The Octagon

1980

The Octagon

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

33%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 6

31%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 5,362
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Movie Info

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.
  • Rating:
    R (adult situations/language, nudity, violence)
  • Genre:
    Action & Adventure
  • Directed By:
    Eric Karson
  • Written By:
    Leigh Chapman
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Media Home Entertainment

Cast

Chuck Norris
as Scott James
Karen Carlson
as Justine
Lee Van Cleef
as McCarn
Art Hindle
as A. J.
Richard Norton
as Longlegs
Carol Bagdasarian
as Aura
Kim Lankford
as Nancy, Dancer
Tadashi Yamashita
as Seikura
Kurt Grayson
as Doggo
Yuki Shimoda
as Katsumoto
Larry D. Mann
as Tibor
John Fujioka
as Isawa
Jack Carter
as Sharkey
John Barrett
as Justine's Killer
Aaron Norris
as Hatband
Brian Tochi
as Seikura at Eighteen
Gerald Okamura
as Ninja Instructor
Carlos Romano
as Pilot
Don Pike
as Chauffer (sic)
Elizabeth Carder
as Desk Clerk
Ken Gibbel
as Meat
Redmond Gleeson
as Duffy
Ted Duncan
as Truckdriver
Kevin Brando
as Scott at Eight
Jo McDonnell
as Amy Lee
Enrique Lucero
as One Armed Man
Alan Marcus
as Truckdriver
Ernie Hudson
as Quinine
Brian Libby
as Deadwyler
Crane Jackson
as House Detective
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Critic Reviews for The Octagon

All Critics (6) | Fresh (2) | Rotten (4)

View All Critic Reviews (6)

Audience Reviews for The Octagon

  • Feb 28, 2008
    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.
    Patrick D Super Reviewer
  • Mar 21, 2007
    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.
    Dean M Super Reviewer
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