Action Cult Classic

A real-life kung fu master takes on drug-dealing rivals in the gritty heart of 1979 New York.

THE DEADLY ART OF SURVIVAL

1979 · 1h 17m · NR · Action / Drama · IMDB TMDB

Real-life kung fu master Nathan Ingram stars in this gritty, low-budget martial arts epic as a local karate school owner who clashes with a gang of drug traffickers posing as the owners of a rival dojo. Director Charlie Ahearn (who helmed the landmark hip-hop film Wild Style) used the housing projects next to his New York Lower East Side apartment as his central location in this 1979 classic, shot on a vintage Super 8 camera.

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Quick Answer

What is The Deadly Art of Survival about?

The Deadly Art of Survival is a 1979 American action-drama directed by Charlie Ahearn about a local karate school owner who confronts a gang of drug traffickers posing as rivals in New York City's Lower East Side.

Programmer's Pick

Where else are you going to find real kung fu clashing with disco-era drug dealers in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge? Charlie Ahearn keeps it street-level and raw, giving you a slice of martial arts history with a side of gritty New York attitude.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Set in the tough streets of New York's Lower East Side, The Deadly Art of Survival follows real kung fu master Nathan Ingram as he battles more than just rival martial artists—he faces off against a gang of drug dealers masquerading as dojo owners. Shot on vintage Super 8 film by Charlie Ahearn, this gritty, low-budget epic captures the raw energy of late 1970s urban life, complete with street fights, housing project backdrops, and a heavy dose of authentic martial arts action. The film offers a look at community, rivalry, and survival, all grounded in the unique atmosphere of the era's hip-hop and martial arts subcultures.

Details & Specs

Director: Charlie Ahearn
Writer: Charlie Ahearn
Release: 1979
Runtime: 1h 17m
Language: English
Genres: Action, Drama

Cast & Crew

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Director: Charlie Ahearn Writer: Charlie Ahearn

NI Nathan Ingram GD George David Gonzalez MV Miguel Villanueva GH Gerard Hovagimyan KS Kiki Smith FR Freddy Rivera AA Arthur Abrams PH Paula Humphrey RC Rosetta Campbell YC Yoshiko Chuma

Beth B GT Gahiji Tee Pantera TV Tony Voss RD Raymond Dias DD Danny Davis GT George Torres 'S 'Star' Steve Rickenbacker EJ Eddie Jones RT Robert Thomas VR Victor Rivera DA David Artis ST Steve Tinsley 'P 'Tonfa' Pablo Salcedo CR Christy Rupp BH Becky Howland DK Daryl Kirkland CH Charlie Hernandez

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martial arts action Revenge Low Budget Film New York City African American Martial Arts Low-budget Drug Dealer Karate Ghetto Gang War Disco Street Fight Karate Kick Brooklyn Bridge Puerto Rican Dojo