The Karate Killers (1967)

U.N.C.L.E. agents Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin battle T.H.R.U.S.H. spies to seize Dr. True's secret chemical formula used in extracting gold from sea water.

Director:

Barry Shear

Writers:

Norman Hudis (screenplay), Boris Ingster (story)

Stars:

Robert Vaughn, David McCallum, Joan Crawford

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Vaughn	...	Napoleon Solo (archive footage)
David McCallum	...	Illya Kuryakin (archive footage)
Joan Crawford	...	Amanda True (archive footage)
Curd Jürgens	...	Carl Von Kesser (archive footage) (as Curt Jurgens)
Herbert Lom	...	Randolph (archive footage)
Telly Savalas	...	Count Valeriano De Fanzini (archive footage)
Terry-Thomas	...	Constable (archive footage)
Leo G. Carroll	...	Alexander Waverly (archive footage)
Kim Darby	...	Sandy True (archive footage)
Diane McBain	...	Contessa Margo De Fanzini (archive footage)
Jill Ireland	...	Imogen Smythe (archive footage)
Danielle De Metz	...	Yvonne (archive footage)
Irene Tsu	...	Reikko (archive footage)
Jim Boles	...	Dr. Simon True (archive footage)
Philip Ahn	...	Sazami Kyushu (archive footage)

Storyline

U.N.C.L.E. agents Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin travel around the globe in an effort to track down a secret formula that was divided into four parts and left by a dying scientist with his four daughters, all of whom live in different countries. Evil THRUSH agent Randolph also wants the formula, and is aided by his karate-chopping henchmen.

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Plot Keywords:

1960s | psychotronic film | hitman | judo throw | judo | 

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Taglines:

A new U.N.C.L.E. thriller !

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Thriller | Action | Adventure

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 April 1967 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Five Daughters Affair

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arena Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was previously seen on NBC@10:00 p.m. (EST), Friday, March 31 and Friday, April 7, 1966 as the 87th & 88th episodes of "Man from U.N.C.L.E., The" (1964), "The Five Daughters Affair" (Parts 1 and 2).

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Goofs

Due to the difference in lighting and film stock, during the fight in the snow (shot on a soundstage) the shadows on the "snow" are a slightly reddish grey/black. In shots taken outside in normal daylight, they are blue/black.

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Connections

References Goldfinger (1964)

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Soundtracks

Come On Down To My Boat
Written by Wes Farrell and Jerry Goldstein (uncredited)
Performed by Every Mother's Son
[Played by the band in the bar]

User Reviews

Borderline Unwatchable

I watched this not knowing anything about it. TCM showed it as part of their Joan Crawford marathon so I went into it blind, hoping to see a Joan movie I hadn't seen before. Well, I did. Sort of. This is apparently a "movie" that is spliced together from episodes of The Man From UNCLE TV show. While I have heard of the show before, I have never watched it. After viewing this, I doubt I ever will. I know the show has its fans and I'm sure the show has its merits that this film does nothing to showcase. But this left such a bitter taste in my mouth I can't imagine I will watch anything related to that show anytime soon...if ever. The thing that's most surprising to me is that this has a fairly big-name cast. Curd Jurgens, Herbert Lom, Kim Darby, Telly Savalas, Terry-Thomas, Leo G. Carroll, Jill Ireland -- not chump change. As for Joan, her part in this is minuscule and an easy contender for the most embarrassing performance of her career. If this is the kind of work she was being offered, no wonder she did Trog. I can't recommend this to anybody. It was not funny or thrilling or anything else that the supposed genre(s) of it would suggest. It was just bad.