One fights to survive.
Hello to all of the classic people that are returning. I am glad you are back. I want to welcome any new visitors. As a technical note, references and citations are listed for each show on the site at classicmovierev.com. Today on the Classic Movie Reviews Podcast, we are taking on The Challenge (1982).
Much like The Yakuza (1974), this is a hybrid between a martial arts movie and an American action film. What I think makes this movie stand out from the thousands of others, is that American boxer Nick does not become a champion martial arts fighter in a matter of weeks or months.
One of the failings of The Karate Kid (1984) series, and I dearly love these movies, except for the last one, is that in less than 6-months, Daniel was able to compete against students that had been training for years. Even Rocky (1976) had decades of boxing when he faced Apollo Creed.
This movie, which is well worth your time, is not well-loved. It has a pitifully low 6.3 rating on iMDB.com[1]. It fares no better on rottentomatoes.com with 50 percent on the Tomatometer and only 70 percent audience approval[2].
New York Times film critic Janet Maslin said in an extremely negative review on July 7, 1982:
“SCENERY and sadism are the main things on display in John Frankenheimer’s ”The Challenge,” a hard-boiled action film with great hopes of becoming something more. The setting is modern, urban Japan, presented with a fair amount of realism and detail.”
And she later continued:
“Without Mr. Mifune, ”The Challenge” would certainly have a lot less weight. His presence helps add seriousness to the proceedings, especially in a final sequence that shows him roaming through the executive headquarters in warrior’s garb, preparing to use his sword against the machine guns of a modern-day security police squad. Mr. Mifune is impressive even in a sequence that has him coolly serving Mr. Glenn live fish and newly slaughtered fresh lobster for dinner – the lobster has not stopped moving. As part of his real-man training, Mr. Glenn obligingly wolfs it down.[3]”
“Iron Fist” at ultimateactionmovies.com is much kinder say:
“With The Challenge, we were gifted with a true Samurai movie geared toward American audiences and our attention span. It serves as a travelogue of Japan, as well as an introduction to Bushido and the ancient arts of the Samurai. This is a truly important movie that is only masquerading as an action film. Dare we call it art?[4]”
Scott Glenn and Toshirô Mifune make a pretty tough team. I would put this movie in with other duo action films such as Mifune working with Charles Bronson in Red Sun (1971) and Mifune versus Lee Marvin in Hell in the Pacific (1968).
Actors – The Challenge (1982)
New
Scott Glenn played American pug boxer, Rick. Glenn was born in Pittsburg in 1941. Glenn eventually attended William and Mary College before joining the Marine Corp. He intended to become a writer and worked as a reporter for almost half a year. He began to take acting lessons to help his writing dialogue. In 1966, he traveled to New York, where he studied with George Morrison and later at The Actors Studio. He began to receive stage and television work.
His first movie was The Baby Maker (1970), but I first remember him for the excellent television movie Gargoyles (1972). A great tough guy, he was in Angels Hard as They Come (1971), Fighting Mad (1976), Nashville (1975), and Apocalypse Now (1979). But it was Urban Cowboy (1980) that made him a star. He played a totally believable woman hitting stinker that ran the mechanical bull at Gilley’s following his release from prison. This movie may have also caused the collapse of the Soviet Union, but more about this at another time.
Glenn started getting significant roles, such as The Challenge (1982), a great martial arts movie where the Caucasian hero doesn’t turn into a master in two weeks. Glenn and Mifune team up to fight the enemy at the end, one using martial arts, and the other modern weapons. Other films include The Right Stuff (1983), where he was most excellent, dramas Countdown to Looking Glass (1984) and The River (1984), and another starring performance in the updated western Silverado (1985), turning in another top-flight performance.
The 90s and on were just as good with The Hunt for Red October (1990), Backdraft (1991), The Silence of the Lambs (1991), Courage Under Fire (1996), Absolute Power (1997), Training Day (2001), The Bourne Ultimatum (2007), W. (2008) Secretariat (2010), Sucker Punch (2011), and The Bourne Legacy (2012). Glenn continues to work.
Toshirô Mifune was pretty darn good as traditional samurai Yoshida. Interestingly, this great Japanese actor was born in China to a Japanese family. Born in 1920, he did not travel to Japan until he was drafted into the Japanese military at the age of 21. During the war, he served in an aerial photography unit.
Following the war in 1947, he tested for and got his first film role in These Foolish Times (1947). At some point, he met and befriended exemplary director Akira Kurosawa. Drunken Angel (1948) was the first of 16 collaborations between the pair resulting in some of the best movies ever filmed.
