The Challenge | Blu-ray (Kino)
Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray for The Challenge (aka Sword of the Ninja), a 1982 actioner directed by John Frankenheimer (The Manchurian Candidate, Ronin) and written by John Sayles (Eight Men Out).
This swashbuckling cult-classic stars Scott Glenn (Urban Cowboy) as a down-and-out American boxer who becomes involved in a feud between two Japanese brothers.
The Challenge also stars Toshiro Mifune (Incident at Blood Pass), Donna Kei Benz (Pray for Death), Atsuo Nakamura (47 Ronin), Calvin Jung (RoboCop), Clyde Kusatsu (Midway) and Sab Shimono (The Shadow).
The film is also noted for being Steven Seagal’s (Exit Wounds) first film gig, where he serves as martial arts coordinator.
Order today from Amazon.com!
Here’s a longer trailer, if you want it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCGwD3Egrmk
Scott Glenn played Mariel Hemingway’s coach in the 1982 feature film “Personal Best.” I can’t say I didn’t think Mr. Glenn’s character in that movie was a jerk.
Seems like the early 80s had somewhat of a resurgence of the samurai film (Shogun, Shogun Assassin, etc.)
Does this release include any special features on it?
Bob… this disc is bare bones. No features.
Thanks Brother. In that case I think I’ll stick with the German copy I picked up last year.