American Ninja (1985)

User Rating:

4.7/10   

Director:

Sam Firstenberg

Writers:

Gideon Amir (story)
Paul De Mielche (writer)

Release Date:

30 August 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Sport

Tagline:

The Orient created the world's deadliest art.Now there's an American master!

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Martial Arts | Training | Ninja | Ninja Magic | Punched In The Face

Cast

Michael Dudikoff	...	Pvt. Joe Armstrong
Steve James	...	Cpl. Curtis Jackson
Judie Aronson	...	Patricia Hickock
Guich Koock	...	Col. William T. Hickock
John Fujioka	...	Shinyuki
Don Stewart	...	Victor Ortega
John LaMotta	...	MSgt. Rinaldo (as John La Motta)
Tadashi Yamashita	...	Black Star ninja
Phil Brock	...	Pvt. Charley Madison
Tony Carreon	...	Older Colombian
Roi Vinzon	...	Younger Colombian
Manolet Escudero	...	Bodyguard
Gregg Rogero	...	Bodyguard
Berto Spoor	...	Bodyguard
Michael Hackbart	...	Bodyguard

Also Known As:

American Warrior (USA) (trailer title)

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (TVC)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Singapore:NC-16 | West Germany:18 (original rating) (cut) | Germany:18 (re-release) (uncut) | Australia:M | USA:R (Certificate #27866) | Finland:K-16 | Iceland:14 (original rating) | Netherlands:16 | Norway:18 (video premiere) | UK:18 | Germany:BPjM Restricted

Filming Locations:

Philippines

Company:

Cannon Group

Trivia:

A rare 1984 poster featuring the rock band 'KISS' advertising their then current album "Animalize" can be seen on the wall in Joe's squad's sleeping quarters. Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Eric Carr have their faces hidden by additional stickers to avoid any legalities and Mark St. John's head seems to be cropped off by the camera angle.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Joe whips the hook on a chain through the windshield of the truck to have it turn the steering wheel and cause a crash, the steering wheel visibly jerks right back to a straight position immediately after, yet five seconds later, the truck flips over to the side, and (inexplicably) blows up.

Quotes:

Ortega: You stay here!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Tenchu san (2003) (VG)

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.