The rest of the story about Leon and Mathilda....

A FINE movie, excellent direction, incredible action, and some fine acting by all involved.

(Unlike many cinematic "improvements, the extra 24 minutes added to (finally) this edition actually improve an already outstanding film...

I'd like to add, that the reviewers who cry "obscene" over this platonic relationship are clearly mentally ill....

Mathilda, as a precocious pre-pubescent girl, fixated on Leon, yes....However, when Leon (gently) turned down her naive advances, she turned right over and went to sleep, happily...See Leon as an Uncle, or whtever you want...

Hey, Lunatics!

Don't let the fact they were in the same bed scar you too deeply.

This intelligent and action-packed thriller made me stand up and take notice of several actors who I hadn't known before, as well as the work of director Luc Besson. Few action thrillers are as original as this one; after all, there are only so many shoot-'em ups that you can stage before the whole idea becomes shopworn. But this one manages more than a few original twists and turns--as in the Lolita-like love story between the young girl and the older man, which was downplayed in the American version by cutting some of the footage that was left in the European release of the film. Sometimes it doesn't pay to live in the land where stodgy and/or prudish characters like Mrs. Grundy and Samuel Bowdler were icons--you get these Bowdlerized versions of European films. :-)

Jean Reno is terrific as the hitman with a heart, and Natalie Portman is impressive as the precocious 12-year old who has lost her family to the corrupt cop, played by Gary Oldman. Oldman is superb as always, but perhaps plays his part even more over top than usual, as the double-dealing, cocaine-snorting cop who's searching for Reno and Portman after a drug deal goes bad. Also, I hadn't seen Danny Aiello in many years, and it was good to see he's still working.

The whole cast is terrific, and there's enough action in the flick to satisfy even the most jaded taste. I thought Reno was the most memorable, which is saying something as it's no mean feat to upstage Portman or Oldman in this film, but he's just great as the simple, but big-hearted hitman with acrobatic, ninja-like skills. Each scene is memorable and just well written and tightly directed. There's no wasted verbiage or action.

With the restoration of over 20 minutes of previously cut footage the movie has even more appeal than the original. I think this movie is the best of its genre and easily stands heads and shoulders above the competition with a strong plot and story, engaging characters, strong performances, and enough action to fill up three lesser movies. Overall a fine film and one that is probably destined to become a classic.

I liked this movie when I first saw the US version . I considered it a very good movie, but I felt that it was not as good as it could have been . When I found this uncut version ,I expected some differences; but I found a spectacular movie. Do not buy the US version. This international would rate 5 stars+ . I was blown away , it was more than I expected. The US version would rate a 2 against this uncut masterpiece. I have never been so moved ...this is the only review I have taken the time to write. I could not do justice if I tried to describe the content and depth of this version. You have to see this for yourself. Dante Conchise

After her drug-dealer father and family are murdered, 12 year-old Matilda (Natalie Portman) is effectively adopted by Leon (Jean Reno), the nice man in the apartment next door who just happens to be a hit-man. Leon then proceeds to teach Matilda his trade so that she can exact revenge on her family's killers.

"Leon" is one of the most unusual films that I have ever seen and also one of the best. Without a doubt, it is the best of Luc Besson's films. In a video store, this film would probably be placed in the action section, but although it contains a number of (very violent) action scenes, I don't really see this film as being an action film in the same sense that something like "Die Hard" is. It is more a study of the relationship between Leon and Matilda, and a very good one at that. Leon and Matilda are two extremely damaged people who manage to find love (albeit platonic love) with each other. The fact that they find this love through activities that most people would consider to be less than desirable just adds to this film's charm. It is also a study of innocence, contrasting Leon's child-like nature (the look on Reno's face as he watches a Gene Kelly movie is priceless) with that of an actual child.

Everything about this film is excellent. From Besson's script and directing to Reno, Portman and Gary Oldman as the film's three leads. Although made in English with mostly American actors (except for Reno, who, bizarrely, plays an Italian) and targeted at the American/International market, this is, in fact, a French film and is stylistically more European than American, and in my opinion, is all the better for it. I just saw this film for the second time last night and I already want to re-watch it. I cannot recommend this film enough.

