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:

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The filming location for the LaRusso apartment in Reseda, the South Seas Apartments at 19223 Saticoy Street, is approximately 1.2 miles from the epicenter of the 1994 Northridge earthquake, which was centered at the cul-de-sac near the intersection of Elkwood St and Baird Ave.

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Goofs

Possible out of order scene. At about 28 minutes in, Daniel jokingly tells Ali and her friends that he rides a "Miyagi Turbo" bike. However, the scene where Daniel fins out that Miyagi fixed his bike follows this one. Also, Miyagi has not introduced himself by name in the movie as of yet. When Daniel first goes to the workshop to thank Miyagi for fixing the bike, it appears that he is not yet sure of Miyagi's name.

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Quotes

Daniel: [throwing his bicycle into a dumpster after being beaten up] This damn bike! I hate this bike. I hate this frickin' bike! Stupid bike.
Lucille Larusso: Daniel! What's the matter? Why did you throw your bike away?
Daniel: Because I felt like it.
Lucille Larusso: Please look at me when I'm talking to you.
[sees Daniel's bruised face]
Lucille Larusso: Oh my god!
Daniel: Mom.
Lucille Larusso: Can you tell me what's going on and don't tell me about another bike accident?
Daniel: What do you want to hear mom?
Lucille Larusso: I want to hear the truth!
[...]

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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 StarTalk: Lance Armstrong (2017)

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Soundtracks

The Ride
Written by Geoffrey & Sam Rose
Produced by Geoffrey Rose, Sam Rose and Richie Wise
Performed by Matches

User Reviews

I miss these movies

I am a kid of the 80's, no doubt about it. This movie meant a lot to me back when I was growing up. I never really took karate and I wasn't really bullied, but it is great to remember a time when profanity wasn't needed for humor, or vulgarity, or shootings or blowing up buildings.

A time when the " good guy " would adhere to the rules and had morals. A time when the " bad guy " had no honor, but would rarely curse...lol. ( Hey, this was a PG movie after all, wasn't it? LOL. ) " Oh, I think nothing of cheating and being mean, because THAT'S what makes the audience dislike me and root for the hero, but I just can't use filthy words. " I miss that.

I love the movie because it takes me back to my childhood and a simpler time. A good guy and a bad guy, with the good guy coming out on top. If the " good guy " curses like a sailor, shoots everyone that gets in his way, and does everything vile imaginable, he's not really that good of a guy, is he?

Yeah, I'm " old school. " So what?

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