Revenge of the Ninja (1983)

Directed by Sam Firstenberg
Written and story by James R. Silke
Based on an idea by Menahem Golan
​Starring: Sho Kusugi, Keith Vitali, Virgil Frye,
Arthur Roberts, Maria Gallo, Grace Oshita,
​and Kane Kosugi

Revenge Of The Ninja is a 1983 Martial Arts/Thriller Directed by Sam Firstenberg who also directed the 1980s Cult Films American Ninja 1985, and Ninja 3 : The Domination 1984. The film was Produced by Yoram Globus and Menahem Golan names very familiar with Cannon Films fans. I personally enjoy many of Cannon’s catalog of films. There are so many good ones to repetitively watch and never get tired of. 

I was first introduced to Revenge Of The Ninja in 1986 already 3 years after its initial release. I was only 9 years old when I first saw this movie I remember the first time I saw the film. It was during the Summer Of 86, I had only recently started practicing ATA Taekwondo as my grandparents wanted me to learn self defense as a way to protect myself from the school yard bullies. At this time the dojo was having a sleepover, and for me the highlight of the night was the treasure trove of VHS martial arts films. 

It was definitely one of those occasions were I forced myself to stay awake till the wee hours of the morning to watch films after all, many of the films they were showing were R rated titles. So I knew the likelihood of me getting to watch them anytime time soon were slim. So in that particular night I remember watching American Ninja 1985, Enter The Ninja 1981, Ninja 3 : The Domination 1984 Pray For Death 1985 and Revenge Of The Ninja 1985. 

I am glad I did as it gave me a high appreciation for Martial Arts films, especially Sho Kosugi ninja films. Sho’s films are my favorite along with Bruce Lee and Sonny Chiba. 

Which brings me to Revenge Of The Ninja.
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The film sets off in Japan with a squad of Ninjas setting up positions around Cho Osaki’s (Sho Kosugi) ancestral home where most of his family is slaughtered by the ninja clan. 

Cho (who is also a Ninja) and his longtime friend and business partner Braden confront and kill all the remaining ninja. with Braden insists that Cho his mother and his last surviving son return with him to the U.S. as it is no longer safe to live in Japan. 

Flash forward a few years and Cho and Braden are now importing dolls from Japan for that are to be put on display and sold at the gallery. Later at the gallery Kane, Cho’s son drops one of the dolls by accident exposing a white substance. 

The substance is actually Heroin as we soon find out that Braden has been smuggling Heroin in the dolls to sell to Caifano, the local Italian mob boss. Braden meets with Caifano in order to collect the balance of the money for the heroin but ends up leaving the meeting with the two threatening each other. 

Soon after we find out that Braden is actually a Black Ninja who wears a metal mask and is beginning to pick off one one by one all of Caifano’s family. Caifano not wanting to deal with Braden any more decides to rip him off and sends some thieves to break in the gallery and take the remaining dolls with the Heroin. Cho arrives and confronts the group of thieves, a brawl ensues and the thieves make a run for it. 

After doing many ninja flips over walls Cho catches up with the thieves and ends up fighting them again inside a moving van and then again on the street, kicking much ass.

Not long after Braden appears and is confronted by Cho’s mother which we find out knows a thing or two herself about wielding traditional Japanese ninja weapons. She is killed by Braden and Kane is kidnapped and held at the Sauna with Cathy, one of Cho’s students at the dojo. 

Once Cho finds his mother murdered and Kane missing he once again finds himself going back to his life as a ninja to seek vengeance. 

Eventually Kane and Cathy escape the sauna. Braden goes to Caifano’s building where he goes up each floor killing all the bodyguards and the rest of the mob including Caifano. 

Unknowingly to Braden, Cho has also arrived at the building in order to settle the score, which culminates in one of the greatest ninja fights battling to the death with a wide assortment of weapons and trickery. 

I personally enjoy this film, and personally think it’s one of the best ninja movies that I have seen. Sho Kosugi’s films have always been very entertaining full of great fight scenes. If you enjoy martial arts films than I definitely recommend Revenge Of The Ninja as it is jammed pack with a great story, awesome fight sequences many unique weapons in the ninjas arsenal along with a bunch of great kills. 

Fun facts,
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Sho Kosugi’s real life sons Shane, and Kane both appear in Revenge Of The Ninja. 

Revenge Of Ninja is the second of the Cannon ninja trilogy. Enter The Ninja 1981 and Ninja 3 : The Domination 1985 are the other 2. 

So if you want to watch a great Ninja flick that in my opinion is one of the best ever made then this is for you!