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Chuck Norris, Karen Carlson, Lee Van Cleef, Tadashi Yamashita, Carol Bagdasarian ... see more see more... , Kim Lankford , Art Hindle , Kurt Grayson , Yuki Shimoda , Larry D. Mann , John Fujioka , Jack Carter , Ted Duncan , Ken Gibbel , Redmond Gleeson , Ernie Hudson , Brian Libby , Enrique Lucero , Jo McDonnell , Gerald Okamura , Carlos Romano , Brian Tochi , Aaron Norris , Richard Norton , Don Pike , Kevin Brando , Elizabeth Carder , Crane Jackson , Alan Marcus , John Gilbert Barrett

Karate champ Chuck Norris returns for another chop-socky vigilante flick in The Octagon, one of a handful of undistinguished Ninja pictures released during the early '80s. Norris appropriately plays a... read more read more... retired karate champ hired as a bodyguard for a wealthy woman (Karen Carlson) plagued by a gang of vicious ninjas. Reluctant at first to take the job, he reconsiders when he learns the gang is headed by his longtime arch rival Tadashi Yamashita (Lee Van Cleef). The script -- as is the case in nearly every Ninja film -- has holes bigger than Okinawa, and the acting is downright atrocious, particularly that of Norris, who, thankfully, improved with time. However, the production values are fair, as is the direction, and the action sequences are often exciting and comparatively realistic. Recommended for genre fans only. ~ Jeremy Beday, Rovi

Flixster Users

40% liked it

5,143 ratings

Critics

20% liked it

5 critics

R, 1 hr. 43 min.

Directed by: Eric Karson

Release Date: August 14, 1980

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DVD Release Date: August 17, 2004

Stats: 231 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (231)

  • deano
    March 21, 2007
    deano
    It's my first-time American martial arts movie to deal with ninjas I watched. Super duel between Chuck Norris and the excellent Tadashi Yamashita, instead comes an unbelievable letdown.
  • patrickdol
    February 28, 2008
    patrickdol
    My first Chuck Norris flick (save Sidekicks) and I gotta say, I didn't miss much.
    I mean this film is basically worth watching for yucks only. There are some incredible unintentional laughs (ie Chucks inner monologue (that appears an absurd amount) posseses an echoey whisper to ... read moreit that just kills me). I never realised how gentle souled Chuck seems either. Plus, in 2008, the presence of ninjas in a film is just ridiculous.
    This sucker was a hoot, but I know I didn't miss much with the lack of Norris in my childhood.
    P.S. The joke that Chuck has no chin, that under his beard is just another fist, is sadly debunked in this film as he only has a creepy mustache.
  • cobraeaglebigduke
    December 7, 2008
    cobraeaglebigduke
    this movie is about his brother who is trainning ninja to kill and chuck stops him by going to were he is
  • didis56000
    September 14, 2007
    didis56000
    One of my favorites he shows a lot of his martial art skills and acting of course like the octagon fight really kicks butt
  • jeffman52001
    July 6, 2007
    jeffman52001
    Chuck Norris kicks ass in this 1980 classic Martial-Arts film. He is up against a goup of ninjas that are going to make a traing camp for terrorists. Chuck Norris is awesome and the other cast members are awesome, too.
  • nealhassler
    January 20, 2007
    nealhassler
    I haven't actually seen this movie yet, but it follows Einstein's seventh law of physics: Chuck Norris Low Budget Ninjas= Movie Greatness.
  • richardcardellioni
    November 14, 2006
    richardcardellioni
    Pretty decent Chuck Norris flick. Makes you wonder. How many chucks could a Chuck Norris chuck if a Chuck Norris could chuck Norris.

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Critic Reviews

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Chuck O'Leary
September 27, 2005
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily

No review available.

Michael Szymanski
September 25, 2005
Michael Szymanski, International Press Academy

No review available.

Emanuel Levy
July 23, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Daniel M. Kimmel
May 14, 2004
Daniel M. Kimmel, Worcester Telegram & Gazette

No review available.

Michelle Alexandria
May 14, 2004
Michelle Alexandria, Eclipse Magazine

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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The Octagon Trivia

  • What shape was the piece of "sky" that falls in "Chicken Little"?  Answer »
  • In "The Octagon" staring Chuck Norris, what actor played 'Black Star'?  Answer »
  • In which movie was Chuck Norris a ninja?   Answer »
  • In what movie does Chuck Norris infiltrate the ninja crime ring that killed his friend?   Answer »
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