The Karate Kid (1984)

A martial arts master agrees to teach karate to a bullied teenager.

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
Pat Morita	...	Miyagi (as Noriyuki 'Pat' Morita)
Elisabeth Shue	...	Ali
Martin Kove	...	Kreese
Randee Heller	...	Lucille
William Zabka	...	Johnny
Ron Thomas	...	Bobby
Rob Garrison	...	Tommy
Chad McQueen	...	Dutch
Tony O'Dell	...	Jimmy
Israel Juarbe	...	Freddy
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 | teenager | training | fight | paint | 

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Taglines:

Only the 'Old One' could teach him the secrets of the masters.

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Family | Sport

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kyle Eastwood auditioned for the role of Daniel LaRusso. When he failed to get the part, his father, Clint Eastwood, banned all Coca-Cola products from the sets of his movies. Columbia Studios was owned by Coca-Cola at the time.

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Goofs

A glove appears on Johnny's hand between shots when Daniel is putting the water hose over Johnny's head in the bathroom during the school party.

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Quotes

Miyagi: [on Daniel's birthday, after having already given him a present] Go outside. Something show you.
Daniel: What?
Miyagi: Number two present.
[leads Daniel outside]
Daniel: [walking and talking] Number two present? You don't have to give me anything. You've given me enough already.
[Miyagi keeps walking, silently]
Daniel: No really, I'm serious.
Miyagi: [stops and points to his fleet of antique cars] Choose.
Daniel: [surprised and hesitant] Oh, no...
Miyagi: Hai! Hurt old man feeling.
[...]

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Alternate Versions

NBC edited 6 minutes from this film for its 1987 network television premiere.

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Connections

Referenced in Late Night with Seth Meyers: Bob Costas/Dylan Lauren/Jon Wurster (2016)

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Soundtracks

Cruel Summer
Written by Tony Swain, Steve Jolley, Keren Woodward, Sara Dallin and Siobhan Fahey
Performed by Bananarama
Courtesy of Polygram Special Projects, A division of Polygram Records, Inc.

User Reviews

Best American martial arts movie ever made

This movie will perhaps be remembered as the best martial arts movie ever made. Movies of this genre are usually more concerned with action scenes that the stories tend to be poor and appeal to the audience on a short run. With the exception of Kurosawa's films, the Karate Kid is perhaps one of the best and most popular martial arts movies ever. Ralph Macchio, who is also good in "the Outsiders," does a fine portrayal of the novice, frustrated Daniel Larusso (he was 23 years old when he made this film??). Equally superb is the wise and "cool-as-a-cucumber" Mr. Miyagi, played by Pat Morita. Once again, John G. Avildsen has directed a film that glorifies the fiesty nature of underdogs. This is the "Rocky" movie of the 80's.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Japanese

Release Date:

22 June 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Karate Kid

Filming Locations:

5225 Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,031,753, 24 June 1984

Gross USA:

$91,077,276

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$91,119,319

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Delphi II Productions, Jerry Weintraub Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

126 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1