# Léon: The Professional

> 1994 film by Luc Besson

**Wikidata**: [Q484675](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q484675)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Léon:_The_Professional)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/leon-the-professional

Here is the structured, LLM-friendly knowledge entry for *Léon: The Professional*:

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## Summary
*Léon: The Professional* is a 1994 action film directed by Luc Besson, starring Jean Reno as a professional hitman named Léon. The film is known for its stylish cinematography, nonlinear narrative, and iconic soundtrack, making it a landmark in action cinema. It was produced by EuropaCorp, the film production company founded by Besson, and features notable performances by Danny Aiello and Natalie Portman in supporting roles.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: November 18, 1994 (France), January 19, 1995 (United States).
- **Director**: Luc Besson.
- **Production Company**: EuropaCorp (founded by Luc Besson in 2000).
- **Starring**: Jean Reno (Léon), Gary Oldman (Norman Stansfield), Danny Aiello (Tony), Natalie Portman (Mathilda).
- **Genre**: Action, crime, thriller.
- **Runtime**: 110 minutes.
- **Budget**: $16 million (estimated).
- **Box Office**: $45.2 million (worldwide).
- **Country of Origin**: France, United States.
- **Language**: French, English.
- **Awards**: Nominated for the César Award for Best Film.
- **Notable Sequels**: None; stands as a standalone film.
- **Distinctive Feature**: Nonlinear storytelling and use of the *Lacrimosa* theme from Mozart’s *Requiem*.
- **Wikidata ID**: Q1485 (instance of film).
- **IMDb ID**: tt0110413.
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score**: 74%.
- **Metacritic Score**: 64/100.
- **AllMovie Score**: 8.5/10.
- **Sitelink Count**: 72 (Wikipedia language editions).

## FAQs
**Who directed *Léon: The Professional* and what is its genre?**
The film was directed by Luc Besson and falls under the genres of action, crime, and thriller. It is known for its stylish cinematography and nonlinear narrative structure.

**What is the significance of the *Lacrimosa* theme in the film?**
The *Lacrimosa* theme from Mozart’s *Requiem* is used as the film’s iconic soundtrack, symbolizing Léon’s emotional journey and the film’s themes of redemption and violence.

**Who are the main actors in *Léon: The Professional*?**
The film stars Jean Reno as the hitman Léon, Gary Oldman as Norman Stansfield, Danny Aiello as Tony, and Natalie Portman as Mathilda. Each character plays a crucial role in the story.

**What production company produced *Léon: The Professional*?**
The film was produced by EuropaCorp, the French film production company founded by Luc Besson in 2000. EuropaCorp is headquartered in Saint-Denis and La Plaine Saint-Denis.

**How was *Léon: The Professional* received critically and commercially?**
The film was nominated for the César Award for Best Film and earned a Rotten Tomatoes score of 74%, a Metacritic score of 64/100, and an AllMovie score of 8.5/10. It grossed $45.2 million worldwide against a $16 million budget.

## Why It Matters
*Léon: The Professional* is a landmark film in action cinema, celebrated for its innovative storytelling, stylish direction, and cultural impact. Directed by Luc Besson, the film blends crime, drama, and philosophical themes, exploring the nature of violence and redemption. Its nonlinear narrative and use of classical music set a new standard for action films. The character of Léon, portrayed by Jean Reno, became an iconic figure in cinema, symbolizing the complex morality of hitmen. The film’s success paved the way for similar stylish action films and solidified Besson’s reputation as a visionary filmmaker. Its influence extends beyond entertainment, inspiring discussions on storytelling, music, and the ethics of violence in media.

## Notable For
- **César Award Nomination**: Nominated for Best Film at the French film awards.
- **Iconic Soundtrack**: Use of the *Lacrimosa* theme from Mozart’s *Requiem*.
- **Nonlinear Narrative**: Pioneered a storytelling approach that influenced later action films.
- **Jean Reno’s Performance**: Earned critical acclaim for his portrayal of the morally ambiguous hitman.
- **EuropaCorp Production**: Produced by the French film company founded by Luc Besson.
- **Cultural Impact**: Inspired discussions on violence, redemption, and the ethics of storytelling.
- **Box Office Success**: Grossed $45.2 million worldwide against a $16 million budget.
- **Distinctive Cinematography**: Known for its stylish and visually striking direction.
- **Supporting Cast**: Featured notable performances by Gary Oldman, Danny Aiello, and Natalie Portman.
- **Standalone Film**: Established as a self-contained story without sequels.

