The Master 

An aging American ninja master and his headstrong young apprentice search for the elder man's daughter.

Creator:

Michael Sloan

Stars:

Lee Van Cleef, Timothy Van Patten, Shô Kosugi

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Lee Van Cleef	...	John Peter McAllister / ... 13 episodes, 1984
Timothy Van Patten	...	Max Keller 13 episodes, 1984
Shô Kosugi	...	Okasa 13 episodes, 1984

Storyline

John Peter Macallister was a Korean veteran who, after serving, decided to live in Japan, and, while there, he studied Ninjitsu and became a Ninja. Thirty years later, he learned that he has a daughter, so left to find her. Apparently, though, he can't leave the sect that he is with, because it means that he is now marked for death. He manages to escape, and, upon arriving in the States, he meets Max Keller, a drifter who has a penchant for getting involved with other people's problems and helping them out if he can. Max and Macallister hook up, with Max helping Macallister find his daughter, and Macallister teaching him the ways of the ninja. At the same time, evading Okasa, one of Macallister's students, who is now sworn to kill him.

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Plot Keywords:

ninja | ninjitsu | cult tv | chop socky | television flop | 

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Taglines:

The Master Is Here! He's the supreme warrior. Even his eyes can kill you. His student is the supreme heartthrob. His eyes can melt you

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Action

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Lee Van Cleef who plays "The Master" was also in The Octagon starring Chuck Norris, which also featured a rogue Ninja played by Tadashi Yamashita as it's main villain.

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Goofs

When Okasa throws a shuriken to the Master, a guard is clearly standing behind him with a gun pointed at him. After the shot of Okasa ducking away, we cut back to the Master but the guard is no longer there.

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Quotes

Max Keller: Hi, I'm Max Keller.

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Alternate Versions

2 episodes of the series were combined into a feature-length video release titled "Master Ninja I". An additional feature-length video combining two episodes was released under the title "Master Ninja II".

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Being from Another Planet (1992)

User Reviews

Formulaic but watchable

Ah the early 1980's......how I miss them! The era embodied a sort of innocence which dissipated towards the end of the decade and has sadly yet to return. Who can forget the fads of the time; In music we 'bopped' along to the sounds of New Romantics, pioneering synth pop acts and additionally were blessed with a wonderful array of 'big hair' heavy metal bands. On TV we enjoyed such classics as Knight Rider, Airwolf and the incomparable, The A-Team and in cinemas we were treated to probably the best decade for horror and action movies......yes, the eighties....ah, they were the days.

There was actually another craze that swept the western world during the early part of the decade also; What was it you may ask? Why it was Ninja Mania! We just couldn't get enough of these enigmatic stealth assassins in fact. The public obsession first began proper when the Cannon Film Group released the Sho Kosugi outing, Enter the Ninja in 1984. Kosugi himself went on to a semblance of super stardom literally overnight - this despite the fact that he was actually playing the films main villain! Such was the mystique and allure that these historical figures exuded on screen. Needless to say, more ninja flicks were swiftly put into production by a plethora of film companies, each trying to out do the last and cash in on the publics apparent insatiable fixation on all things connected to the ninja. It was inevitable of course that these seemingly semi-mystical beings would break out into other entertainment mediums also. This they did in the form of numerous comic books, novels, toys, games and in the instance reviewed here, a television series starring veteran actor, Lee Van Cleef and as it happens, the by this time living legend, Sho Kosugi.

The plot concerned Cleef's character returning from Japan where he had spent years studying the ninja arts, in order to find his estranged daughter. Also along for the ride was the token wise cracking side kick (as was a somewhat unfortunate trend of the eighties....) who becomes Cleef's new student. Unfortunately, our veteran ninja is also being hotly pursued by a fellow ninja from his clan (Kosugi) who is incessantly intent on sending him to the great beyond.

Despite ninja mania in full swing at the time, the show curiously lasted for only one season before disappearing as quickly as......um.......well, a ninja in fact.

Whilst mildly enjoyable in its own right, it has to be said that the series was unfortunately hampered by its incredibly formulaic treatment. As with the vast majority of eighties TV shows, the plot was never more ambitious than to set our heroes (who just like in every other eighties show), travelling around from place to place helping out those in trouble (invariably a sexy, feisty female) from evil property developers and the like. Every now and then to spice things up, Kosugi puts in an appearance and it's no coincidence that these episodes are the best of the series which sans his presence is somewhat pedestrian at best.

For a bit of nostalgia or else those still desperate for a fix of anything ninja related the series is probably worth a look as long as you don't set your expectations too high.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 January 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Master Ninja

Company Credits

Production Co:

Michael Sloan Productions, Viacom Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (13 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1