Enter the Ninja (1981)

User Rating:

4.4/10   

Director:

Menahem Golan

Writers:

Dick Desmond (screenplay)
Dick Desmond (story)

Release Date:

2 October 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama

Tagline:

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

Plot:

After just completing his training at a ninja school, an army vet (Franco Nero) travels to the Phillippines...

Plot Keywords:

Fight | Ninja | Army Buddy | Extramarital Affair | Friend In Distress

Cast

Franco Nero	...	Cole
Susan George	...	Mary Ann Landers
Shô Kosugi	...	Hasegawa
Christopher George	...	Charles Venarius
Alex Courtney	...	Frank Landers
Will Hare	...	Dollars
Zachi Noy	...	Siegfried 'The Hook' Schultz
Constantine Gregory	...	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)

Also Known As:

Ninja I

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Finland:(Banned) (uncut) (1981) | Finland:K-18 (cut) (1984) | Finland:K-18 (cut) (DVD rating) (2008) | Australia:R | France:-12 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:18 | Norway:18 (video premiere) (1983) | Norway:(Banned) (video) (1984) | Norway:(Banned) (1981-2003) (cinema release) | Germany:BPjM Restricted

Filming Locations:

Manila, Metro Manila, Luzon, Philippines

Company:

City Film (1980s)

Trivia:

Shô Kosugi choreographed all of the battle sequences featured in the film.

Goofs:

Continuity: 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.

Quotes:

Frank Landers: You know Mary Ann there are times when I... when I wake up in the morning and I look at this guy in the mirror and I say "What the hell are you doing with your life frank?" and you know something, son of a bitch never answers me!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Blade II (2002)

Excellent Ninja & fighting scenes!

Filmed on location in Japan & the Phillipines, It starts with our hero ("Cole" played by Franco Nero) passing his final test to becoming a "Ninja". Cole then goes on to Manila to help an old war friend in need. In talking to his friend, he learns that a rich corporation wants his land & they won't take no for an answer. While helping his friend, Cole takes on various thugs hired by the corporation to convince Cole's friend to sell his land. Mr. Venarious (played by Christopher George) then hires Cole's nemesis from his Ninja school days to "take care" of Cole....and the duel between the Ninjas is on! I found this movie excellent to watch....especially the Ninja & Hand to Hand fighting sequences which was wonderfully planned.