## Body

### Core Details and Production
*Léon: The Professional* is a 1994 action film directed by Luc Besson and produced by EuropaCorp, the French film production company founded by Besson in 2000. The film was released on November 18, 1994, in France and on January 19, 1995, in the United States. It features a runtime of 110 minutes and was shot in both French and English, reflecting its international production and distribution.

### Cast and Characters
The film stars Jean Reno as the titular character, Léon, a professional hitman with a unique moral code. Supporting roles are played by Gary Oldman as Norman Stansfield, a DEA agent who becomes entangled with Léon; Danny Aiello as Tony, a fellow hitman; and Natalie Portman as Mathilda, a young girl whose life is intertwined with the story. Each actor’s performance contributed to the film’s complex narrative and emotional depth.

### Genre and Style
*Léon: The Professional* falls under the genres of action, crime, and thriller. It is distinguished by its nonlinear storytelling, which departs from traditional chronological narratives. The film’s stylish direction and use of classical music, particularly the *Lacrimosa* theme from Mozart’s *Requiem*, set it apart from other action films of its time.

### Awards and Recognition
The film was nominated for the César Award for Best Film, a prestigious French film award. It also earned critical acclaim for its innovative storytelling and performances. The film’s success was further recognized by its scores on Rotten Tomatoes (74%), Metacritic (64/100), and AllMovie (8.5/10).

### Cultural Impact
*Léon: The Professional* has had a significant cultural impact, influencing action cinema and discussions on storytelling. Its nonlinear narrative and use of classical music have been studied and emulated by filmmakers. The character of Léon, portrayed by Jean Reno, has become an iconic figure in cinema, symbolizing the complex morality of hitmen. The film’s success paved the way for similar stylish action films and solidified Besson’s reputation as a visionary filmmaker.

### Related Entities
- **Luc Besson**: French filmmaker who directed the film and founded EuropaCorp.
- **Jean Reno**: Actor who portrayed the titular character, Léon.
- **Gary Oldman**: Actor who played Norman Stansfield, a DEA agent.
- **Danny Aiello**: Actor who portrayed Tony, a fellow hitman.
- **Natalie Portman**: Actress who played Mathilda, a young girl central to the plot.
- **EuropaCorp**: French film production company that produced the film.

### Technical and Structural Features
The film’s technical aspects include a runtime of 110 minutes, a budget of $16 million, and a worldwide box office gross of $45.2 million. It was shot in both French and English, reflecting its international production and distribution. The film’s nonlinear narrative and use of classical music are key to its distinctive style.

### Legacy and Influence
*Léon: The Professional* remains a significant film in action cinema, influencing later works with its innovative storytelling and stylish direction. Its use of classical music and nonlinear narrative has been studied and emulated by filmmakers. The character of Léon, portrayed by Jean Reno, has become an iconic figure in cinema, symbolizing the complex morality of hitmen. The film’s success paved the way for similar stylish action films and solidified Besson’s reputation as a visionary filmmaker.

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## References

1. IMDb
2. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
3. The Movie Database
4. The Professional. Rotten Tomatoes
5. Unifrance
6. BFI Film & TV Database
7. [Source](http://www.zelluloid.de/filme/index.php3?id=1329)
8. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110413/releaseinfo)
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110413/locations)
11. [Source](http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/1994/0PROF.php)
12. Box Office Mojo
13. [Box Office Mojo](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0110413/)
14. Entertainment Identifier Registry
15. [Source](http://www.kijkwijzer.nl/index.php?id=26&i=241077)
16. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/leon/)
17. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/leon-sbs-versie/)
18. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
19. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
20. [Source](https://www.eirin.jp/list/index.php?s_year=2014&s_month=2&e_year=2014&e_month=2&pageID=2)
21. film distribution certificate
22. Bechdel Test Movie List
23. Léon: The Professional
24. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/F878-7DB0-77C4-8125-C63B-L)
25. TheTVDB
26. Trakt.tv
27. FilmVandaag.nl