Mifune’s films include Stray Dog (1949), Rashomon (1950) which added to English The Rashomon Effect – “a term related to the notorious unreliability of eyewitnesses,”[5] the absolutely amazing Seven Samurai (1954) which was the basis for The Magnificent Seven (1960) and maybe that waste of celluloid The Magnificent Seven (2016), the visually stunning Throne of Blood (1957) based on Shakespeare’s McBeth, The Hidden Fortress (1958), Yojimbo (1961), Sanjuro (1962), High and Low (1963), and Red Beard (1965) a brilliant film where Mifune plays a mentoring doctor.
Mifune took roles in Grand Prix (1966), Hell in the Pacific (1968) which could be the most macho film ever, Red Sun (1971) which should have been the most macho film ever, political thriller Paper Tiger (1975), Midway (1976) where he was outstanding as Admiral Yamamoto, oddly he was in the comedy 1941 (1979), the television mini-series “Shogun” 1980 as Lord Toranaga made him very popular in America, The Challenge (1982), and finally Deep River (1995). During this same period, he made dozens of Japanese movies. Mifune died in 1997 in Japan.
Clyde Kusatsu played the role of Go. Kusatsu in Hawaii in 1948, when it was still a U.S. territory. Kusatsu attended Iolani School in Honolulu and later graduated from Northwestern University in 1970 with a theater major.
His career began in 1970 but didn’t become strong until the mid-1970s. Still, he worked primarily on television in police dramas and “Kung Fu” 1973-1975. Kusatsu had a significant role in the war epic Midway (1976). In 1977, he had roles in The Choirboys (1977) and Black Sunday (1977). The following year, Kusatsu was in Go Tell the Spartans (1978). He had a small bit in The Frisco Kid (1979). Of course, Kusatsu had a pivotal role in the martial arts film The Challenge (1982). In addition to being prolific on television through this period, Kusatsu was in the hilarious comedy Volunteers (1985), where he brainwashed and turned John Candy into a Communist. Other films include Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993), Made in America (1993), Rising Sun (1993), Paradise Road (1997), and The Interpreter (2005).
Kusatsu is still working and has done extensive voice work. He has worked on the old and the new “Hawaii Five-O” 1976 and 2011. He appeared on an episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” 1987. On television, Kusatsu has played a judge at least 14 times and a doctor 24 times.
Other Actors
Calvin Jung Ando
Donna Kei Benz Akiko
Sab ShimonoToshio
Atsuo Nakamura Hideo
Kiyoaki Nagai Kubo
Story – The Challenge (1982)
As the credits roll, an old Japanese man is shown in a traditional dojo examining a pair of samurai swords. The year is 1945, and the location is Japan. He takes the swords outside to a group that is sitting in a semi-circle on the ground. A young boy with glasses is called forward. He acknowledges Yoshida (Toshirô Mifune) before accepting the swords from the old man. A man runs forward, grabs the swords, and while doing so cuts the boy wearing the glasses.
The scene switches to a boxing training gym in Los Angeles, California, in 1982. Rick (Scott Glenn) is a sparing partner, or basically a punching bag that moves. A Japanese man in a wheelchair, Toshio (Sab Shimono), arrives with a helper Akiko (Donna Kei Benz). They are there to meet the fighter that is wailing on Rick because he is planning on fighting in Tokyo the following week. The fighter continues to taunt Rick until Rick unloads on him and shows him the skills he had. Rick eventually knocks out the younger opponent, losing his job at the same time.
Later at his dump apartment, Rick is visited by Toshio and Akiko. Toshio offers $500 a day to help them transport an important object back to Japan. Toshio explains that it is the missing sword, and it is going back to his father. They want Rick because he won the fight. Akiko says Rick is not right for the job. Toshio explains how the sword will be taken into Japan and where to go after it is dropped off. When Toshio and Akiko leave, they are being watched by Ando (Calvin Jung).
Rick and Toshio make the flight to Osaka. Rick clears customs with the sword, apparently in a bag of golf clubs. Akiko is watching them come through customs. A taxi picks up Rick, and a man with a gun jumps in with him. Ando gets in the front seat and tells Rick to stay calm.
Toshio and Akiko come out of the airport with no idea Rick has been kidnapped. Other men are watching them. Toshio and Akiko leave in a handicapped van.
Ando has Rick open the golf bag while another man keeps a gun pointed in his face. They find the sword, and Ando realizes that the sword Rick has is a decoy. He radios the other men to stop the van with Toshio and Akiko. Akiko escapes, but the driver is killed defending Toshio.
Ando brings Rick to the van and throws him in with Toshio. As they drive, Ando explains that he doesn’t understand Japanese culture because Rick and Toshio are about to die for an antique sword. Ando says that he works for Toshio’s uncle. He cuts up Toshio while Rick is forced to watch. Finally, Toshio says the sword came in on another flight.
At last, Rick attack Ando but is knocked back. Ando throws Toshio and his wheelchair out the back of the moving van. Toshio flies into a ditch and dies.
