On the same night that he was crowned an NCAA wrestling champion, Dillon McCabe (Wes Chatham) was involved in the killing of a cop and then sentenced to fifteen years of prison. Ten years later, Dillon is paroled back onto the streets of his run-down Baton Rouge neighborhood. Before he can pick up the pieces of his life, his best friend gets in trouble with a vicious loan shark. To get the money to free him, Dillon must return to fighting this time, mixed martial arts. But his quick, brutal success gets him into more trouble than ever. And after three vicious triumphs, he discovers that his real opponent is a corrupt system that requires him to do the impossible: lose.
D**R
This is a great movie about a fighter who spends a long time ...
This is a great movie about a fighter who spends a long time in jail for murder. When finally released he is forced to participate in mixed martial arts fighting to earn money to help his best friend get out of trouble with a loan shark. He has to fight, he's good at it and after three wins he finds out that the system is corrupt because now they suddenly want him to lose.
A**S
Very much a low grade 'B' Movie but add a '4' star if you are an MMA fan!
Well, you need to be an Mixed Martial Arts fan who doesn't mind clunky scripts and someone who is pretty much craving for another film similar to Warrior or Rocky if you are going to nudge this up to four stars. I found it pretty silly but entertaining and a few cans of lagers and the company of a few mates certainly helps.Not a classic and not at all in the same class as Warrior in my opinion. But hey it is thriller with MMA in the background so it is a little different. At times I was struggling to stay with it but I have to admit the lead actor is pretty watchable and convincing in the role and there are some nice training sequences and if you don't blink a few mma names taking a background role.There is a reason this has gone under the radar but it has its moments and if you at all interested in the subject matter you will probably get something from this film - certainly at £3 for a Blu Ray it was worth a try.
F**N
Never Back Down.
Unbelievably good film for the budget. Well directed and acted. Jason Connerys best directorial effort by far. The story of redemption has been done before and this isn't an epic but it's a very enjoyable watch and proves a good film can still be made on a Small budget when you get all the ingredients right!No bonus material but picture and sound quality is good.
W**S
Great action and sound story line
I bought this at what was a ridiculously low price and thought it worth a chance based on only two 5* reviews. I am glad that I did. Great action sequences with sound story line. I really enjoyed it and recommend it.
M**L
A hidden gem!
REad the reviews was a bit sceptical because i'd never heard of it but its a great film. If you like the warrior, the fighter and the rocky films you'll love this. Highly recommended!
G**D
very good
good film with very good story which was exciting with action well recomeded for people who like fighting and boxing films
B**N
Excellent DTV action movie
This is the best action movie so far from After Dark Films. Produced by legendary action producer Joel Silver (Lethal Weapon, Die Hard), the earlier movies like 'Dragon Eyes' have been disappointing but 'The Philly Kid' puts things right with a compelling, gritty, MMA fight story. Very similar in set up to the excellent Gary Daniels movie 'Forced to Fight', 'The Philly Kid' provides excellent entertainment for action movie fans.This was originally only available to import from the US but is now available in the UK on DVD and Blu Ray from G2 Pictures. Unfortunately the Blu Ray has no extras or even subtitles, but is recommended for the quality of the movie.
Trustpilot
4 days ago
2 weeks ago