I saw this for the first time On Demand last summer, and it was pretty good, but I was hooked on Oldman's character Stansfield. Lately we have been casting around for movies to watch, and my husband had never seen this, so I ordered it and we watched it last night. This version has scenes I don't remember from the summer, so I assume it's somewhat of a director's cut.

The thing is, while Reno is good (and his character is good), it's not enough to carry the movie. Now, everyone talks about how fabulous Portman was in this movie. And when I saw it on TV, I did think she was good, although I felt the character of Mathilda was too one-dimensional. I wasn't emotionally invested in her character, so I didn't really care much about her part of the story. She was just a whiny manipulative kid.

And in this particular version there's even more to dislike. The extra footage is all Leon and Mathilda. There's just too much screen time involving only them. These two characters aren't enough to carry that much screen time. I found myself embarrassed for having recommended it.

Luckily, that last shootout scene is so amusingly done (and the conflict ends so satisfyingly) that it was worth it in the end, but without Oldman's quirky performance I would never have recommended it for rewatching.

I had wanted this movie for a long time! Especially when I heard of the deleted scenes. The price was awesome for it and I think it's considered a classic, now. Superb actors in 1 movie, including one of my favs, Gary Oldman. yum!! Grab it!!

This movie is great. It is so well done and so well acted. A break out role for everyone in it.

i do not know why but this movie has been my favorite since the first time i watched it. i was 10, i just do not get bored of it. i probably watched it over 20 times. I love Jean Reno and Natalie Portman, i would watch any movie either of them is in. I love V for Vendetta as well but no matter how many movies i watched i never could say that this movie is better than Leon - The Professional.

If you havent seen it you should!!!!!!!!!!!

I still don't know why I love this movie so much. I am by nature a very calm sort of peaceful person, never in a million years I would have wasted money in renting a violent movie let alone buying it! But this movie really goes beyond violence. In fact, the violence aspect is only a facade for a most intrinsic and pure message: Love germinate in all enviroment no matter how harsh or hostile the environment is. And what's more it's cleverly done so by the outstanding acting of Portman, Reno and Oldman.

This film has drama, great plot and intense action. If you want a film that will keep in suspense than this film is for you.

This movie is definitely a classic. It touches on the sadistic in a naive way and quite acceptable in Luc Besson's native French culture (according to his girlfriend anyway). The only gripe I have is that like The Big Blue, I much prefer the edited version. It's amazing how editors can get it so right. A fabulous film - Gary Oldman is a master at his craft and I love Jean Reno as the emotionally immature 'cleaner'. Natalie Portman in her first big role and its a tough role to follow. Haven't seen her in a movie after this one where her talent is able to come to the fore as much as in this one. One of the most noticeable exclusions in the bonus material is Luc Besson himself. I also would have loved to see an interview with Gary Oldman and a feature on Eric Serra the composer. The bonus material has made me want to check out La Femme Nikita where it all began.

You will love the earnest and innocent "father-daughter" relationship between the two main characters who were lonely and in need of someone to love.

One of the parts of this movie is how awesome the cover art is. When I ordered it from Amazon I assumed that it would come with the movie. When I received it there was no cover sleeve which for me is a big thing so I was disappointed plus the discs were knocked loose, better off just buying it somewhere else.

I bought 2 of these movie sets. One of them has no volume We know it is the tape for all other tapes work but 1 that I ordered does not.
thanks Cheryl Lanning 425-413-1835

This DVD Leon is the original version of The Professional. The Professional is often seen on American cable tv. However this version was only shown to international audiences because some of the material, particularly the relationship between a 13 year old girl and 40 something year old man, would be objectional to uptight American audiences.

