Enter the Ninja

Enter the Ninja is a 1981 American martial arts film directed by Menahem Golan and starring Franco Nero, Sho Kosugi, Susan George and Christopher George. The film is about a martial artist named Cole (Nero) who is visiting his friend Frank in the Philippines. On arrival, Cole learns that his friend is being harassed by the wealthy businessman Charles Venarius who wants Frank's land for the oil underneath. Venarius is continuously thwarted by Cole who defends Frank and his wife with his martial arts skills. Learning of Cole's presence, Venarius hires his own ninja (Kosugi).

The film was originally intended to be directed by Emmett Alston and to star Mike Stone. Early in the production, Alston was replaced by Golan but stayed on as 2nd unit director, and Stone was replaced with Nero, but stayed on as fight double and fight/stunt coordinator. The film began a craze of ninja-themed Hollywood films during the early 1980s and was the first film in Cannon Films' Ninja Trilogy, an anthology series which includes Revenge of the Ninja (1983) and Ninja III: The Domination (1984). The film launched the career of Sho Kosugi, who went on to play the leading role in both the film's sequels, while also starring in other 1980s ninja-themed films and television shows such as The Master (1984).

Cole, a mercenary and veteran of the Namibian War of Independence, completes his ninjutsu training in Japan. Cole goes to visit his war buddy Frank Landers and his wife of two years, Mary Ann Landers, who are the owners of a large piece of farming land in the Philippines. Cole soon finds that the Landers are being repeatedly harassed by Charles Venarius, the wealthy CEO of Venarius Industries, in order to get them to sell their property because, unbeknownst to them, a large oil deposit is located beneath their land. Cole thwarts the local henchmen Venarius has hired to bully and coerce the Landers.

Cole and Frank infiltrate Venarius' base, and defeat a number of his henchmen. In the aftermath, Frank gets drunk and confesses to Cole that he is impotent. Mary Ann comes to Cole that night and they have an affair. Venarius, learning that Cole is a ninja, hires a ninja of his own to eliminate Frank and Cole - Hasegawa, who is a rival of Cole from their old training days.

Hasegawa strikes the Landers' estate at night, killing Frank in front of Mary Anne, then abducting her to Venarius' martial arts arena. Cole enters, and picks off the henchmen one by one before ultimately killing Venarius. Hasegawa releases Mary Ann, and the two ninja engage in a final battle. Cole defeats Hasegawa, who begs to be allowed to die with honor, Cole agrees and kills him.

Enter the Ninja was based on an original story that Karate champion Mike Stone presented to Menahem Golan of Cannon Films, who became involved in the production in late fall 1980, with the intent of creating an American film about ninjutsu. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) produced the film for $4 million, as part of a multi-project film and television deal with The Cannon Group. The film was initially set to star Stone himself.

Principal photography began on January 12, 1981, in the Philippines and in Tokyo, Japan, under the direction of Emmett Alston. Shooting began in Manila in February with producer Golan replacing Alston as director and Franco Nero replacing Stone in the lead role. Stone received onscreen credit for the film's story, fight choreography, and stunt coordination. Principal photography concluded in March. The filming location for Venarius Industries was shot at Solar Century Tower in Manila. Komori's dojo and fight scene was filmed at the Japanese Garden in Rizal Park, Manila.

Cannon planned to screen the film at the Cannes Film Festival, which was followed by promotional material stating the film would be released during the Easter season in 1982. In August 1981, the film opened in Germany and France. The film also played in Arizona in October the same year. The film opened in Los Angeles on April 30, 1982.