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.
Stunts
Actual aikido practitioners make Glenn look almost competent.
Production
Kyoto locations shot with genuine respect, wasted on this script.
Director
John Frankenheimer
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Scott Glenn spent months training in aikido for this role, only for most fight scenes to use stunt doubles anyway.
This was one of Toshiro Mifune's final major roles before his death, a sad coda for the Seven Samurai legend.
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Reactions from the web
Take a shot every time he says "The Challenge!".
@mordecaialivanallenoshea7532 24
Underrated thriller from John Frankenher
@theman2017inc 12
He sure does say ‘The Challenge’ a lot.
@greensville 6
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