Revenge of the Ninja (1983)

Director:

Sam Firstenberg

Writer:

James R. Silke (writer)

Release Date:

16 September 1983 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama

Tagline:

400 years of training in the art of sudden death... unleashed on 20th century America.

Plot:

After his family is killed in Japan by ninjas, Cho and his son Kane come to America to start a new life...

Plot Keywords:

Doll | Ninja | Japan | Heroin | Murder Of Family

Cast

Shô Kosugi	...	Cho Osaki
Keith Vitali	...	Dave Hatcher
Virgil Frye	...	Lieutenant Dire
Arthur Roberts	...	Braden
Mario Gallo	...	Chifano
Grace Oshita	...	Grandmother
Ashley Ferrare	...	Cathy
Kane Kosugi	...	Kane Osaki
John LaMotta	...	Joe (as John La Motta)
Mel Hampton	...	Detective Rios
Oscar Rowland	...	One Eyed Informant
Professor Toru Tanaka	...	Sumo Servant (as Prof. Toru Tanaka)
Don Shanks	...	Chief
Joe Pagliuso	...	Alberto
Ladd Anderson	...	Thief #1

Also Known As:

Ninja II
Way of the Ninja (Philippines: English title)

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Finland:(Banned) (1983) (1984) (1988) | Australia:R | France:-12 | Norway:(Banned) (1985-2001) | Norway:18 (re-rating) (2001) | UK:18 (heavily cut) | USA:R | West Germany:18

Filming Locations:

Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Company:

Cannon Films

Trivia:

The final rooftop fight scene between 'Sho Kosugi' and the villain took two weeks to shoot. Director Sam Firstenberg in an interview said this is because there were many effects, pyrotechnics, mechanical rigging, safety considerations, elaborate camera positioning (including hanging 20 stories high outside the building), and helicopter shots.

Goofs:

Continuity: The throwing stars Braden uses to kill the one-eyed informant with change from the time he throws them to the time they hit the guy. When Caifano picks up the body of the one eyed informant, his right eye is bulging out. But after he says "What the shit is this?" his eye is back to normal formation.

Quotes:

Dave Hatcher: Hey man, you're late... But I got a piece of him. Not bad first time out.

Movie Connections:

Follows Enter the Ninja (1981)

A ninja seek's revenge for their family, murdered by another ninja.

Revenge of the Ninja is a masterpiece of the 80's. The story's good, but what I really like are the fighting scenes. This movie remind's me a Sega Genesis cartridge called "Shadow Dancer". Well, if you're looking for a good ninja film, that take's place in USA, I can assure you that this one is the best you'll find. The movie start's in Japan. After finding his family murdered, Cho (the main character performed by Shô Kosugi) went to live in USA with his son and his mother. Invited by an American friend, Cho built a Japanese art gallery. Well, as the movie goes on, Cho discover that he was betrayed and he look's for revenge against his enemy, a ninja just like him.

The only problem, and that's why I'll give 8 in my vote, is that the movie was released in MONO (on the DVD), and we don't have a CD with the Soundtrack available to buy. Also, there were some fighting scenes that could just not be there. Well, if you're looking for a good fighting movie, with some ninjas in it, you should try this. I hope you like it, just like me.