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American Warrior

Original title: American Ninja
  • 19851985
  • RR
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
5.4/10
15K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,624
1,830
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Michael Dudikoff and Tadashi Yamashita in American Ninja (1985)
Watch {VideoTitle}
Play trailer1:38
1 Video
96 Photos
  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Romance

American soldier, obviously very skilled in martial arts, single-handedly takes on mercenaries in the Philippines.American soldier, obviously very skilled in martial arts, single-handedly takes on mercenaries in the Philippines.American soldier, obviously very skilled in martial arts, single-handedly takes on mercenaries in the Philippines.

IMDb RATING
5.4/10
15K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,624
1,830
  • Director
    • Sam Firstenberg
  • Writers
    • Paul De Mielche(screenplay by)
    • Avi Kleinberger(story by)
    • Gideon Amir(story by)
  • Stars
    • Michael Dudikoff
    • Steve James
    • Judie Aronson
Top credits
  • Director
    • Sam Firstenberg
  • Writers
    • Paul De Mielche(screenplay by)
    • Avi Kleinberger(story by)
    • Gideon Amir(story by)
  • Stars
    • Michael Dudikoff
    • Steve James
    • Judie Aronson
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 104User reviews
    • 77Critic reviews
    • 20Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:38
    Official Trailer

    Photos96

    Michael Dudikoff and Tadashi Yamashita in American Ninja (1985)
    Michael Dudikoff in American Ninja (1985)
    Michael Dudikoff in American Ninja (1985)
    Michael Dudikoff in American Ninja (1985)
    Michael Dudikoff and Tadashi Yamashita in American Ninja (1985)
    Michael Dudikoff and John Fujioka in American Ninja (1985)
    Michael Dudikoff and Tadashi Yamashita in American Ninja (1985)
    Michael Dudikoff and Tadashi Yamashita in American Ninja (1985)
    Michael Dudikoff in American Ninja (1985)
    Michael Dudikoff and Tadashi Yamashita in American Ninja (1985)
    Michael Dudikoff in American Ninja (1985)
    American Ninja (1985)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Michael Dudikoff
    Michael Dudikoff
    • Joeas Joe
    Steve James
    Steve James
    • Jacksonas Jackson
    Judie Aronson
    Judie Aronson
    • Patriciaas Patricia
    Guich Koock
    • Hickockas Hickock
    John Fujioka
    John Fujioka
    • Shinyukias Shinyuki
    Don Stewart
    Don Stewart
    • Ortegaas Ortega
    John LaMotta
    • Rinaldoas Rinaldo
    • (as John La Motta)
    Tadashi Yamashita
    Tadashi Yamashita
    • Black Star Ninjaas Black Star Ninja
    Phillip Brock
    Phillip Brock
    • Charleyas Charley
    • (as Phil Brock)
    Tony Carreon
    • Older Colombianas Older Colombian
    Roi Vinzon
    Roi Vinzon
    • Younger Colombianas Younger Colombian
    Manolet Escudero
    • Bodyguardas Bodyguard
    Greg Rocero
    • Bodyguardas Bodyguard
    • (as Gregg Rocero)
    Berto Spoor
    • Bodyguardas Bodyguard
    Michael Hackbart
    • Bodyguardas Bodyguard
    Jerry Bailey
    • Head Hijackeras Head Hijacker
    Rohy Batliwala
    • Truck Driveras Truck Driver
    Jim Gaines
    • Truck Driveras Truck Driver
    • (as James Gaines)
    • Director
      • Sam Firstenberg
    • Writers
      • Paul De Mielche(screenplay by)
      • Avi Kleinberger(story by)
      • Gideon Amir(story by)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    5.2
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    Storyline

    Edit
    Joe Armstrong, an orphaned drifter will little respect for much other than martial arts, finds himself on an American Army base in The Philippines after a judge gives him a choice of enlistment or prison. On one of his first missions driving a convoy, his platoon is attacked by a group of rebels who try to steal the weapons the platoon is transporting and kidnap Patricia, the base colonel's daughter, who happens to be along for the ride. Joe rescues Patricia and gets her safely back to the base, but everyone else in the platoon is killed, leading his superiors to conclude that Joe is guilty of cowardice, collaboration or simple incompetence. At the same time, the rebel leader vows revenge against the serviceman who disrupted his plans, and sends an army of ninjas to assassinate him and bring back Patricia. If he wants to survive and save the girl, Joe's going to have to draw on every last ounce of his training. —Jean-Marc Rocher <rocher@fiberbit.net>
    • ninja
    • murder
    • one man army
    • swordsman
    • action hero
    • 252 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The Orient created the world's deadliest art. Now there's an American master!
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Adventure
      • Romance
    • Certificate
      • R
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In an interview with German media in 2012, Michael Dudikoff revealed that he sweated so much during the later fight scenes because he had malaria.
    • Goofs
      After Joe jumps Jackson's bike over the wall to the American base, the stuntman, who is not wearing a helmet, smashing his face into the bike's windshield.
    • Quotes

      Shinyuki: You are ready, my son. I will be with you indeed and in my heart. Follow the Bushido.

      Joe: I will honor the code, father.

    • Alternate versions
      All previous cuts were waived for the UK DVD release which is uncut.
    • Connections
      Featured in Movie Nights: American Ninja (2011)

    User reviews104

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Sure it's not Lucas or Kubrick it's b action movie take for what it is!
    Amercian Ninja is a gulity pleasure if anything. The film has some decent fight scenes and some good B movie acting. Mike Dudkoff and Steve James are some smooth pimps in the movie bringing it to the man as only they can. If you like 80's karate movies then check this out.
    helpful•25
    5
    • DunnDeeDaGreat
    • Mar 13, 2003

    FAQ1

    • What are the differences between the BBFC-18 VHS and the uncut version?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 30, 1985 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Philippines
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • American Ninja
    • Filming locations
      • Philippines
    • Production companies
      • The Cannon Group
      • Golan-Globus Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $10,499,694
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,234,837
      • Sep 2, 1985
    • Gross worldwide
      • $10,499,694
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

    The Cannon Film Guide Vol. II: 1985-1987 Blasts into Bookstores in May – More About the Legendary B-Movie Studio
    The Cannon Film Guide Vol. II: 1985-1987 Blasts into Bookstores in May – More About the Legendary B-Movie Studio
    May 6WeAreMovieGeeks.com
    Video Exclusive: Daniel Gil Reveals How Faith Helps Him To Be An ‘American Ninja Warrior’ Champion
    Video Exclusive: Daniel Gil Reveals How Faith Helps Him To Be An ‘American Ninja Warrior’ Champion
    Jun 19Uinterview

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