Jet Li is usually a god. In most of his movies, he’s the stoic master, the invincible hero, or the legendary folk figure who moves with the grace of a calligrapher. But in Danny the Dog, he’s something else entirely. He is a broken, feral child trapped in the body of a lethal weapon. Honestly, it’s the most vulnerable we’ve ever seen him on screen.
Most people know this film by its North American title, Unleashed. But the original title, Danny the Dog, gets to the heart of the matter much better. It’s a bizarre, grit-covered fable about a man who was raised in a cage. Literally.
The Brutality of the Collar
The premise is dark. Like, genuinely uncomfortable dark. Bob Hoskins plays Bart, a Glasgow loan shark who treats Danny like a literal pit bull. He keeps him in a basement. He feeds him scraps. Most importantly, he uses a metal collar to control him.
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When the collar is on, Danny is docile. He’s a blank slate. But the second Bart unbuckles that leather strap? Danny becomes a whirlwind of "animalistic" violence.
It’s not the pretty, theatrical Wushu we saw in Hero or Once Upon a Time in China. This is raw. It’s headbutts, biting, and bone-snapping. Legendary choreographer Yuen Woo-ping—the man behind the fights in The Matrix—stripped away the elegance. He wanted Danny to fight like someone who never learned "art," only "survival."
There is a fight in a bathroom that is basically a masterclass in claustrophobic action. It’s small. It’s dirty. It feels dangerous in a way most CGI-heavy blockbusters today just can’t replicate.
A Masterclass in Acting (Yes, Really)
People used to say Jet Li couldn't act in English. Danny the Dog proved them wrong by barely giving him any lines.
He communicates through his eyes. The way he flinches when someone raises a hand, or the way he looks at an ice cream cone like it’s a piece of alien technology. It’s heartbreaking. You forget you’re watching a martial arts superstar.
Then you have Morgan Freeman.
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He plays Sam, a blind piano tuner who stumbles upon Danny after a mob hit goes sideways. It’s a "typical Morgan Freeman role," sure—the wise, calming mentor—but he brings a genuine warmth that the movie desperately needs. Between the scenes of Danny's head being slammed into concrete, we get these quiet moments of him learning to play the piano.
It sounds cheesy. On paper, "killer dog-man learns the power of music" is a disaster. But Luc Besson’s script and Louis Leterrier’s direction make it work. They lean into the "modern-day fairy tale" vibe.
Why the Two Titles Matter
If you’re looking for this movie online, you’ll find it as Unleashed. The US distributors thought Danny the Dog sounded too much like a family comedy about a golden retriever. They wanted to market it as a hardcore action flick.
But calling it Unleashed misses the point.
The film isn't just about the "unleashing" of violence. It’s about the person underneath the dog collar. The European and Asian markets kept the original title, which fits the emotional weight of the story far better.
There are actually two versions of the film floating around:
- The US R-Rated Cut: Focused more on the action beats.
- The Unrated/European Cut: Includes more character development and slightly different takes on the violence.
If you have the choice, watch the unrated version. The pacing feels more natural, and the transition from "killing machine" to "family member" doesn't feel as rushed.
The Glasgow Connection
One of the weirdest things about Danny the Dog is the setting. It’s set in Glasgow, Scotland.
Why? Because it’s grey. It’s rainy. It’s industrial.
The aesthetic is "grunge-chic." It creates this oppressive atmosphere that makes the scenes in Sam’s brightly lit, music-filled apartment feel like a sanctuary. It’s a visual representation of Danny’s mental state. He’s moving from a world of cold concrete into a world of color and sound.
Interestingly, despite the setting, you won't hear many Scottish accents. Most of the thugs are played by European or English actors. It gives the movie a strange, "anywhere and nowhere" feel that adds to its dreamlike (or nightmare-like) quality.
Action with a Soul
What makes this movie stay in your head years after you watch it isn't just the choreography. It’s the stakes.
In most action movies, you want the hero to fight. In Danny the Dog, you’re actually rooting for him not to. Every time he has to put that collar back on or step into an underground fighting pit, it feels like a tragedy. You see the toll the violence takes on his soul.
That’s a rare feat for a martial arts movie.
Usually, the fights are the reward. Here, the peace is the reward. The climax isn't just about beating the bad guy; it’s about Danny choosing his own identity.
Next Steps for Action Fans:
If you haven't seen it in a while, go back and watch the "Apartment Fight" scene. Pay attention to how the camera stays tight on Jet Li’s face. It’s not about the kicks; it’s about the panic. To really appreciate Li's range, pair this with a viewing of Fearless (2006). It marks the end of his "traditional" Wushu era and shows the two different paths his career took after he finally found his voice as a dramatic actor.
Check your streaming services for the "Unrated" version specifically—the extra character beats with Sam and Victoria make the ending hit significantly harder.