Five Elements Ninjas (1982)

When five ninjas whose fighting styles are based on natural elements unleash their fury on a rival school, a lone survivor vows deadly revenge.

Director:

Cheh Chang (as Chang Cheh)

Writers:

Cheh Chang (screenplay), Kuang Ni (screenplay)

Stars:

Tien-Chi Cheng, Tien Hsiang Lung, Meng Lo

Cast

Credited cast:
Tien-Chi Cheng	...	Shao Tien-hao
Tien Hsiang Lung	...	Brother Li
Meng Lo	...	Shi Shang
Michael Wai-Man Chan	...	Chin Tien Chun (as Hui-Min Chen)
Pei Hsi Chen	...	Senji
Li Wang	...	Lien Mu
Ke Chu	...	Chen Chun
Tai-Ping Yu	...	Huang Fa
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Shen Chan
Yung Chan
Kuo Chao	...	Huang Han
Hui-Men Chen	...	Chien Yuan
Hung Chen
Yiu-Sing Cheung	...	(as Yao-Hsing Chang)
Kin Ping Chow

Storyline

A young martial artist seeks revenge on the Ninja who kills his martial arts brothers and teacher. He finds help in the form of a new teacher (who knows Ninjitsu) and new brothers. Together the four pupils face the Five Element Ninja challenge: Wood, Earth, Gold, Water, and Fire.

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Plot Keywords:

ninja | ninjitsu | martial arts | kung fu classic | kung fu | 

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Taglines:

Five complete elements, one surviving ninja, what could possibly go wrong?

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Genres:

Action | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Alternate Versions

The broadcast version of the film edits the scene where the heroes rip the lead villain in half, making it look as if he is still in one piece, as well as an extra scene involving Tien-Hao and Shi Sheng speaking after the master's plan is discussed is deleted.

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Connections

Referenced in Sparrow of Shaolin (2017)

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Soundtracks

Vision of Fear
(uncredited)
Written by Edward Michael
Published by De Wolfe Music Ltd.

User Reviews

one of Chang Cheh's best

There's something about the Chinese take on the ninja that has always captured my attention. I think its the way they take the art of invisibilty a bit further than expected. This film, known as Chinese Super Ninja in the US and is probably one of Chang Cheh's best, performs the above beautifully. The featured element of the 5 element ninja is unique and well done. Each ninja clan has its own unique attack setup (gold-shields that fire spires, wood-ninjas posing as trees and using claws, water-ninja frogmen that pull kungfu fighters to the water where they can be easily killed, fire-smoke screens and fire setting traps, earth-underground spearmen). The first 30 minutes are practically non stop action sequences, with the opening showing a tournament between japanese bushidos and kungfu weapons experts. Then we get to the ninja scenes, which are some of the goriest of kungfu films (the stepped on intestines scene is memorable). After this, however, the films slows down until the end where the main character has to use certain techniques to defeat each element. All and all worthy of any collection. If you havent seen it, go!

Details

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

Mandarin

Release Date:

21 April 1982 (Hong Kong)

Also Known As:

Chinese Super Ninjas

Company Credits

Production Co:

Shaw Brothers

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1