What the strangemartial artsmoviesof the 1980s lack in quality, they make up for in entertainment value. The ’80s were a decade that produced some of the oddest films across various genres, including martial arts. These films —some intentionally funny and others only laughable due to their missteps— contain the energetic pacing and stunning displays of martial arts choreography that audiences expect from such movies.
However, they also featurebizarre characters, plot twists, and amalgamations of genres that don’t always come together neatly in the end. While martial arts movies likeGymkataandThe Dagger of Kamuihaven’t garnered a positive response from critics, they sure do keep audiences entertained. Though few of the strangest martial arts movies of the 1980s would be considered “good” movies, there is still something about each of them that is enjoyable for audiences willing to give them a chance.
109 Deaths Of The Ninja (1985)
Directed by Emmett Alston
Martial artist and actor Sho Kosugi has played a crucial role in the popularization of ninjas in film and TV shows. Kosugi has led numerous ninja movies throughout his career, including the odd9 Deaths of the Ninja. In the film, Kosugi teams up with other anti-terrorist agents to track down a school bus in the Philippines containing American passengers that are held hostage.
9 Deaths of the Ninja
Cast
9 Deaths of the Ninja follows a trio of elite soldiers who are deployed to thwart a group of drug traffickers that have hijacked a tourist bus in the Philippines. The traffickers demand the release of an imprisoned associate and the cessation of governmental anti-drug measures.
Inspired by the action thrillers that came before it, most notably those in the likes ofJames Bondmovies,9 Deaths of the Ninjais a fun parody, regardless of whether that was the filmmakers' intention. With Kosugi as the star, the martial arts film takes full advantage of the ninja craze at the time, and while it’s easy to scoff at the absurdity unfolding on screen, those who can give in to the silliness of the film are guaranteed to have a good time.
9Drunken Wu-Tang (1984)
Directed by Yuen Cheung-yan
The Yuen Brothers are a notable group of Hong Kong actors, filmmakers, and fight choreographers who have worked on numerous films together. The strangest movie in the brothers' collective filmography might just beDrunken Wu-Tang, also known asTaoism Drunkard.
From bold and humorous characters to one-of-a-kind monsters, and campy wire work used to pull off its dynamic fight scenes, few other martial arts comedies compare to this one.
The film revolves around a man who attempts to make amends with his temple’s ancestors by finding a virgin born on a particular date in preparation for an upcoming ceremony.Drunken Wu-Tangis all over the place and isbest enjoyed when audiences don’t put much pressureon the intelligibility of the plot.
Taoism Drunkard
Taoism Drunkard is a 1984 Hong Kong action-comedy film featuring a Taoist priest on a quest to locate a Cherry Boy to satisfy his temple’s ancestors. The narrative follows a young man, living with his grandmother, as he defends a sacred writ from a menacing adversary.
It’s the sort of cartoonish moviethat strings together the most outlandish of ideas and packs them tightly into its 90-minute runtime. From bold and humorous characters to one-of-a-kind monsters, and campy wire work used to pull off its dynamic fight scenes, few other martial arts comedies compare to this one.
8Ghost Warrior (1984)
Directed by J. Larry Carroll
The tone ofGhost Warrioris quite undecided for most of its 80-minute runtime, but it’s an enjoyable martial arts flick that audiences will be entertained by nonetheless. The film revolves aroundan ancient samurai (Hiroshi Fujioka) who has been frozen for hundreds of years. One day, the samurai is discovered by a group of scientists. He’s thawed and eventually shipped to Los Angeles, where he must adapt to modern times while avoiding those who wish to harm him.
Ghost Warriorcontains an appreciable amount of violence that helps keep the momentum of the film up, though moments where the movie tends to drag are still filled with laughable scenarios and an engaging protagonist in Fujioka.Fujioka is fully convincing throughout the film, and grabs hold of the audience’s attention through his character’s state of disarray and suffering.
7The Dagger Of Kamui (1985)
Directed by Rintaro
The Dagger of Kamuiis based on the Japanese novel series of the same name, which were released in the mid-’80s and centers on the young Jirō. Voiced by Hiroyuki Sanada in the film adaptation, Jirō is tasked with killing a man at a young age before he is allowed to train to become a master assassin.
Many years later, Jirō makes a shocking discovery about his childhood and the man he killed, leading him to set out on a risky path of revenge. To its detriment,The Dagger of Kamuipacks a lot of the source material into its two-hour runtime, causing audiences to feel overwhelmed and, ultimately, unenthusiastic at times. Still,its bizarre visuals, stunning animation, and exploration of deep themes such as familial trauma can be appreciatedby audiences.
6Ninja III: The Domination (1984)
Directed by Sam Firstenberg
The third installment in theNinjaanthology series,Ninja III: The Domination, has earned a similar reputation as its predecessors, receiving mixed critical reviews but gaining a cult following in the decades since its release. The film followsaerobics instructor Christie Ryder (Lucinda Dickey) after she is possessed by the spirit of an evil ninja.
As bizarre asNinja IIIsounds so far, it only gets weirder to the delight of audiences. In an attempt to free the spirit within her, Christie teams up with another ninja —a brooding Sho Kosugi wearing an eyepatch— who’s hunting the evil ninja warrior that possessed her.