The story starts by introducing us to Leon as he takes a "cleaning" job from his boss, a fat Italian Don working out of a small restaurant in Little Italy. In the first job that we see Leon perform; Leon expertly wipes out an entire drug gang using a variety of lethal methods. He scares the drug lord senseless and forces him out of town. Then we learn that as great as Leon is as a hitman he seems to lead a very lonely life. He lives alone in a small NY apartment building. He always wears a coat because he is armed to the teeth with guns, grenades and other explosive goodies. He sleeps sitting down fully dressed because he fears reprisals. His only companion is a plant that he dotes on lovingly. He leads a clean life as he exercises religously and constantly drinks milk. Leon interacts with Mathilda, a neighboring teen who lives unhappily with her family. Mathilda's father is contracted by crooked DEA agents to hold bags of pure cocaine for them. Unfortunately for Mathilda's Dad he puts his hand in the cookie...er coke jar. This leads the DEA agents to come back and get their coke. This crooked group of DEA agents is led by a drugged up nut named Stansfield(played to the hilt by Gary Oldman). Stansfield loves Beethoven, drugs and guns. In a great scene Oldman dopes himself up with a funny-looking green/yellow capsule then proceeds to go ballistic on Mathilda's family; shooting Mom as she lays in a bubble bath, blowing Big Sis away as she runs screaming down the hall and even blowing away Baby Brother. The catch here is that Mathilda has gone to the store and is away as her family is being executed. Upon Mathilda's return she sees that her family has been whacked and knows that she is next if she doesn't think fast. So she knocks on Leon's neighboring door. After much waiting, Leon opens the door saving the girl's life.

The movie then shifts to the relationship between the illiterate 40 something hitman Leon and the smart 13 year old budding beauty Mathilda. The actors Jean Reno and Natalie Poortman in her debut do a fantastic job of creating a relationship that is sweet innocent yet sexily forbidden. Here is where the International DVD "Leon" differs from the American version "The Professional". Leon gives the viewer 24 minutes of footage that was part of the original version. These 24 minutes give us more detail on the relationship and how Mathilda pushes Leon to be intimate with her yet Leon can not due to his past and also his guilt. It is a sad tale of a great love that can never be consumated.

In the conclusion, Stansfield reappears and is determined to get Leon and Mathilda. The conclusion is all explosions and bullets but the viewer is left with the memory of the love story between Mathilda and Leon. This love story makes LEON a great and unforgettable film.

I am not happy w/ the way I received this DVD. When I took it out of the box it was shipped in, I could tell that the DVD was loose in its case, rolling around. It is a Christmas gift so I am not opening it to check it. I am going to hope that the DVD is not scratched. I am very upset that the DVD showed up in this condition, and now I have to hope it's ok to give as a Christmas gift.

This is one of the few movies I've actually spent money on. Leon is definitely my favorite movie of all time. Go into it with no expectations and see where it takes you. Just wow. I can watch it over and over easily. I won't say anything else because I'm sure others have already said enough.

Getting the uncut version("Leon) is a no brainer if you have a brain. You should get the American Version("The Professional") if you have a low IQ though. Unless you can comprehend the story fully you won't appreciate it.

Luc Bessons Leon is a spellbinding story of a Hitman and a young girl. The hitman 'Leon' is played by Jean Reno and 'Matilda' by Natalie Portman. Both are brilliant. The other major role in the film goes to Gary Oldman as the corrupt and psychotic Policeman 'Stansfield'. Oldman is typically over the top, but in this film it felt right.

The detail of the relationship between Leon and Matilda is left implied but unstated directly. It may be sexual, despite Matilda being underage, but somehow you accept that their relationship works. Although Matilda is the innocent because of her age (12), Leon appears on some level to be an innocent or simpleton as well. He is a deadly hitman, but he is being ripped off by the man who organises the jobs for him, and I never got the impression that he had a grip on anything other than how to kill people.

This is all done beautifully. Scene after scene will stay with you: The opening where Leon goes to visit the 'Fatman'. The early rampage by 'Stansfield' at the apartment when Matildas father is in trouble over drugs. The scene in the toilet at the Police Station. I could list a dozen memorable scenes quite easily.

One thing worth mentioning is that although a lot of bullets fly during this film, there are really no special effects, and yet it is effortlessly more entertaining than say Mission Impossible III (a random pick of a recent blockbuster) which is full of CGI effects and explosions. In Leon you care about the characters beacuse the script is good (the music is also an inportant factor as well). This film will affect you and despite the violence, and occasional black comic moments, you may well end up crying.

The longer version presented here has a fair amount of additional material, most noteably a much longer sequence where Leon is training Matilda. I have seen this version and the shorter version released in the UK and rate both versions equally highly.

