The year was 1995. I was behind the counter at a video store, reshelving tapes, when a customer asked for “that weird football movie with Rutger Hauer.” I drew a blank then, and I’m only now realizing that I missed out on something truly unique. How could a sci-fi sports film starring a Blade Runner icon slip through the cracks?
It’s easy to rattle off classic sci-fi flicks or sports dramas. Star Wars, Alien, Bull Durham, Caddyshack – they’re all ingrained in our cultural DNA. But try naming a film that blends those genres. The list shrinks considerably.
Rollerball, Solarbabies, Real Steel, Speed Racer, Death Race 2000, The Running Man, and… then what? It’s a niche so small that genre fans likely know every title. Or so I thought, until I stumbled upon The Blood of Heroes (released as The Salute of the Jugger in Australia).
Released in 1989, this movie features Rutger Hauer, Joan Chen, Delroy Lindo, and Vincent D’Onofrio. They play athletes in a post-apocalyptic world, traveling between settlements to compete in “the Game” – a brutal fusion of football, hockey, and rugby played in Mad Max-esque armor, with a dog skull serving as the ball.
Maybe you’re already a fan, shouting “Jugger!” at your screen. I missed the memo, and after almost 40 years, I’m still scratching my head. The film was written and directed by David Webb Peoples (Blade Runner, 12 Monkeys, Unforgiven). I rented it on Prime Video (€3.99), and two things became clear. First, there’s a reason this film isn’t as celebrated as other sci-fi sports hybrids. Second, few films show such respect for the intricate details of a sport they invented.
Inside the Game: More Than Just Post-Apocalyptic Football
Think about the last time you watched a sports movie. It’s easy to get caught up in the drama, but The Blood of Heroes approaches sports with a unique reverence. Here’s what I mean.
The film refers to the sport as “the Game,” but fans call it “Jugger,” after the players. Five players per side. Four “enforcers” use weapons to clear a path for “the Quick,” who carries the dog skull and tries to spike it. One point wins. A match can last seconds or extend to “100 stones, three times over.”
How does timekeeping work in a post-apocalyptic sport like Jugger?
“100 stones, three times over?” It sounds crazy, but that’s the genius of The Blood of Heroes. The world is a wasteland, devoid of advanced technology. How do you measure game time? Clocks and watches are relics. Simple counting is too inconsistent. The solution? The timekeeper stacks three piles of 100 rocks, hurling them against a wall. Each 100 stones marks a break. It’s primitive, practical, and brilliant.
The plot follows Sallow (Hauer) and his team as they travel the wasteland, challenging towns to the Game. They encounter Kidda (Chen), who dreams of joining the League, a mythical professional circuit. She joins Sallow’s team, alongside D’Onofrio and Lindo. What do they win? What are the stakes? It’s unclear. Every town competes fiercely, but post-match, everyone is surprisingly friendly, exhibiting sportsmanship rarely seen in such films. This camaraderie is the soul of the film, a bright spark in a dim world.
A Basic Plot Elevated by Unwavering Sportsmanship
I once watched a documentary about competitive chess players, and was surprised to see them analyze their matches with opponents immediately after the game. This is the level of respect that The Blood of Heroes tries to capture.
Eventually, Sallow’s team reaches an underground capital to challenge a League team. The narrative follows a predictable underdog formula. The film’s strength lies not in its plot, which is formulaic, but in its unwavering commitment to the rules and spirit of the Game.
That’s why, while The Blood of Heroes isn’t a masterpiece, it earns my respect. Other sci-fi sports films often neglect the intricacies of their invented sports. How does space football function in Starship Troopers? The Blood of Heroes, in contrast, prioritizes the mechanics of the Game and the respect among its players, even at the expense of a compelling story. This bold choice likely contributed to its obscurity, but if you’re seeking a unique sci-fi film this Super Bowl weekend, it might just fit the bill.
Why aren’t there more sci-fi sports movies?
Perhaps it’s the challenge of creating a believable sport from scratch, demanding a level of world-building often absent in mainstream cinema. Maybe the inherent violence of many sports clashes with the often utopian (or dystopian) themes in science fiction, creating a tonal dissonance that is difficult to manage.
Assorted Musings
The Wikipedia page for this movie contains some fascinating details.
- In Australia, the film was titled The Salute of the Jugger.
- The Australian version includes an extra 10 minutes.
- Fans worldwide have created the sport of Jugger in real life.
- A documentary about Jugger, titled I Am Jugger, is available on YouTube.
- A remastered 4K edition of the film has been released, with a longer workprint version. You can purchase it here.
The Blood of Heroes is available to rent or buy on Prime Video.
Could Jugger ever become a mainstream sport?
The physicality and inherent danger of Jugger might limit its widespread appeal, but the rise of niche sports suggests that Jugger could find a dedicated following. The real-world Jugger community needs to build a strong organizational infrastructure and develop clear, standardized rules to foster growth. What do you think – could Jugger break into the mainstream?
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.