MOVIEmeter
SEE RANK
Up 4,337 this week

Enter the Ninja (1981)

 -  Action | Drama  -  2 October 1981 (USA)
4.6
Your rating:
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 -/10 X  
Ratings: 4.6/10 from 1,868 users  
Reviews: 44 user | 35 critic

After just completing his training at a ninja school, an army vet travels to the Phillippines and finds himself battling a land grabber who wants his war-buddy's property. He must also ... See full summary »

Director:

Writers:

(screen story), (screenplay), 1 more credit »
0Check in
0Share...

User Lists

Related lists from IMDb users

a list of 120 images created 26 Jul 2011
 
a list of 17 titles created 25 Mar 2011
 
a list of 150 titles created 15 Sep 2010
 
a list of 111 titles created 19 May 2011
 
a list of 22 titles created 06 Dec 2011
 

Connect with IMDb


Share this Rating

Title: Enter the Ninja (1981)

Enter the Ninja (1981) on IMDb 4.6/10

Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.

Take The Quiz!

Test your knowledge of Enter the Ninja.

Videos

Photos

Edit

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
Mary Ann
...
...
Venarius
...
Frank
Will Hare ...
Dollars
Zachi Noy ...
The Hook
...
Mr. Parker (as Constantin de Goguel)
Dale Ishimoto ...
Komori
Joonee Gamboa ...
Mr. Mesuda
Leo Martinez ...
Pee Wee
Ken Metcalfe ...
Elliot
Subas Herrero ...
Alberto
Alan Amiel ...
Maroon Ninja
Douglas Ivan ...
Maroon Ninja (as Doug Ivan)
Edit

Storyline

After just completing his training at a ninja school, an army vet travels to the Phillippines and finds himself battling a land grabber who wants his war-buddy's property. He must also fight his rival. Written by Michael Pilkington <mjpilkington@hotmail.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

Warriors of a lost martial art! Hired assassins ...human killing machines! See more »

Genres:

Action | Drama

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
Edit

Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

2 October 1981 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Ninja I  »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (uncut) | (edited for TV)

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See  »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Kuji-Kiri were the Ninja's Nine Levels of Power. They were 1. Rin - Strength of mind and body. 2. Kyo - Direction of energy. 3. Toh - Harmony with the universe. 4. Sha - Healing of self and others. 5. Kai - Premonition of danger. 6. Jin - Knowing the thoughts of others. 7. Retsu - Mastery of time and space. 8. Zai - Control of the elements of nature. and 9. Zen - Enlightenment. See more »

Goofs

Over the course of three different scenes, Mary Anne's gag starts off covering her mouth completely, then later is pulled between her teeth, and finally ends up spreading her lips apart but covering her teeth. See more »

Quotes

Dollars: So who are you going to kill next, Mr. Ninja?
Cole: My friend, a ninja doesn't kill. He eliminates and only for defensive purposes.
See more »

Connections

Followed by Revenge of the Ninja (1983) See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
Exit the room
16 April 2010 | by (Doomed Theater of Despair) – See all my reviews

Do you like ninja movies and taking naps? Well have I got a movie for you! Anyone, and I mean anyone, who uses the word "classic" when talking about this movie should be banned from martial arts films for the rest of their lives. Boring, boring, boring! Franco Nero is Cole the only non-Japanese to been trained in the arts of the ninja. When he completes his training and is granted full ninja status (I guess they must serve an apprenticeship) his inclusion is rejected by Hasegawa (Sho Kosugi) who refuses to accept the American as part of their clan. I wouldn't either as the wooden Nero clearly has no martial arts training as every action scene conveniently never shows his face. It's sickening to watch Sho Kosugi play second banana to this empty suit. Cole travels to the Philippines to meet an old Vietnam buddy Frank who REALLY likes cockfights. Frank has become more of a lifeless drunk, at least when he's not cockfighting, which opens an emotional bond between Cole and Frank's bug-eyed wife Mary-Ann. The locals are terrorized by thugs under the control of Charles Venarius who Christopher George takes to cartoon levels of absurdity. When Cole easily dispatches Venarius' men he demands a ninja as if they can be had at any corner store. Turns out Hasegawa has left the clan and has become a mercenary ninja for hire. Slow buildup to the inevitable fight to the death between the former students. Uninspiring action sequences are hampered severely by Nero's lack of fighting ability as well as his complete lack of screen presence. His rigid performance makes Christopher George's so over-the-top that he joins William Beckwith from "Prime Evil" as two of the most campy badguys ever. There a so many movies out there that deliver the true ninja experience better than "Enter the Ninja" that it defies belief that this was even made for the American audience. One of the rare disappointments from the Golan-Globus duo that gave us so many cheesy actioneers in the eighties. Rather take a shuriken to the eye than watch this again.


7 of 7 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

Message Boards

Recent Posts
Did Cole bang his buddy's wife? JackSparrow92
Nero's Voice? hkchris
Region 0 DVD? princepayne
DVD Sighting starwarskid1992
Scandanavian DVD princepayne
Old Man ensignblack
Discuss Enter the Ninja (1981) on the IMDb message boards »

Contribute to This Page

Create a character page for:
?