Mathilda is a bright 12 year old girl living with her awful family in a rundown tenement. She is emotionally ignored and physically beaten by her dope slinger father, her stepmother who dresses like a prostitute and her sister who seems to spend her life tightening her buttocks muscles to aerobices videos.
Mathilda's neighbor Leon is a quiet, brooding loner who performs mob hits through local mob contact Danny Aiello, who takes advantage of Leon's lack of education and language skills. Leon radiates disillusionment with his trade, but seems locked into what he does and does well.
Leon strikes a fatherly friendship with Mathilda; he taking pity on the sweet child and her unfortunate enviroment; she sadly desperate for stability and caring in her cruel world.
When renegade DEA man Gary Oldman and his combo posse of rogue agents and street thugs slaughter Mathildas family, Leon and Mathilda are forced together. Oldman soon comes to realize a witness from the apartment masscre may be alive.Little Mathilda becomes Oldmans target and detatched Leon's lonely life is invigorated as he uses his talent with firearms with his newfound role of paternal protecter of his charge.
Oldmans performance as a pill-popping dirty dealing cop is over the edge and the double life he leads somewhat incredible as he eases between dope ripoff and legit cop work without fear of detection. Jean Reno is superb in the silence and solitude of a borderline depressed thug who is probably raked with internal conflict over his line of work. Natalie Portman is Oscar material as a child who tries to be tough but in the end can only do what a child can do. Portmans portrayal is remarkably touching without being cloying or pandering and will probably warm the hearts of many who rent this for the gunplay.
GREAT FILM!!

Having seen the 'movie released' version of Leon - The Professional I was very impressed with the international version. I enjoyed the exploration of the relationship between Leon and Mathilda and have to say I found it one of the most entertaining movies I've watched in a while. Leon does what he does and keeps his life simple except where it applies to his relationship with Mathilda. What develops here is a clear image of a man's desire to help this girl (who he loves both as a daughter and woman, although the movie subtly conveys the ability to keep the two apart.) Hey, in the end he does the bad guy and helps the good guy. What more could you ask for??

Great movie - great performances.

The additional 24 minutes of footage make this movie finally come together for the viewer.The scene of Tony's first face to face meeting with Mathilda , (glaringly absent from the first U.S. version)make one see how she could approach him with familiarity later.The restored scenes of Leon training Mathilda (in the use of firearms), and going on "cleaning" jobs, lends credibility to her having the idea she could take on the DEA. And so on, and so on.I considered it a excellent film before,but it is much more coherent and understandable with the re-insertion of the missing scenes.******(6 Stars)

I just watched the professional a couple of months ago. And i didn't see any of the love story. If you've seen this movie and you seen Matilda and leon as lovers then i bet your a huge fan of John Mark Kar, and child pornagraphy. I mean come on shes twelve and he's what pushing 40. But i do have to admit Matildas a pretty creepy kid. But whenever she comes on to him it gets really awkward and he seems afraid of her. And all the flaws in this is kind of sad. Nobody notices how crazy the cop is. And leon kills a dozen not just cops but a swat team with two hand guns oh while hanging upside down. Can you imagine how many times he dropped the guns during takes. What is he superman always dissapearing and reappearing during his hits. And why weren't there any reporters i mean come on. Cops killed, shootouts in the middle of new york, a aparment building being blownup. I know new yorks a pretty bad place but not one freakin reporter. Then theres matilda shooting out the window and nobody calls the cops. And what up the cops killing matildas whole family. THe force didn't even do a real invastigation. They should of suspended there badges untill they got to the bottom of it. Because I'm so sure a four yr old is such a threat.

