Westerners have always been interested in the mysterious Japanese culture, which means that there is nothing surprising in the fact that historical films about the Land of the Rising Sun supplement the film libraries of the Russian audience. The list of films about the ninja will interest not only fans of martial arts, but also people who want to get to know the eastern concept of unity of body and spirit.
Japan is a place where religion and self-cultivation are closely related. For example, the martial arts of this people always teach how each person should develop his body and spirit. We can say that this fact has led to the appearance on the television screens of a new generation of characters - the ninja.
Shinobi: first appearance on the screen
The story of Japanese warriors for whom honor was above life, and secrecy and speed are the key to success - this is a topic that has become very popular in the mid-twentieth century.
If we trace the history of the term “shinobi”, the name of the killer-saboteur was given in the XIV century. However, it is more common for a Russian person to call such a specialist a “ninja”.
The best adaptations. First place
The directors tried several times to show the image of the elusive killer, but only the creator of the film “The Ninja Comes In” was able to capture it in a truly memorable way. It cannot be said that other attempts are not worthy of mention, but their appearance is not so bright. Therefore, “The Ninja Comes In” is a Hollywood work included in the list of films about elusive killers at number one.
The picture is remarkable in that it was attended by two first-class actors: Italian Franco Nero and Japanese martial artist Shaw Kosugi. It is difficult to find this film, since it was released worldwide in 1981, there is no release on DVD, at least for the moment. But, if you are a connoisseur, and on your shelf there is a place for movies about ninjas, the list of the best of which is separate, then take time for it. Perhaps he will take the highest step in your audience "pedestal".
The film has become a classic of that generation, so many are perplexed: “How is it possible that today's young generation does not know about it?”
This work of art has it all: first-class combat scenes, demonstration of weapons skills and historical costumes.
Shaw Kosugi played the best role of a bad guy named Hasagawa, from whom the subsequent "movie villains" copied the image. The Japanese actor can be considered a unique demonstrator of the use of the weapon ninja arsenal, if you recall the opening frames of the film.
Franco Nero was able to reliably embody the image of Cole - an American who passed the school of a Japanese master and received unique knowledge about ancient martial art.
Most modern action movies are very reminiscent of some scenes from this film. They were inspired not only by Hollywood actors, but also by some animators of that time. Remember the four brothers from the animated series whose names any boy still knows - Michelangelo, Raphael, Donatello and Leonardo.
It seems that the film earned first place and will certainly be added to the list of films, the best films about ninjas.
The second place in the list of the best
What is your name for actor Chuck Norris associated with? The generation of the nineties - with the popular film "Walking on Fire." However, the second place in the ranking of "The Best Ninja Films" (lists of films featuring Norris) will be occupied by the film "Octagon". The appearance of the young actor is subjectively perceived a little differently than in later works, but nevertheless it is difficult not to recognize him.
The uniqueness of this film is that the hero must fight the crowds of wonderful fighters, and not be part of them, as was the case in most of these stories.
There are two reasons why you should linger on the television screen if you came across this tape: acting and a thoughtful plot with a mysterious conspiracy.
Of course, one could include in the ninja films a list of the best sequels, which includes Revenge (with Sho Kosugi in the title role), but since this is the second part of the leader’s trilogy, we won’t mention it.
Favorite Mutant Turtles
The third place is rightfully occupied by the film-pearl among the trilogies, which tells about four mutated brothers forced to live in the sewers until they are met by New York television reporter April O'Neill.
Our rating “movies about ninja: a list of the best” could not do without the picture “Teenagers mutant ninja turtles”.
The film of the same name was released in 1990, in the genre of live action films (action), having won high ratings even in the UK. As far as we know, England has always been famous for its high requirements for the content provided. “Turtles” were no exception, so at the time of movie distribution the picture was censored. The reason was the weapon of one of the heroes, which was like an analogue of the nunchaku in action films with the participation of the famous actor Bruce Lee.
The film was not limited to. Early video games were censored in which Michelangelo’s weapons were completely hidden or replaced with items that could not be used as weapons. It looked ridiculous. By the way, a similar fragment is found in one of the parts of the trilogy. If you recall, Michelangelo called them "battle sausages."
By order of the English government, the name of the film was changed in 1987 to "Mutants of the Hero Turtle."
True, by the time the series were released in 2003, this policy was canceled. She did not in any way affect the title or content of the show.
The Ninja Turtle Trilogy is an excellent comic book adaptation for action movie fans. Alas, in the modern interpretation of the heroes of the 80s made the clumsy King Kongs.
The top includes a film about ninja turtles of the early 90s - this is the best film adaptation for the last twenty years.
Action Fans Collection
As you know, laser discs can save more than ten films, but before film enthusiasts enjoyed video cassettes (for example, VHS). Let's imagine how a collection of “ninja films” might look on the shelves of our parents. The list of the best films from an imaginary video library we provide:
- "Exit of the Dragon";
- "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (zero-year film);
- “Drunken Master 2” (in Russian box office it was often called “The Legend of the Drunken Master”);
- "Five Elements of the Ninja" (in our cinemas it was called "Chinese Super Ninja");
- "Iron Monkey";
- Both parts of the movie "Kill Bill";
- "Scheme eight plus fighter";
- "Fist of Legend";
- "Shogun killers";
- "Tai Chi Master";
- "Police Story";
- "Heroes of the East" (or "Shaolin: Challenges of the Ninja");
- "Grandmaster";
- "Mobile cafe";
- "Disassembly in the Bronx";
- "Warriors of Two";
- "Street Fighter" (meaning 1979 film);
- Crazy Kung Fu Monkey;
- Ong Bak: Thai Warrior;
- "Swordsman 2" (the first is slightly inferior and not suitable for a place in this list);
- "Drink with me";
- "Duel";
- "Wing Chun";
- "The legendary weapon of China";
- "Matrix";
- "Brave Archer";
- "Flash point";
- "Five fingers of death";
- "The path of Dragon";
- "Executioners from Shaolin";
- "Chocolate";
Here are those films that deserve your attention or watching among friends, family or acquaintances. Each picture from this list is somehow connected with the art of hand-to-hand combat.
Universal top of the best films
The three best films are named, which means it's time to present you a unique selection - the most spectacular films about the ninja. A collection of films is often kept by martial arts fans on personal computers, in a folder called “must-see.” So here is the list:
- "Enter Ninja";
- "American Samurai Killer" - this includes all parts of the film where actor Michael Dudikoff was shot;
- "Terminator Mercenary";
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- "Equilibrium".
Best actors
The article is practically completed. All significant films are put in their places in the top three. It remains only to add to the rating “top movies about ninja” a list of the best actors:
1. The first actor in this category is Franco Nero.
2. The second - Michael Dudikoff, who brilliantly played a role in "American Samurai Killer."
3. The third is the "icon" of the image, Shaw Kosugi.
The most famous director of the 80s
The director who made films about the ninja left a significant mark in the movie history of the militants. This is Menachem Golan.
He was born in May 1924, and died in August the year before last.
Undoubtedly, the Golan is known to many fans of action movies from the distant eighties when he was a co-owner of the company of his cousin Goran Globus. It was at the agreed time that the Canon Group became widely known for its low-budget films.
However, this did not stop the director from opening some modern Hollywood stars to the world public.
If there is a better director of action movies from the 80s, then this is undoubtedly Menachem Golan.