The Octagon (1980)

20% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
40% of users liked it
(5,150 ratings)

Karate champ Chuck Norris returns for another chop-socky vigilante flick in The Octagon, one of a handful of undistinguished Ninja pictures released during the early '80s. Norris appropriately plays a retired karate champ hired as a bodyguard for a wealthy woman (Karen Carlson) plagued by a gang of… More Karate champ Chuck Norris returns for another chop-socky vigilante flick in The Octagon, one of a handful of undistinguished Ninja pictures released during the early '80s. Norris appropriately plays a retired karate champ hired as a bodyguard for a wealthy woman (Karen Carlson) plagued by a gang of vicious ninjas. Reluctant at first to take the job, he reconsiders when he learns the gang is headed by his longtime arch rival Tadashi Yamashita (Lee Van Cleef). The script -- as is the case in nearly every Ninja film -- has holes bigger than Okinawa, and the acting is downright atrocious, particularly that of Norris, who, thankfully, improved with time. However, the production values are fair, as is the direction, and the action sequences are often exciting and comparatively realistic. Recommended for genre fans only. ~ Jeremy Beday, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: Eric Karson
Genres: Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Aug 14, 1980 Wide
On DVD: Aug 17, 2004
Studio: Media Home Entertainment

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

Dean M

It's my first-time American martial arts movie to deal with ninjas I watched. Super duel between Chuck Norris and the excellent Tadashi Yamashita, instead comes an unbelievable letdown.
Patrick D

My first Chuck Norris flick (save Sidekicks) and I gotta say, I didn't miss much. I mean this film is basically worth watching for yucks only. There are some incredible unintentional laughs (ie Chucks inner monologue (that appears an absurd amount) posseses an echoey whisper to… More
My first Chuck Norris flick (save Sidekicks) and I gotta say, I didn't miss much. I mean this film is basically worth watching for yucks only. There are some incredible unintentional laughs (ie Chucks inner monologue (that appears an absurd amount) posseses an echoey whisper to it that just kills me). I never realised how gentle souled Chuck seems either. Plus, in 2008, the presence of ninjas in a film is just ridiculous. This sucker was a hoot, but I know I didn't miss much with the lack of Norris in my childhood. P.S. The joke that Chuck has no chin, that under his beard is just another fist, is sadly debunked in this film as he only has a creepy mustache.

Cast

            Chuck Norris as Scott James

            Karen Carlson as Justine

            Lee Van Cleef as McCarn

            Tadashi Yamashita as Seikura

            Carol Bagdasarian as Aura

            Kim Lankford as Nancy Dancer

            Art Hindle as A.J.

            Kurt Grayson as Doggo

            Yuki Shimoda as Katsumoto

            Larry D. Mann as Tibor

            John Fujioka as Isawa

            Jack Carter as Sharkey

            Ted Duncan as Truckdriver

            Ken Gibbel as Meat

            Redmond Gleeson as Duffy

            Ernie Hudson as Quinine

            Brian Libby as Deadwyler

            Enrique Lucero as One Armed Man

            Jo McDonnell as Amy Lee

            Gerald Okamura as Ninja Instructor

            Carlos Romano as Pilot

            Brian Tochi as Seikura at Eighteen

            Aaron Norris as Hatband

            Richard Norton as Longlegs

            Don Pike as Chauffer (sic)

            Kevin Brando as Scott at Eight

            Elizabeth Carder as Desk Clerk

            Crane Jackson as House Detective

            Alan Marcus as Truckdriver

            John Gilbert Barrett as Justine's Killer
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