The Professional is an interesting movie. It's gritty, oddly matched characters and colors present something...odd. Leon is lovable...he is sexy and kind and hilarious, while still retaining the sadness that is due him, anywhere from watching Gene Kelly with ardour to his sleeping habits. Gary Oldman is a little over the top, but he's still good and creepy, while being a believable drug addict. Natalie Portman is a brat...her swearing was annoying, her dressing ridiculously provocative at points, her attitude unbearable, and her penchant for Jean Reno, or Leon, extremely creepy sometimes (such as wearing his underwear to bed, telling the hotel manager that Leon was her lover, and telling him she was falling in love with him while they zoomed in on her stomach). The storyline was good, and thankfully they kept Leon refreshingly not-turned-on by her attempts to be close to him. It stays platonic enough to be enjoyable at parts, but Mathilda (Natalie Portman) was over the top and pervertedly provocative, such as dancing in a bra and thong-over-tights while singing "You Make Me Feel Like a Virgin" to Leon. Thankfully Leon is just respectable and kind.
The storyline is sad, such as Leon worked for years and years killing while being used by his "friend" Tony, then Mathilda being denied the money Leon desired her to have. The ending was extremely sad, but thankfully one gets the impression Mathilda will become better later in life.
In Ronin, it is pointed out during director commentary how hard it is and what a beautiful thing it is to make a set look lived in or old and cruddy. They achieve this grittiness to perfection in The Professional, with all the different apartments Mathilda forces them to move in to. The clothes, unfortunately, excepting Leons, seem to hark back to mid-80s rather than mid-90s.
Jean Reno was absolutely fantastic, lovable, and sympathetic as a man learning to live again, while still being able to kill. He's smart, he just seems to have turned off his human side too long. Gary Oldman is creepy, a little over the top, but hateful in the good way while having his own almost endearing nuances. Mathilda is extremely annoying and creepy, but after watching it twice she did not bug me as much as the first time. She's extremely believable in her idiocy.
It was a good movie, Jean Reno was fantastic, however it is not a feel good movie, nor does it have crazy fighting sequences, though the ones they do have are good. A good movie to watch Jean Reno in.

lucky this movie came before i went on vacation. and i had forgot i was going away for the week. so great shipping

Lots of action; bang bang shoot 'em up (Leon's a professional hitman!). Lots of edge of your seat suspense at every turn (will the main character's get away safe?) You definitely root for Leon because of his grandiose kindness. You've got a real bad guy as the antagonist (this guy is psycho!) Did I say action and suspense?!!! Leon is VERY ADEPT at his craft! Excellent acting, believable. You do spend almost the entire movie holding your breath.

"I know what I want to do with the rest of my life. I want to be an assassin. Like you." Spoken by a little [..]Natalie Portman, which becomes the earmark of my early attentions that this movie was more than your run of the mill movie. In fact, Natalie Portman may not have been the focus of this film but every ounce of her characterization of Mathilda stood out as owning this films reputation as an underground international hit. I can't give justice to the power she releases at the explosive ending with Leon that comes straight from some everyone-dies-Scorsese-mob-ending. Her invoking sobs are stomach clutching and her innate control is so fantastic it's frighteningly genius. It's almost impossible for me to discover the means for her to of have created such a complete character with such genuine passion when I consider the real life pressures such as the presence of people and running camera's absorbing every nuance of her countenance and paired against such dominating presence as Jean Reno and Gary Oldman no less! At film ending, I felt obligated beyond an audiance member, as if some member in an important film jury. Obligated to award that outstanding performance. Because in the movie business, audiences (unlike sports spectators who support having the best of athlets)do not reward the best of movie making. They rush to see movies like spider man 3, and oceans and reward them with unbelievable revenues that executives celebrate over. This under the radar revenge film with a bizarrly genius child actor was more than just a klatch of hollywood moments, it was a delicate lingo of sexual undertones. It was a 'becoming of age'-ness, and metamorphisized rebirth. This child was fantastic and worth droves of applause. She literally and metaphorically walks away from the hollywood glitch and glamour at some point. Away from the eye catching fire, and explosions. The throngs of police extra's, and of the cliche final showdown. She walks away as a child would, but with the aged spirit of a master actress, spliting the story in no better way for me into that scence of departure. One the one side is Leon, the revenge gun for hire story, and then the other of a precious girl coming of age under extraordinary circumstances which parallels the slave of Leon's rebirth from soulessness. "Is it always this hard?" She asks Leon with blood on her face. And as if questioning the validity of her own living, sweeps the blood with her hand and stares at it. "No." Exclaims Leon without emotion. Planted behind Leon's mirrory glasses at that moment is his rebirth.

Excellent movie now a classic never get sick of watching, a must have for all movie buffs !

This is a fantastic movie. Jean Reno is absolutely marvelous as the hit man who takes in an orphaned young girl (Natalie Portman) after a crooked DEA agent (Gary Oldman) kills off her entire family. Reno brings depth, sensitivity and a true comedic flair to the character. Natalie Portman is, naturally, adorable and shows true skill in the role. And Gary Oldman? He's just brilliant. The best - that is the foulest, the most despicable - villain there ever was. You've just got to see this movie!The Professional

Here is the rare film that combines a ridiculous storyline with a fabulous cast, great overacting, action, tenderness, angst and pathos and creates a winner you can't take your eyes, ears, heart or attention from. It will have you rooting for a serial killer who is teaching a 12-year-old the tricks of the trade. No kidding!