Ando says he will take Rick to see his boss Hideo (Atsuo Nakamura), and revenge will be taken out on him. They go to a building, and it is the same building that was used in The Yakuza (1974). It is the International Conference Hall in Kyoto, Japan. Ando gives out a lot of information about his boss during the walk-in.
Hideo has one sword in his office and a holder for a second. Hideo offers four times as much for the actual location of the sword. Hideo was wounded during the battle for Okinawa and lost the sword to American medical staff. Both Hideo and his brother Yoshida have been looking for the sword. Hideo stops to make a stock deal while he continues to threaten Rick with a sword. Rick tells Hideo that he knows nothing, and then Ando knocks him out. They take Rick away in a car. As they walk by, Akiko is hiding in the bushes.
Rick is taken to a dark alley, but he makes a break and runs through a massive fish market. Rick fights off a knife with a metal basket. Before finally escaping across the railroad track, he is stabbed in the back. Rick sits down because he is weak from losing blood. A Hideo man finds him and is about to shot him. Akiko stabs the man in the back, saving Rick.
When he wakes, he is at the Yoshida compound and is being treated by Akiko, who is wearing a traditional outfit. He passes out again.
Outside, it’s a regular karate school just like Han’s Island in Enter the Dragon (1973), but for good. Rick tells Akiko that he wants to talk to her father, Yoshida. About this time, Go (Clyde Kusatsu) returns with Toshio’s wheelchair. The missing sword was hidden in the wheelchair the entire time. Yoshida takes the sword with reverence. Rick steps up and demands payment. He is rebuffed as Yoshida returns the sword to the dojo and prays over the ashes of Toshio. Another sheath is waiting for the sword that Hideo has.
I said karate awhile back because it fit better, but they are doing Kendo with wooden swords and practicing archery, so it is more of an all martial arts school. Rick watches the archery with great interest. In another courtyard, Go is practicing calligraphy. Go shows Rick that there are ninjas on the rooftops.
Rick comes to a traditional dinner and gets sloppy drunk on saki with ells in it. It’s like the worm in mescal, if you drink enough, you will fight for the worm. Rick manages to embarrass everyone before he runs out to puke.
Rick is very hungover when the gong rings in the morning. Everyone else is already practicing karate. Rick mimics the movements. Yoshida sees him and says he stinks. Rick challenges him or anyone to a fight. They bring in Kubo (Kiyoaki Nagai) to fight Rick. Kubo malls Rick as the whole clan watches.
Rick is paid off and escorted out of the compound. He and Akiko make puppy eyes at each other. Rick ends up drinking in a bar full of prostitutes. When he tries to leave, they try to charge him a cover. He refuses, and the manager tears his bill up. Ando is waiting for him.
Ando explains that Rick needs to go back to Yoshida and asks to be a student. When he gets the chance, he should steal the sword and give it to Ando. He will be paid $15,000.
Rick goes back to Yoshida and begs to become a student. Rick refuses to kneel, but he is accepted anyway. They go for a training session of cutting bamboo with swords. Yoshida does it easily, but Rick’s sword bounces off. Later he is sent to clean while others train. One day he goes to kendo training and is roughed up by the instructor. He ends up facing Kubo and beaten senseless.
Later Rick hears someone belittling a young boy that is training at the school. He gives the boy words of encouragement. Rick tells the boy that he has heard sensei say he will be a great warrior. Akiko overhears the conversation.
One-night, Rick finds himself alone and goes to steal the sword. He makes his way out of the compound. He is scared by a cat and draws the sword out of instinct. He is overcome with a bout of conscience and heads back to the compound.
Yoshida and Go are waiting for him as he returns. Yoshida says he knew Rick would take the sword. He utters a command, and archers come out of the bushes. Rick bows and presents the sword to Yoshida and asks for forgiveness. Yoshida says he must prove himself.
The next day, Rick digs a deep hole. They bury him up to his neck and leave him. Kubo places cooked rice out of his reach after the first night. On the second night, a rat comes and freaks Rick out. The young boy tries to give him water, but he refuses. The next night it rains. Rick eats a bug that comes around him.
Finally, he sees Yoshida coming with a sword to kill him. It is a hallucination. They decide he has had enough and dig him out. Rick has been in the hole for 5-days, the same record as sensei.
After he recovers, Rick goes back to training. This time he learns throwing stars. Rick is called to Yoshida and told that Yoshida has challenged Hideo to a duel. Each man will bring four followers. Yoshida asks Rick to be one of the men. Rick is honored but Yoshida says he wants to show them what he has made of their thief.
Yoshida and the four retainers wait in the bamboo forest. Hideo shows up and says he is not going to fight and demands the sword be given to him. Ando and other men get out of the second car. Rick puts a knife to Yoshida’s throat and demands they come for the sword. Rick knifes the first guy. Yoshida and others kill two more. One of Yoshida’s men is killed, but they get away amongst the gunfire.