In terms of its aesthetic, soundtrack, and the inclusion of aerobics,Ninja III: The Dominationis considerably more representative of the ’80s than the other bizarre martial arts films mentioned. The strong ’80s influence throughout the film makes for a fun contrast with its slick martial arts violence.
5The Last Dragon (1985)
Directed by Michael Schultz
Accompanied by a funky soul soundtrack that’s sonically representative of the decade’s biggest hits,The Last Dragonis part action film, part comedy, part musical, and a lot of fun. The film revolves around aspiring martial artist Leroy Green (Taimak), who is on his way to becoming one of the greats like his idol Bruce Lee. The only person standing in his way is Julius Carry’s Sho’nuff, who is determined to be the true master of martial arts.
The Last Dragon’s bizarre blend of martial artsfight choreography and pop culture references wasn’t initially received well by critics, but the film has since earned a cult classic status. Such a warm embrace by martial arts fans can be attributed to the film’s accomplished fight scenes and compelling characters, whose personalities are infectious and whose journeys are easy to get invested in.
4Gymkata (1985)
Directed by Robert Clouse
Kurt Thomas is best known for being a former American Olympic gymnast, but he also had a leading role in the infamous martial arts filmGymkata. Earning a Razzie nomination for Worst New Star, Thomas stars in the film as fictional gymnast Jonathan Cabot, who is approached by the Special Intelligence Agency and offered the opportunity to compete in the Game.
The Game sees participants from all across the world compete in a series of obstacles, with the victor having their wish granted. A lot is going on inGymkata, and though most of it fails to connect, there’s still a lot of fun to be had with the movie.The film’s unintentional comedy has allowed it to develop somewhat of a cult following, and its blend of martial arts and gymnastics, while strange, is undeniably entertaining and unlike anything else the decade has to offer.
3The Seventh Curse (1986)
Directed by Lam Ngai Kai
One ofthe best fantasy martial arts movies from the ’80s,The Seventh Curseis also incredibly strange. Like many of the other films mentioned,The Seventh Cursecombines several genres to surprisingly effective results. The film revolves around Dr. Yuen (Chin Siu-ho), who is cursed with seven “Blood Curses,” each of which bursts through his leg one by one.
Before dying of the seventh curse, Dr. Yuen sets out on a quest to find a permanent cure and must defeat a series of supernatural threats along the way. WhileThe Seventh Cursecould benefit from a tighter script,its presentation of odd characters and solid action set pieces saves it from being a complete disaster. Balancing out the bizarre nature of the film is impressive stunt work and fight choreography that helps groundThe Seventh Curse’s otherwise fantastical world.
2The Young Master (1980)
Directed by Jackie Chan
Released at a time when Jackie Chan’s signature brand of action comedy was still being developed,The Young Masteris a fun martial arts film directed, co-written, and led by the actor. In the film, Chan plays young martial arts master Dragon, who, alongside his brother Tiger, attends a martial arts school together before the latter sibling commits an act of betrayal and joins a rival academy.
The Young Master
The Young Master follows youthful martial arts master Lung as he searches for his missing brother while being mistaken for a fugitive. Lung must prove his innocence by solving the case himself, all while being pursued by local lawmen and relentless mercenaries. Released in 1980, it stars Jackie Chan.
The rest of the film sees Dragon work to clear his name after he’s accused of being a criminal, with his confrontations with others being a great source of entertainment.The Young Masteris one ofChan’s best old-school kung fu movies, asthe actor’s comedic timing and striking stunt work are on full displayfor the amusement of audiences. All the film’s comedic sequences and small-scale fight scenes lead to an incredibly rewarding final battle that’ll have viewers on the edge of their seats.
1Encounters Of The Spooky Kind (1980)
Directed by Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung has directed, written, and starred in several films throughout his career, including the martial arts comedy-horror hybrid,Encounters of the Spooky Kind.The film mixes a lot of tones and supernatural creatures,but it all co-exists neatly together, providing audiences with an endlessly entertaining movie.
Though it’s certainly not the first of its kind,Encounters' satisfying blend of bizarre visuals and traditional martial arts influenced many of the supernatural action films heading into the ’90s.
Hung leads the film as kung fu artist Bold Cheung, who is tricked into spending the night in a haunted temple. Cheung then meets a priest who helps him prepare for a battle against a hopping zombie, or a “jiangshi” as they are known in Chinese folklore.
Encounters of the Spooky Kind
Encounters of the Spooky Kind, set in a rural village, follows “Big Guts” Cheung, a fearless local, as he faces supernatural challenges after being deceived into spending a night in a temple populated by spirits, zombies, and vampires. The film, released in 1980, blends martial arts and the paranormal.
Encounters of the Spooky Kindexpertly fuses moments of pure comedy with eerie suspense, and tops everything off with numerous martial arts sequences executed with ease by Hung. Though it’s certainly not the first of its kind,Encounters' satisfying blend of bizarre visuals and traditional martial arts influenced many of the supernatural action films heading into the ’90s.
