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Kill or Be Killed (film)
Encyclopedia
Kill or Be Killed is a martial arts
movie that was made in South Africa in 1977, but released in 1980 to capitalize on the popularity of American martial arts films.
A famous martial artist, Steve Hunt (James Ryan
), travels to the desert for what he thinks is an Olympic-style competition. The competition turns out to be a trap set by Baron von Rudloff (Norman Coombes), an ex-Nazi General who is still bitter over the humiliating defeat of his martial arts team at the 1936 Summer Olympics
by Japanese martial artist Miyagi (Raymond Ho-Tong). Steve wants to escape when his girlfriend and fellow karateka, Olga (Charlotte Michelle), is deemed unsuitable to continue as part of von Rudloff's team. When Steven and Olga make their escape, von Rudloff sends his sympathetic henchman Chico (Danie DuPlessis) to travel around the world to recruit the best fighters for his team.
In an attempt to get Steve back on his team, von Rudloff sends one of his top fighters, Ruell (Ed Kannemeyer) to kidnap Olga. Steve decides to return but as a member of Miyagi's team. When the tournament begins, Steve finds himself at constant odds with von Rudloff. When von Rudloff forces Steve to face Olga, a plan is set up for the couple to escape. However, Steve and Olga find themselves kidnapped along with nearly all of the karate fighters with the exception of Luke, a monster fighter on von Rudloff's team. Baron von Rudloff also learns that his henchman Chico was responsible for helping Steve and Olga. When the fighters make their break out of von Rudloff's castle, Steve takes on Luke in the middle of the desert and after defeating him, von Rudloff finds a gun on the ground and knowing that he cannot ever accept defeat, he takes his own life.
The fighting style in the film is a showcase of the pure style of Japanese karate, courtesy of the Japan Karate Association (South Africa). Shihans Stan Schmidt and Norman Robinson choreographed the film's karate sequences as well as appear in the film as two members of von Rudloff's karate team.
The film is also known as Karate Killer and Karate Olympia. The film was so popular in the United States that Film Ventures International greelit a sequel, Kill and Kill Again
, starring James Ryan as martial arts champion Steve Chase, in 1981. Like its predecessor, the film's extras were real karateka from the Japan Karate Association (South Africa) with Stan Schmidt and Norman Robinson returning as karate choreographers and co-starring as two of Steve's friends.
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
movie that was made in South Africa in 1977, but released in 1980 to capitalize on the popularity of American martial arts films.
A famous martial artist, Steve Hunt (James Ryan
James Ryan (actor)
-Career:In 1984, he appeared alongside Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep in the romantic-drama film, Falling in Love. He appeared in Five Corners alongside Jodie Foster and Tim Robbins, and stopped acting professionally in order to focus on writing and directing...
), travels to the desert for what he thinks is an Olympic-style competition. The competition turns out to be a trap set by Baron von Rudloff (Norman Coombes), an ex-Nazi General who is still bitter over the humiliating defeat of his martial arts team at the 1936 Summer Olympics
1936 Summer Olympics
The 1936 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was held in 1936 in Berlin, Germany. Berlin won the bid to host the Games over Barcelona, Spain on April 26, 1931, at the 29th IOC Session in Barcelona...
by Japanese martial artist Miyagi (Raymond Ho-Tong). Steve wants to escape when his girlfriend and fellow karateka, Olga (Charlotte Michelle), is deemed unsuitable to continue as part of von Rudloff's team. When Steven and Olga make their escape, von Rudloff sends his sympathetic henchman Chico (Danie DuPlessis) to travel around the world to recruit the best fighters for his team.
In an attempt to get Steve back on his team, von Rudloff sends one of his top fighters, Ruell (Ed Kannemeyer) to kidnap Olga. Steve decides to return but as a member of Miyagi's team. When the tournament begins, Steve finds himself at constant odds with von Rudloff. When von Rudloff forces Steve to face Olga, a plan is set up for the couple to escape. However, Steve and Olga find themselves kidnapped along with nearly all of the karate fighters with the exception of Luke, a monster fighter on von Rudloff's team. Baron von Rudloff also learns that his henchman Chico was responsible for helping Steve and Olga. When the fighters make their break out of von Rudloff's castle, Steve takes on Luke in the middle of the desert and after defeating him, von Rudloff finds a gun on the ground and knowing that he cannot ever accept defeat, he takes his own life.
The fighting style in the film is a showcase of the pure style of Japanese karate, courtesy of the Japan Karate Association (South Africa). Shihans Stan Schmidt and Norman Robinson choreographed the film's karate sequences as well as appear in the film as two members of von Rudloff's karate team.
The film is also known as Karate Killer and Karate Olympia. The film was so popular in the United States that Film Ventures International greelit a sequel, Kill and Kill Again
Kill and Kill Again
Kill and Kill Again is a 1981 South African/American action film notable for being the first live-action film to use the visual effects known as bullet-time. It is a sequel to Kill or Be Killed ....
, starring James Ryan as martial arts champion Steve Chase, in 1981. Like its predecessor, the film's extras were real karateka from the Japan Karate Association (South Africa) with Stan Schmidt and Norman Robinson returning as karate choreographers and co-starring as two of Steve's friends.