- Actors: Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello, Peter Appel
- Directors: Luc Besson
- Writers: Luc Besson
- Producers: Luc Besson, Bernard Grenet, Claude Besson, John Garland, Patrice Ledoux
- Format: PAL
- Subtitles: English, Swedish, Finnish, Danish, Greek, Icelandic
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 2.35:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: 18
- Studio: Buena Vista
- DVD Release Date: 15 May 2000
- Run Time: 110 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (90 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004R84D
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 4,044 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
Luc Besson (The Fifth Element) made his American directorial debut with this stylised thriller about a French hit man (Jean Reno) who takes in an American girl (Natalie Portman) being pursued by a corrupt killer cop (Gary Oldman). Oldman is a little more unhinged than he should be, but there is something genuinely irresistible about the story line and the relationship between Reno and Portman. Rather than cave in to the cookie-cutter look and feel of American action pictures, Besson brings a bit of his glossy style from French hits La Femme Nikita and Subway to the production of The Professional, and the results are refreshing even if the bullets and explosions are awfully familiar.--Tom Keogh
Special Features
2.35 Wide Screen
DVD 5
English
Region 2
DVD 5
English
Region 2
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Leon - brilliant - one of Besson's best!!,
By Zebedee "bluezebedee" (London, UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Leon [VHS] [1995] (VHS Tape)
Leon is amongst my favourite films (incl. Dernier Combat, Subway and Big Blue). Film follows the story of an 11-year old girl (Nathalie Portman) and hit man (Jean Reno) who takes Portman under his wing after her family is killed by corrupt cop (Gary Oldman). Oldman delivers a superb performance in his portrayal of a psychotic, drug snorting, truly unpleasant villian (listens to Beethoven's symphony to inspire him before a killing - both comic and chilling; somehow this and True Romance's pimp roles seem made for Oldman)! Besson's talent is evident in his portrayal of the relationship between Reno and Portman. He deals with delicate themes such as Portman being the adult at times - she's a mother to her brother, wanting to appear mature as she smokes her cigarette when she first meets Leon vs. Leon playing the father figure/professional hitman role yet being a child himself, is moving; the sexual chemistry between the characters is warm and natural without being sordid. Superb film - not to be missed.
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A unique and moving film,
By
This review is from: Leon [VHS] [1995] (VHS Tape)
Despite the violence (which is never gratuitous anyway) this is a touchingly moving and sometimes funny film which explores the relationship between a hitman (played in a brilliantly understated way by Jean Reno)and a twelve year old orphaned girl Mathilda (Natalie Portman in her best performance to date.)Gary Oldman gives a truly sinister performance as a psychotically murderous corrupt cop (the enemy of both Leon and Mathilda.) The humour provides some light hearted relief ( ie Mathilda's impersonation of Madonna, Marilyn Monroe in "Happy Birthday Mr. President" and a great Charlie Chaplin) also Leon's attempt at John Wayne is a nice moment. The musical score by Eric Serra is very good although, presumably, for copyright reasons, the excellent single "Venus as a Boy" by the Icelandic singer and actress Bjork is not included on the soundtrack but it is available separately at budget price. One of my favourite moments is when Mathilda, having just been rescued from Oldman's murderous colleagues by Leon, asks him his name. On hearing what it is she replies "Cute name" at which point Leon spills his glass of milk all over himself! a nice moment in an intelligent, original and moving film. The film avoids being exploitative due to the sensitivity of its direction and through the intelligent performances by its leading actors.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stunning.,
This review is from: Leon [DVD] [1995] (DVD)
Ever brilliant Jean Reno star's as Leon, an Italian "Cleaner" (Hitman to you and I). Directed by Luc Besson (who went to do The Fifth Element), it's a very stylish and compelling story. When Leon's neighbour is murdered by bent DEA agent Gary Oldman (who should have had an oscar for this), his daughter Matilda (Natalie Portman in pre-Padme Amidala days) seeks refuge with Leon who reluctantly accepts to train her as a killer. Things get complicated when Matilda gets a little too eager to exact her revenge though... A Brilliant film BUT this UK edition is bettered by the Region 1 uncut version available over the web, which contains an additional 25 minutes that were chopped as they were considered at bit to much for us Brits - so if your DVD will take them - buy that version if you can get a copy. If you haven't seen this movie before, you should be able to tell how good this movie is - 4 reviews and 4 lots of 5 stars...
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