American Samurai (1992)
A Cannon Group martial arts thriller pitting a sword-wielding journalist against deadly underground fighters in a battle for honor and survival.
American Samurai - Movie Information
- Original Title: American Samurai
- Release Year: 1992
- Directed by: Sam Firstenberg
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action
- Runtime: 1h 27m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 22, 1992 (Argentina), March 3, 1993 (United States), December 22, 1992 (Germany - 18), December 22, 1992 (Spain - 18)
- Alternative Titles: Samurái americano (MX), Samurai Americano (BR)
- Production Companies: The Cannon Group, Global Pictures
- Production Countries: Turkey, United States of America
American Samurai - Plot
A martial artist working as a reporter tries to track down his family's sword passed down by his adopted Japanese father. He soon finds himself fighting for his life in a brutal underground tournament.
American Samurai - Trailer
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American Samurai - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Sam Firstenberg
Main Cast
- David Bradley
- Mark Dacascos
- Rex Ryon
- Valarie Trapp
- John Fujioka
- Douglas 'Rocky' McDonald
- Ron Vreeken
- Dion Lam
- Antony Szeto
- Aryeh Moskona
Writers
- John Corcoran
Producers
- Allan Greenblatt
American Samurai - FAQs
What is American Samurai about?
American Samurai follows Drew Collins, a martial artist and journalist who sets out to recover his late adoptive Japanese father's prized sword after it's stolen. His search pulls him into a savage underground fighting tournament where he must battle for his life against deadly opponents.
Who are the main actors in American Samurai?
The film stars David Bradley as the lead Drew Collins and Mark Dacascos as his rival Kenjiro Sanga. The supporting cast includes Rex Ryon, Valarie Trapp, and John Fujioka, who plays the adoptive Japanese father central to the story's emotional core.
Where can you stream American Samurai?
You can catch American Samurai on fuboTV as part of a subscription, or watch it for free on Plex Channel and Fawesome. If you'd rather own or rent it, Fandango At Home has you covered with both purchase and rental options.
Who directed American Samurai?
Sam Firstenberg directed American Samurai. He was a prolific action filmmaker who worked extensively with The Cannon Group during the 1980s and early 1990s, helming other martial arts and action favorites like Ninja III: The Domination and Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo.
Is American Samurai based on a true story?
No, American Samurai is a fictional action story written by John Corcoran. It draws on martial arts cinema traditions and the underground tournament genre rather than any real-world events, blending samurai sword culture with the gritty fighting-circuit formula popular in early 1990s action films.
Where was American Samurai filmed?
American Samurai was filmed primarily in Turkey, which provided the atmospheric backdrops for the film's underground tournament sequences. It was a co-production between Turkey and the United States, a common arrangement for Cannon Group productions of that era looking to maximize budget efficiency.
What is Mark Dacascos's role in American Samurai?
Mark Dacascos plays Kenjiro Sanga, the antagonist and rival to David Bradley's Drew Collins. Kenjiro is the biological son of the adoptive Japanese father they share, making their conflict deeply personal. It was an early role for Dacascos before he became widely known for films like Drive and Brotherhood of the Wolf.
What are some movies similar to American Samurai?
If you enjoyed American Samurai, you might like other early 1990s martial arts action films with underground tournament storylines. Films such as Never Back Down: Revolt, Embattled, and Vendetta share similar themes of fighters pushed to their limits in high-stakes combat arenas.
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