Jean Reno, who has probably never given a poor performance, is perfectly cast as an illiterate killer for hire. When Natalie Portman's family -- which lives in his building -- is murdered by bad cop-cocaine dealer Gary Oldman and crew, not yet teenager Portman survives and takes up housekeeping with the illiterate neighbor, a witness to the murders that is a full-time contractor to restaranteur Danny Aiello, playing the kind of gritty New York role that's made him famous.

You've probably already figured out this movie contains a lot of profanity, killing, bloodletting, foul play, and good guy-bad guy technique that's typical in this kind of urban drug-induced "police" drama. What you haven't figured out -- and what you won't until you see this film -- is the affectionate relationship it creates between older than her years but still youthful Portman and her new father figure and the way this relationship will addict you to this film.

Their relationship is about as connective as that torch you still carry for the high school sweetheart that got away. It sits beneath the surface eating up emotional bandwidth and retaining a place in your shattered psyche. The relationship between Portman and Reno (pronounced renn-Oh, not like the city in Nevada) will do the same thing to you.

I had no idea this movie, now 13 years of age, had all this going for it. It's a film that catches you unprepared. You want to see all the killing and be neutralized by its brutality. Yet this tender relationship between two down and out figures draws you in like a wet kitten at your front door whose mother was just run over by a car in the street. It melts your heart. Meanwhile, Gary Oldman is the [erfect foil, the epitome of evil. He gets his later in a memorable scene with our hero, Reno.

You have all this to look forward to as many times as you want by buying, renting, or borrowing this wonderful movie. My advice is to get on with it.

This version of Leon: The Professional is dead on perfect. The picture and audio quality is top notch. There are some nice bonus features thrown in too. Great acting by Reno, Portman, and Oldman. The extended scenes give you an even deeper look into Mathilda's training and her love for Leon. I highly recommend this DVD!

Great movie, great acting, recommend to anyone who loves Luc Besson movies. I got the movie in a timely manner, and it was in perfect condition. I highly recommend buying again.

How could a film featuring Jean Reno, Natalie Portman, and Gary Oldman possibly be better? Make it longer! Enough said. Superb. One of my favourite movies of all time.

If you like the movie, the Director's Cut is a must. 24-34 minutes added was worth it. Having the cast again and hearing the backstories was worth the addition. I just wish Gary Oldman was there too, but sadly missed

"Leon (The Professional)" is an extremely violent film, which may discourage some viewers from discovering the extraordinary debut performance of eleven-year-old Natalie Portman. While one would expect excellence from Jean Reno (as the immigrant killer-for-hire Leon) and the demonic Gary Oldman as a corrupt and drug-addicted police officer, the real surpise is Portman's natural and effective portrayal of a child seeking revenge for the callous murder of her little brother. Leon accepts responsibility for her care, and the two develop an uneasy bond that is actually the main focus of the film. Several scenes are outstanding, such as Portman's tearful but underplayed plea to be admitted to Leon's apartment after seeing her father's lifeless body lying in a hallway. (The DVD contains an interview with the adult Portman, and refers to this scene.) Equally moving is Portman's developing crush on the much older Leon, and Reno's reserved and somewhat confused reaction to her advances ranks high among his, or any actor's, work on screen. The extended mayhem at the climax of the film is overdone, but nevertheless gripping, and provides a logical and touching resolution to this unusual but very plausible adult-child relationship. (Be sure to watch the Portman interview, in which she explains her parents' reluctance to allow her to accept the role, given the level of violence, her handling of weapons, and that she appears to be smoking.) This film was released internationally under the title "Leon" and in North America as "The Professional." The latter is a shorter version that omits several important scenes. Choose the extended version, which develops the relationship between the two main characters much more effectively. Fans of Natalie Portman should also check out the film Beautiful Girls in which she has a minor but extremely well acted role as a young and lovesick teenager. This film predicts her excellent later work in Where the Heart Is and Anywhere But Here.

This is just one of those rare type of movies that come across every so often that really captures true human emotion without all the attention being focused on how many times something blows up or someone uttering a ridiculous line that forever huants the rest of that films celuloid life. This film is truly a work of art and will forever be one of my favorites.