# Blade

> 1998 film directed by Stephen Norrington

**Wikidata**: [Q3429263](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3429263)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blade_(1998_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/blade

## Summary
Blade is a 1998 action film directed by Stephen Norrington that launched the New Line Cinema franchise based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. The movie blends horror, thriller, and neo-noir elements to tell the story of a half-vampire hunter in the United States. It serves as the inaugural entry in a series that includes the 2002 sequel, *Blade II*.

## Key Facts
- **Release Dates**: The film was released on August 19, 1998, August 21, 1998, and December 3, 1998, with a general 1998 publication year.
- **Director**: Stephen Norrington helmed the production.
- **Production Studio**: New Line Cinema, an American film studio founded in 1967 and headquartered in the United States, produced the film.
- **Source Material**: The film is based on the fictional Marvel Comics character Blade, a property of Marvel Entertainment, an American entertainment company founded in June 1998.
- **Genre Classification**: The film is categorized as an action film, thriller film, horror film, fantasy film, vampire film, and neo-noir.
- **Sequel**: The film was succeeded by *Blade II*, released in 2002 and directed by Guillermo del Toro.
- **Awards**: The film is associated with the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain.
- **Franchise Identity**: It is part of the broader *Blade* franchise, which consists of 10 sitelinks in knowledge databases.
- **Geographic Origin**: The production and setting are rooted in the United States, a country with independence declared on July 4, 1776.
- **Database Metrics**: The entity has a total sitelink count of 49 and is titled "Blade (1998 film)" on Wikipedia.

## FAQs
**What genres does the 1998 film Blade encompass?**
Blade is a multi-genre production that functions simultaneously as an action, horror, thriller, fantasy, and vampire film. It also incorporates stylistic elements of neo-noir, creating a modern form of film noir within its narrative structure.

**Which organizations were involved in the creation and distribution of Blade?**
The film was produced by New Line Cinema, an American studio established in 1967, and is based on intellectual property owned by Marvel Entertainment. Marvel Entertainment, founded in June 1998, is the American entertainment company responsible for the original comic character.

**How does Blade relate to other films in its franchise?**
Blade serves as the first installment in the New Line Cinema franchise, directly preceding the 2002 sequel titled *Blade II*. While Norrington directed the original, the sequel was directed by Guillermo del Toro.

**What recognition has the film received?**
The film is linked to the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain, an accolade presented in the United States. This recognition highlights the impact of the film's antagonists within the broader context of pop culture awards.

## Why It Matters
Blade holds significant historical importance as a pioneering work that successfully bridged the gap between comic book source material and mainstream cinema in the late 1990s. By combining the horror and vampire genres with action and neo-noir aesthetics, it established a template for future superhero films that relied on darker, more mature tones rather than traditional family-friendly narratives. The film's success validated the commercial viability of Marvel Comics properties before the company's later explosion into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, proving that niche comic characters could anchor major studio franchises. Its influence is further cemented by its role in launching a multi-film series, demonstrating the potential for serialized storytelling in the superhero genre.

## Notable For
- Being the first film in the *Blade* franchise, which has generated 10 distinct knowledge database entries.
- Successfully integrating the vampire film genre with action and neo-noir elements in a major studio production.
- Serving as the debut feature for Stephen Norrington as a director of a major franchise film.
- Preceding the 2002 release of *Blade II*, directed by Guillermo del Toro, establishing a two-film continuity.
- Achieving recognition through the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain category.
- Utilizing the Marvel Entertainment brand during its inception year of 1998.
- Operating under the New Line Cinema studio, a major American film entity founded in 1967.

## Body

### Production and Release Details
Blade was released in 1998, with specific publication dates recorded as August 19, August 21, and December 3 of that year. The film was directed by Stephen Norrington and produced by New Line Cinema. New Line Cinema is an American film studio that was founded on January 1, 1967, with its headquarters located in the United States. The studio operates within the film industry and is a key entity in the production of the movie. The film's release marked a significant moment for the studio, leveraging the newly formed Marvel Entertainment company, which was established in June 1998.

### Genre and Stylistic Elements
The film defies simple categorization by spanning multiple genres simultaneously. It is classified as an action film, a thriller film, and a horror film, utilizing the suspense and excitement typical of thrillers. Additionally, it falls under the fantasy and vampire film genres, focusing on supernatural elements. The movie also adopts the characteristics of neo-noir, representing a modern form of film noir. This combination of genres allowed the film to appeal to a broad audience while maintaining a distinct, dark aesthetic. The United States serves as the primary country of origin for this genre-blending production.

### Franchise and Sequel Connection
Blade acts as the foundational entry for the *Blade* franchise, a series based on the fictional Marvel Comics character of the same name. The franchise has grown to include multiple entries, with the immediate successor being *Blade II*. Released in 2002, *Blade II* was directed by Guillermo del Toro, continuing the story established by Norrington. The relationship between the two films is defined by the "Preceded/Succeeded by" connection, where the 1998 film sets the stage for the 2002 installment. The entire franchise is associated with New Line Cinema and the Marvel Comics universe.

### Corporate and Organizational Context
The production involves a network of significant organizations. New Line Cinema, the American film studio, handled the production and distribution. The intellectual property rights belong to Marvel Entertainment, an American entertainment company that was founded in June 1998. Marvel Entertainment, headquartered in New York City, employs approximately 500 people and operates in the entertainment industry. The film's existence is tied to the inception of Marvel Entertainment, highlighting the timing of the company's formation relative to the film's release. The United States is the country where both the studio and the entertainment company are based, with the nation's independence declared on July 4, 1776.

### Awards and Recognition
The film has garnered specific recognition within the entertainment industry. It is associated with the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain, an award presented in the United States. This award highlights the film's impact on pop culture and the memorable nature of its antagonists. The connection to this award underscores the film's success in creating iconic characters that resonated with audiences and critics alike. The award is part of a larger set of 16 sitelinks related to the MTV Movie Award category.

### Database and Metadata Information
In terms of digital knowledge representation, the entity "Blade (1998 film)" has a sitelink count of 49. The Wikipedia title for the entity is "Blade (1998 film)". The Wikidata description explicitly states it is a "1998 film directed by Stephen Norrington." The film is linked to 10 sitelinks within the *Blade* franchise category. It is also connected to 235 sitelinks under the general "film" class, 70 for "action film," 39 for "thriller film," 79 for "horror film," 48 for "fantasy film," 10 for "vampire film," 40 for "neo-noir," and 50 for "science fiction film." These metrics reflect the film's extensive categorization and its relevance across various knowledge domains.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120611/)
2. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/es/film633995.html)
3. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/blade-wieczny-lowca)
4. [Source](http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/blade-film)
5. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=19259.html)
6. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/blade-ii)
7. [Source](https://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film633995.html)
8. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/blade)
9. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120611/fullcredits)
10. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
11. The Movie Database
12. Blade. Rotten Tomatoes
13. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120611/releaseinfo/)
14. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120611/releaseinfo)
15. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
16. [Box Office Mojo](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0120611/)
17. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/blade/)
18. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
19. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
20. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/95663)
21. Cineplex
22. Bechdel Test Movie List
23. mymovies.it
24. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/8801-9A2A-7F27-8E50-364F-N)
25. Danish Film Database
26. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/88791)
27. TheTVDB
28. Trakt.tv
29. FilmVandaag.nl