The Karate Kid (1984)

A handyman/martial arts master agrees to teach a bullied boy karate and shows him that there is more to the martial art than fighting.

Director:

John G. Avildsen

Writer:

Robert Mark Kamen

Stars:

Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Elisabeth Shue

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ralph Macchio	...	Daniel Larusso
Pat Morita	...	Mr. Kesuke Miyagi (as Noriyuki 'Pat' Morita)
Elisabeth Shue	...	Ali Mills
Martin Kove	...	John Kreese
Randee Heller	...	Lucille Larusso
William Zabka	...	Johnny Lawrence
Ron Thomas	...	Bobby Brown
Rob Garrison	...	Tommy
Chad McQueen	...	Dutch
Tony O'Dell	...	Jimmy
Israel Juarbe	...	Freddy Fernandez
William Bassett	...	Mr. Mills
Larry B. Scott	...	Jerry
Juli Fields	...	Susan
Dana Andersen	...	Barbara

Storyline

Daniel and his mother move from New Jersey to California. She has a wonderful new job, but Daniel quickly discovers that a dark haired Italian boy with a Jersey accent doesn't fit into the blond surfer crowd. Daniel manages to talk his way out of some fights, but he is finally cornered by several who belong to the same karate school. As Daniel is passing out from the beating he sees Miyagi, the elderly gardener leaps into the fray and save him by outfighting half a dozen teenagers. Miyagi and Daniel soon find out the real motivator behind the boys' violent attitude in the form of their karate teacher. Miyagi promises to teach Daniel karate and arranges a fight at the all-valley tournament some months off. When his training begins, Daniel doesn't understand what he is being shown. Miyagi seems more interested in having Daniel paint fences and wax cars than teaching him Karate.

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Plot Keywords:

karate | bully | master | apartment | fight | 

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Taglines:

He taught him the secret to Karate lies in the mind and heart. Not in the hands.

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Family | Sport

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Japanese

Release Date:

22 June 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Karate Kid

Filming Locations:

5410 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$90,800,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Jerry Weintraub Productions, Delphi Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

126 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The studio wanted to drop the "drunk Miyagi" scene, feeling it slowed the pace down. Director John G. Avildsen argued for it and has felt it was the scene that got Pat Morita nominated for an Oscar.

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Goofs

When Daniel and Ali are talking on the soccer field you see two soccer balls in the background by the cheerleaders. They then cut to a closeup with Daniel and Ali talking. When the camera cuts back to the cheerleaders, the two soccer balls have disappeared with only one of them coming back yet it comes back on the left of the screen.

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Quotes

Johnny Lawrence: [Johnny approaches Daniel at school, and gives him an application for the All-Valley Tournament] Here. You'll need to fill this out and send it in, okay? Just so they'll know where to claim the body.
Daniel: Let me ask you something... We both know you can stomp me, so why rub it in?
Johnny Lawrence: [shrugs] Maybe I like to.
Daniel: Ever stop to ask yourself if maybe HE
[obviously referring to Kreese]
Daniel: might be wrong? At least, about some things?
[Johnny has to turn away and count to ten to keep himself from exploding]

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Connections

Referenced in Fish Story (2009)

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Soundtracks

"YOUNG HEARTS"
Written by Dave Merenda (as David Merenda)
Produced by Dave Merenda (as David Merenda) and Brooks Arthur
Performed by Commuter
Courtesy of Chrysalis Music Group

User Reviews

Wax on...Wax the best movie ever!

This is a classic coming of age story. A story about a boy who has to face his fears, girls, and moving to a new environment. Daniel, who is a big up stater, clashes with the rich people of the Cali high life and learns that not all people are who they seem. The Kobra Cai, as they are called in the film, bully Daniel and Daniel just seems like he has no choice but to take revenge. So he learns the next best thing--KARATE. Even though he has no idea what hes doing. He goes with the flow. Mr. Mayagi teaches him respect, discipline, and anyone can over come their fears. This is one of the best films of the 80's. It even has classic names of the 80's, like Johnny, Daniel, Tommy, and my favorite, Bobby. So if you don't have anything better to do, then check out Karate Kid. You might even learn a thing or two about a thing or two.