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Jiaozi
15th April 2001, 20:50
Does anyone know the name of this movie which must have been shot around '79 in which a Caucasian Westerner travels to Japan and becomes involved with a pretty Japanese woman? In order to get accepted by the family he has to endure training in the family's martial art, which includes being buried in the ground to the neck for a day without any food. Are the demonstrations related to any koryu style?

And what about the scenes in one of the early James Bond movies that take place in Japan? The demonstrations looked quite authentic, too.

Mark Brecht
15th April 2001, 21:12
I think you mean the movie "The Challenge", where Glenn Scott has the starring role. Steven Segal was the fight advisor. Hm, I think that was 1982.

As for the Bond movie, as far as I understand Massaki Hatsumi was involved as a technical advisor.

Bujinkat
15th April 2001, 21:52
Originally posted by Mark Brecht
As for the Bond movie, as far as I understand Massaki Hatsumi was involved as a technical advisor.

Actually, the producers asked Hatsumi-sensei to be an advisor, but Hatsumi walked out on them after they kept him waiting for hours for their initial meeting. They also asked him to provide a hundred or so ninja as extras. Hatsumi-sensei told them to hire Judoka and Karateka, as there were only a handful of ninjas around at the time...hehehe.

Yamantaka
15th April 2001, 23:17
Originally posted by Jiaozi

And what about the scenes in one of the early James Bond movies that take place in Japan? The demonstrations looked quite authentic, too.

YAMANTAKA : The late Donn Draeger was technical advisor for the fighting scenes in that movie. I have a photo of him choreographing a weapons scene watched by Sean Connery.
Best

Mike Passow
16th April 2001, 06:17
For more info check out http://www.imdb.com (the Internet Movie Database).

The movie you're thinking of is definitely 1982's the Challenge starring Scott Glenn and Toshiro Mifune - but it has been re-released as other titles, thanks to some marketing genius. :)

___________________________
Challenge, The (1982) ....
... aka Equals (1982)
... aka Sword of the Ninja (1982)
___________________________


from www.imdb.com
Rick, a down-and-out American boxer, is hired to transport a sword to Japan, unaware that the whole thing is a set up in a bitter blood-feud between two brothers, one who follows the traditional path of the samurai and the other a businessman. At the behest of the businessman, Rick undertakes samurai training from the other brother, but joins his cause. He also becomes romantically involved with the samurai's daughter.


Directed by John Frankenheimer
Writing credits: Richard Maxwell and John Sayles


The Challenge
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0083726

Scott Glenn
http://us.imdb.com/Name?Glenn,+Scott

Toshiro Mifune
http://us.imdb.com/Name?Mifune,+Toshir%F4



To everyone reading this that has not seen The Challenge yet... you should!


Yours,
Mike Passow
Black Bear Society Martial Arts
Wausau, WI

Jiaozi
16th April 2001, 18:44
I watched it many years ago and started to think of it recently as I became interested in martial arts again. I remembered that movie as one of the better made ones.
Thanks for your information.

Temujin
27th April 2001, 12:19
Now that brings back memories. I have only seen the movie once, a long time ago and had completly forgotten about it.

Must get down to the local video shop and see if they have a copy.

Blues
27th April 2001, 14:45
Originally posted by Yamantaka


YAMANTAKA : The late Donn Draeger was technical advisor for the fighting scenes in that movie. I have a photo of him choreographing a weapons scene watched by Sean Connery.
Best

I saw this one for the first time a couple of months ago. I remember being pleasantly surprised because the 'ninja' were wearing hakama.

PHILBERT
7th May 2001, 14:27
The Bond movie was You Only Live Twice.