A battered teen finds redemption and revenge in the Philippines—one karate kick at a time.
KARATE WARRIOR
To survive the jungle, he must master the strike.
While visiting his father in the Philippines, Anthony angers Quino, a local gangster and karate champion. After being severely beaten and left for dead, Anthony is rescued by an old monk who trains him in martial arts to prepare for a final rematch.
Quick Answer
Karate Warrior is a 1987 Italian action film directed by Fabrizio De Angelis about a teenager who, after being beaten by a local gangster in the Philippines, is trained in martial arts by a monk to seek revenge.
Programmer's Pick
Karate Warrior is what happens when Italian cinema dreams of The Karate Kid and throws in Filipino gangsters, a mystical monk, and a special move with a name as dramatic as its hero’s haircut. Expect earnest training montages, classic bully comeuppance, and enough nunchaku action to satisfy your inner '80s action aficionado.
— SassyFlix Programmer
Overview
Details & Specs
- Director
- Fabrizio De Angelis
- Writers
- Dardano Sacchetti, Fabrizio De Angelis
- Release
- 1987
- Runtime
- 1h 34m
- Country
- Italy
- Language
- English
- Genres
- Action
- Also Known As
- Karate Warrior - Alptraum der Gewalt, Karate Warrior, Original title: Il ragazzo dal kimono d'oro
Why This Matters
Karate Warrior launched a successful franchise, becoming the first in a series of six Italian martial arts films directed by Fabrizio De Angelis under the pseudonym Larry Ludman.
Cast & Crew
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Why Cult
Watch Anthony transform from helpless tourist to karate contender under the tutelage of a wise old monk.
The film teases a secret martial arts technique—the 'Stroke of the Dragon'—as Anthony’s ace in the dojo.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of the Philippines, it’s a classic tale of a teen outsider facing off against a local gangster and his crew.
This is Italian genre film-making at its culty best: a mix of revenge, mentorship, and shirtless duels.
Scene Gallery
Questions from the Vault
When was Karate Warrior released? +
Karate Warrior was released in 1987.
Who directed Karate Warrior? +
Karate Warrior was directed by Fabrizio De Angelis.
How long is Karate Warrior? +
Karate Warrior has a runtime of 94 minutes.
What genre is Karate Warrior? +
Karate Warrior is an action film.
What is the 'Stroke of the Dragon' technique? +
It’s a special martial arts move taught to Anthony by the old monk, representing his secret weapon in the fight against Quino.
