AMERICAN NINJA (1985)

MORGAN'S RATING

An American G.I. in the Philippines suffering from amnesia for the last six years is aloof from everyone in his army suit. He meets a girl, the daughter of the commanding officer, and saves her from a group of Ninjas who are in the service of an illegal arms dealer. He then manages to capture the dealer with help from his first sensei, who ironically is employed by the arms dealer.

Michael Dudikoff (Joe Armstrong), Steve James (Curtis Jackson), Judie Aronson (Patricia Hickock), Guich Koock (Colonel Hickock), Joe Fujioka (Shinyuki), Don Stewart (Ortega), John LaMotta (Rinaldo), Jerry Bailey (Hijacker), Rohy Batliwala (Truck Driver), Phil Brock (Charlie), Tony Carreon (Older Colombian), Steve Cook (Truck Driver), Manolet Escudero (Bodyguard), Jim Gaines (Truck Driver), Joey Galvez (MP Arresting Officer), Zenon Gil (Truck Driver), Michael Hackbart (Bodyguard), Eric Hahn (Supply Sergeant), Christian Hoss (Barrack Soldier), Nick Nicholson (Duty Officer), Richard Norton (MIlitary Policeman), Brian Robillard (Truck Driver), Gregg Rogero (Bodyguard), Berto Spoor (Bodyguard), Roi Vinzon (Younger Colombian), Willie Williams (Barrack Soldier), Tadash Yamashita (Black Star Ninja).

THE ORIENT CREATED THE WORLD'S DEADLIEST ART. NOW, THERE'S AN AMERICAN MASTER!

FACTS

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

RELEASE DATE: August 30th, 1985 (USA) BOX OFFICE OPENING: $8.9 million (USA) BOX OFFICE RESULT: $35.0 million (USA) BUDGET: $1 million (USA) SHOOTING DATES: October 1984 -- December 1984 - Chuck Norris was originally cast to play the title role in the film. - In the movie trailer, the film was originally titled "American Warrior" but was changed to the present title by the time of the films release. - Kurt McKinney auditioned for the title role but was considered to be too young. - Followed by four sequels: American Ninja 2 (1987), American Ninja 3 (1989), American Ninja 4 (1991) and American Ninja 5 (1993).

DIRECTOR: Sam Firstenberg (American Ninja 2). WRITERS: Gideon Amir, Paul De Mielche, Avi Kleinberger and James R. Silke. PRODUCERS: Yoram Globus and Menahem Golan. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Gideon Amir, Avi Kleinberger and Ken Metcalfe. ORIGINAL MUSIC: Michael Linn. DISTRIBUTOR: MGM

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"So this is what happens to support cast of Grease?" -- Clint Morris, Moviehole