Léon: The Professional – Deluxe Edition

Writer / Director: Luc Besson
Release Date: 18 November 1994
Rated R

 

Cast:

Jean Reno as Léon
Gary Oldman as Stansfield
Natalie Portman as Mathilda
Danny Aiello as Tony
Peter Appel as Malky

 

Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman and Danny Aiello star in LÉON THE PROFESSIONAL, a go-for-broke thriller about a professional assassin whose work becomes dangerously personal. Calling himself a “cleaner,” the mysterious Léon is New York’s top hit man. When his next-door neighbors are murdered, Léon becomes the unwilling guardian of the family’s sole sur vivor – 12-year-old Mathilda. But Mathilda doesn’t just want protection; she wants revenge. Training her in the deadly tricks of his trade, Léon helps her track the psychotic agent who murdered her family. From the electrifying opening to the fatal finale, LÉON THE PROFESSIONAL is a nonstop crescendo of action, suspense and surprises. Experience the uncut version, with 24 minutes of footage not included in the original U.S. theatrical version.

Trivia:

Natalie Portman was originally turned down by Todd M. Thaler (the casting director) due to being too young, but she returned to the auditions and performed the scene where Mathilda laments the loss of her brother. Luc Besson was so impressed with the depth of emotion she summoned during the audition that he gave her the role.

The original script had more scenes with “awkward sexual tension” between Mathilda and Léon. These scenes were later cut out for the American release dubbed “The Professional”, but were included in the 1996 European release, as well as in the deleted scenes of the special edition DVD. They were reintegrated back into the film for the ‘International Cut’, which is now available on DVD.

This is Natalie Portman’s motion picture debut. She was 11 when she was cast.

Léon Gaumont was a French inventor developing cinematographic techniques in the late 19th century alongside with the Lumière brothers. Gaumont is the name of the production company that made this film.

 

 

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