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Lightning Karate Blow

Lightning Karate Blow

1956 · 59 min · Action

Ken Takakura's screen debut, following his admission into Toei ranks via the studio's annual New Faces program, came surprisingly enough in this pair of Okinawa karate films. The two-parter was released on Jan. 29, 1956 as two thirds of a triple feature. Both halves run just under one hour. The fighting is actually pretty good for the time, and it's fun to see Takakura as an impatient, bearded karate rascal.

Directed by Fujio Tsuda · Written by Taihei Kobayashi

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Make it a double feature

2h 34m together

Lightning Karate Blow

Black Belt

A close match in mood and era.

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