Two former ranking figures of the Axis powers schedule a deadly martial arts tournament in an isolated locale. The two rivals then race to assemble the top competitors from around the world,... Read allTwo former ranking figures of the Axis powers schedule a deadly martial arts tournament in an isolated locale. The two rivals then race to assemble the top competitors from around the world, with Steve Hunt being the most sought after fighter.Two former ranking figures of the Axis powers schedule a deadly martial arts tournament in an isolated locale. The two rivals then race to assemble the top competitors from around the world, with Steve Hunt being the most sought after fighter.
Danie Du Plessis
- Chico
- (as Daniel DuPlessis)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
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...or so reads the tagline on the box. This is a curious little film, and from what i can gather it seems south african, famous for their kung fu films(!). Mind you, it has nazis and midgets in it (he has a cool name, but i cant remember it..) and is not a bad film as it goes. bit too much of a enter the dragon rip-off. This video was released in England on the Polestar video label, and is extremely hard to find, so if you see a copy, pick it up.
This is a another martial arts movie in my case a true classic. I've always wanted to see this movie when I was younger, but when times have changed, this movie was listed as a "must see" I've looked at video stores in the past, and had no luck until five years later. I've gotten that chance to see it, and it was worth it! It wasn't as violent like most martial arts films, and usually actions are mostly louder than words. The scenes speak for themselves. The weapons scene was a must. I remembered the sword and kama(sickle) fight, at first, I thought they were axes. When I got a closer look, I knew better. It was worth the watch. Then it was the final fight. The most fun scene in my opinion. It was between the hero and the huge guy. The hero was very swift and very cunning. And liked when he laid that flying sidekick on that huge guy. That made the title the way it is; "KILL OR BE KILLED" I rather Kill! If you're slow, you'll be KILLED! Check it out while you still can. It's for the martial arts minded. Rating 2.5 out of 5 stars.
I was expecting another Kill And Kill Again. What I got was a slower and much less punchy vehicle. At times, there seems to be hardly any activity at all. The story too, goes off the beaten track a little like when Ryan and his love take off through the desert on their wind sailor, singing jubilantly, eating up too much screen time. The opening music theme, which I absolutely loved, and it's locale scene, a long exterior shot of a big fortress in the desert, as I frankly recall, is the first thing that clicks in my mind when I think about Kill Or Be Killed. With this film I was short changed afraid. There's much less action where you're kept waiting, especially from the start, where it came between long intervals. A slightly younger looking Ryan, with shorter, neater hair, who was in fact only 18 when he made this, plays another Steve character, who's drawn back into a fight in another big arena, where participants fight with weapons of choice. Ryan, a Chard Hayward sounding actor, does have a certain charisma, but not good acting status, where he's surrounded by a few antic characters, that midget guy a hoot. These characters at least add something to this disappointing actioner. After seeing Ryan's other flick, this had me on quite a come down, it had me moping. If you've seen this, and wasn't satisfied, and you've haven't seen the other kill movie, it's vitally imperative you do, as it may just bring your spirits up, for this 'Kill is so over ridden by, it's follow up.
There's some great stuff in here but the plot is needlessly convoluted and the editing choppy. The fighting is solid in parts, awkward in others but the amateurish moviemaking is what hurts it the most. It was almost like they made it up as they went along/filmed out of order/put it together out of order/didn't have a solid script. Okay cult movie, but hardly a must watch.
James Ryan portrays Steve Hunt, a karate expert caught up in a grudge match between two WWII war criminals, Baron von Rudloff (Norman Coombes) and Miyagi (!) (Raymond Ho-Tong). The two men are going to have their teams of martial artists square off in a tournament, with the first team to garner 20 points declared the winner. Steve and his girlfriend Olga (Charlotte Michelle) try a few times to escape, but to no avail. There's no way Steve isn't going to end up participating. Fortunately for the two of them, they have a helping hand in the form of Chico (Daniel DuPlessis), a put-upon little person who is the Barons' associate.
Filmed in South Africa in 1976, but not released in North America until 1980, when martial arts mania was then in full swing, "Kill or Be Killed" is on the low-budget and crude side. The 1981 sequel, "Kill and Kill Again", is a little more polished. While the sequel blatantly goes for tongue-in-cheek, this is played somewhat straighter - still, there's plenty of time for some humour, which helps to make the movie very enjoyable. There's lots of fights, lots of action - and lots of fun. Some of the acting is pretty cheesy, especially from hammy villain Coombes. The most appealing performer is diminutive, likeable chap DuPlessis, who figures in one extended, amusing montage where he's recruiting fighters for the Barons' team. The leading lady Michelle is quite gorgeous, the scenery is very striking, and it would be hard not to get into the spirit of "Kill or Be Killed" thanks to that rousing music score (which one has to assume is stock music, given that there's no composer credited).
Highly enjoyable for any fan of karate cinema, with engaging heroes and wonderfully despicable antagonists, including one fighter (who kind of resembles Jeff Conaway) constantly making trouble for Steve and Chico.
The ultimate resolution, however, falls short of being really satisfying.
Eight out of 10.
Filmed in South Africa in 1976, but not released in North America until 1980, when martial arts mania was then in full swing, "Kill or Be Killed" is on the low-budget and crude side. The 1981 sequel, "Kill and Kill Again", is a little more polished. While the sequel blatantly goes for tongue-in-cheek, this is played somewhat straighter - still, there's plenty of time for some humour, which helps to make the movie very enjoyable. There's lots of fights, lots of action - and lots of fun. Some of the acting is pretty cheesy, especially from hammy villain Coombes. The most appealing performer is diminutive, likeable chap DuPlessis, who figures in one extended, amusing montage where he's recruiting fighters for the Barons' team. The leading lady Michelle is quite gorgeous, the scenery is very striking, and it would be hard not to get into the spirit of "Kill or Be Killed" thanks to that rousing music score (which one has to assume is stock music, given that there's no composer credited).
Highly enjoyable for any fan of karate cinema, with engaging heroes and wonderfully despicable antagonists, including one fighter (who kind of resembles Jeff Conaway) constantly making trouble for Steve and Chico.
The ultimate resolution, however, falls short of being really satisfying.
Eight out of 10.
Did you know
- TriviaThe film ''Kill or Be Killed'' was originally released in the USA as ''Karate Killer' but had previously been released in English language in its native South Africa under the title of ''Karate Olympiad''.
- GoofsMost of Steve's high jumps are just filmed with him jumping down and then played in reverse.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Dusk to Dawn Drive-in Trash-o-Rama Show Vol. 5 (1998)
- How long is Karate Killer?Powered by Alexa
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