The Karate Kid (1984)

A boy and his mother move to California for a new job. He struggles to fit in, as a group of karate students starts to bully him for dating a rich girl from their clique. It's up to the Japanese landlord, Miyagi, to teach him karate.

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.

---

Plot Keywords:

karate | teenager | fight | paint | training | 

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Action | Drama | Family | Sport

---

Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The idea for The Karate kid film came from producer Jerry Weintraub, who heard a news report in 1983 about a scrawny teen being bullied who became a martial artist.

---

Goofs

Mr. Miyagi's military service may have been valorous, but it wouldn't have included the Medal of Honor. In the mid-1980s, no living Asian-American soldier had been awarded the Medal of Honor. Only one Asian-American soldier received it during WWII. Seventeen others, including Daniel Inouye, longtime US Senator from Hawaii, received it in the 1990s, after the Department of Defense reviewed their Distinguished Service Cross awards.

---

Quotes

[Miyagi shows Daniel an old photo of his pregnant wife]
Miyagi: Daniel-san. Huh? Look, look. Hai, hai. Heh heh heh. First American-born Miyagi waiting to be born.
[Miyagi laughs proudly at the accomplishment as he pours more alcohol from a new bottle into his glass]
Miyagi: [claps Daniel on the shoulder] Drink, drink!
[Miyagi stands up, staggers, faces away from Daniel as if speaking to someone else]
Miyagi: [as commanding officer] "Sergeant Miyagi!"
Miyagi: [as self] Yes, sir! Sergeant Miyagi report to kill many jerry Germans, sir!
[...]

---

Alternate Versions

The UK cinema version was cut by 19 secs by the BBFC and completely removed the scene of Johnny rolling and lighting a reefer for a PG certificate. Later video releases were uncut and the certificate upgraded to 15.

---

Connections

Featured in Cobra Kai: Different but Same (2018)

---

Soundtracks

Back Street Life
(uncredited)
Written by Takeo Abe
Performed by Pat Morita

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:

$91,077,276

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