance is there and I think you all will be surprised by the performance he gives!. Lloyd Battista and Carlos Gómez are good as the villains you will hate them!. Chris Moir is good as Billy he was likable, it was really sad with what happened to him.
Van Damme shows some acting ability in this one
posted on 21 May 2008as far as i know,this movie represents a big departure for Jean Claude Van Damme.to me,it marks the first time he has put in a good acting performance.this movie is more of a drama than anything.there are some fight scenes,but they are much more realistic and gritty than his past films,at the one i have seen.the movie also contains some very brutal moments,some implied,others shown. Van Damme's character is shown as very human in this movie.there was also a point to the film,something sorely lacking in previous efforts.it was entertaining,but also very hard to watch at times.if you are expecting over the top fights and stunts,you won't find it here.instead you will find what seems to me to be a fairly accurate portrayal of life in prison,and the horrors that occur there.for me "In Hell" is a strong 7/10 based largely on its realism and Van Damme' heart wrenching performance.
The Shu?I have shus in my cupboard
posted on 13 May 2008STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All CostsIt's Death Warrant re-visited for Van Damme in his latest action thriller,in which he plays Kyle Lord,the boss at a petroleum engineering plant who is returning home from work one day,only to discover his wife being raped and murdered by an evil stranger.When the man is aquitted by some friends in high places,Kyle decides he will have to take the law in to his own hands and kills the man in front of a packed court house.He finds himself sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in a maximum security prison,surrounded by croc infested waters where the guards organize fights between the convicts.With his physical and mental health repeatedly crushed by the system,Kyle strives to find a way out before he can take no more.A vaguely interesting set up ultimately serves to masquerade some stereotypical,cliched characters (everything from the scared,vulnerable young,21 year old inmate,the surly,bold headed bully and the quiet,reclusive psychopath who ultimately emerges as more clever and enlightened than anyone would have thought),a wavey,cohisionless story and a disappointing shortcoming of any actual exciting action,extremely odd for another JC collaboration with director Ringo Lam.There are a few arousing inventive touches here and there,as well as an engaging lead performance from Van Damme,who,were he trying to make amends for the beyond appalling Derailed,certainly succeeds.Then again,anything would.**
Worth A Look
posted on 13 May 2008"In Hell" is a prison movie -- and as we all know -- prison movies come with their own set of clichés. You know the type... the ruthless head prison guard, a corrupt warden, inmates of various nationalities and tendencies complete with their own stories all within the worst of living conditions. "In Hell" couples this with an utterly brutal and ultimately dehumanizing set of fight pieces set inside the corrupt lifeless Russian prison that come together to form the latest opus from Ringo Lam and Van Damme. Now you'll either look past these clichés maybe even embrace them and enjoy the movie as-is or you won't and should turn back now. Those heeding the warning will venture to find a movie akin to the 'been-there-seen-that' trait, but with a Van Damme twist and shaped by the dark foreboding hand of Ringo Lam."In Hell" finds Kyle LeBlanc (Van Damme) living in the former people's republic. Married and working at a steel mill, we get the notion pretty fast that his marriage has taken a few bumps because of his job's placement. He promises to make things right, but before he can his wife is systematically murdered. In court justice is corrupt and Kyle has to find vengeance in the form of a guard's firearm just outside the courtroom as he kills his wife's murderer in a fit of cold blood. The next we see of Kyle he is a torn weary man on a bus in handcuffs on his way to his new life inside the worst prison man has ever seen. A prison where there is no escape and men fight to the death. This is the premise of "In Hell".The prison itself is this cold, dark, violent and repulsive rat trap of a place. It feels almost too real. You feel the coldness, the destruction of mankind happening within it's walls through Kyle, the subhuman food and lodging, everything. It's there. You see it, hear it, feel it. Kyle wants out and so will you.Let me just say that Van Damme's latest efforts have been a mixed bag (and that's being kind). The truth is he's fallen quite a ways from his "Universal Soldier" days and that's what makes "In Hell" such a striking success. This isn't a patterned Van Damme movie. This isn't Van Damme playing Van Damme. The fighting scenes don't even display the usual Van Damme-ish feel to them and that's definitely a good thing. They aren't highly complicated or choreographed. There is no video effects or weird camera angles of any sort to highlight the fighting. It's just raw primitive fighting. No mastering of the martial arts just fisticuffs that are brutal and short to the point.If you watch your share of b-movies some familiar faces in the supporting cast help things along too. Names like Juan Fernández, Robert LaSardo and real life ex-pro footballer Lawrence Taylor (Any Given Sunday) aptly named prisoner "451" that you'll have to see the film to fully understand why."In Hell" is a real nice chance of pace for Van Damme and for that reason alone, I recommend this movie. Don't get me wrong. I'm not a big Van Damme fan myself and "In Hell" is not striking movie-making, but for a DTV prison-farce starring Van Damme of all people if anything it's at least decent.
Dirty Fighting
posted on 30 Aug 2009This must be the one of the best Van Damme movies ever. Great story and Ringo Lam made a really good work as a director. If this movie had a higher budget it would easily hit the cinemas around the world.The fights is great, raw and dirty. The supporting actors are doing their job very well.4/5