That night, Rick is pacing around, but he finally bursts into the dojo to talk to Yoshida. He says they need guns to fight men that won’t follow the rules. At her father’s instruction, Akiko tells the story of the night of Hideo stealing the sword and cutting Toshio, forcing him to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. Apparently, if that wasn’t bad enough, Hideo was already in the Japanese army. One of his men shot Yoshida’s father, who lived long enough to curse Hideo. Yoshida explains to Rick why he cannot turn the sword over to such a bad man.
Yoshida takes over Rick’s training, and he vastly improves. Akiko explains to Rick that his father may want to will the sword to him like a son. I will talk more about this in the conclusions. Go watches Rick become better and closer to Yoshida.
Rick is guarding the sword, and Go tells him that Akiko has left the compound. Kubo was guarding the gate, and he and Rick fight. Rick holds his own now. Go reveals two gunmen in his cart, and they kill two other guards. The small boy attacks Go as he tries to steal the sword. Go cracks the little boy in the head. Yoshida comes and kills both of the gunmen. He faces down and kills Go. Rick kills one more of the robbers.
Rick leaves and goes to drink in a hotel room. Akiko shows up in his room. She asks Rick to come back. They get all naked and stuff. Then they go on a sightseeing tour of the city. They end up at some kind of festival. Rick loses focus and misplaces Akiko. He looks for her but instead finds Ando. Ando has a sniper on the roof.
Rick takes the news back to Yoshida. Yoshida says he will fight, and Rick cannot help. Yoshida takes his weapons and heads out, leaving all of his men behind.
Hideo has Akiko at his super secure compound. Ando is there as well. Yoshida begins killing security guards. One guard sends an alarm, and an army of guards run outside. Yoshida keeps killing guards with his bow and arrow and sword. After killing seven or eight, he makes it into the building and kills the security camera. Yoshida kills two more guards with throwing stars.
I am officially stopping adding Wilhelm Screams when a bad guy dies.
Suddenly, Rick shows up and picks up an M-16 rifle. He mows down a crowd of guards that are about to get Yoshida. Yoshida signals Rick to follow. Rick is caught by a guard but is saved by Yoshida.
Akiko is sent with Ando while Hideo changes into his fighting clothes.
Rick and Yoshida continue to kill guards. Rick finally gets another gun. They ride up to Hideo’s floor. He has now armed himself with the other matched sword. Yoshida throws caltrops, anti-calvary tacks, and Rick shoots a bunch more guards.
Ando is holding a gun on Akiko and Hideo at last face Yoshida and Rick. They talk smack to each other. Hideo calls off the guards. Yoshida and Hideo face-off with the swords. I’m betting on the guy who trains every day and not the businessman.
The fight is pretty even until Ando shots Yoshida in the back. Hideo chops off Ando’s head for shooting his brother. Rick and Akiko run to Yoshida. Rick takes up the sword to fight Hideo. Rick adds in some boxing, but he is taking an awful beating. Well, really a cutting.
Both men stick their swords in a chair and lose control of them. In the hand-to-hand fight, Rick does okay. They both get their swords back and continue the fight. Rick pulls a stapler off a desk and staples Hideo’s forehead. He then cuts an electrical cord and burns Hideo’s hand. In the end, Rick cleaves Hideo’s head.
Akiko has the M-16, and the bloody Rick gives the two equal swords to Yoshida. The three kneel before the swords as the sun begins to rise.
I’ll be right back with conclusions and the World-Famous Short Summary following a word from our sponsors.
Summary – The Challenge (1982)
I’m not much of a Speed Racer (1967) fan, but according to iMDB.com, the main character was named Go Mifune, and an M was put on the hood of the car as a tribute to Toshirô Mifune.
Watching the movie in the way that it is cut has a few skips. A one-point Akiko tells Rick that her father may be giving the swords to him when he dies. There is no real explanation for why Go would betray the family after so many years.
These plot points are cleared up a bit as the script was written to be a father finding his spiritual son. As filming began, most of the character scenes were cut or shortened. According to iMDB.com, Glenn said Mifune told him, “Look, this is what’s happening. I’m disappointed, and I know you are, but this is what it is. So you can either have your heart broken every day, or you can use this experience as an opportunity to be spending an interesting time in Japan with me as your tour guide,” and Glenn accepted the offer.[6]
World-Famous Short Summary – Boy has trouble with new girlfriends’ family
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Beware the moors
[1] https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083726/
[2] https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_challenge_1982
[3] https://www.nytimes.com/1982/07/23/movies/frankenheimer-s-challenge.html
[4] https://ultimateactionmovies.com/an-introduction-to-the-samurai-way-in-the-challenge-1982/
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashomon_effect
[6] https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083726/trivia
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