This film's title literally translates as KARATE ON THE BOSPHORUS although it's been re-titled NINJA KILLER for VHS release. This is purely because of the scene early on in which three guys in balaclavas attack - there's nothing else to do with ninjas in it. The film itself is a Hong Kong/Turkish production, made at a time that Hong Kong producers were keen to team up with other countries to help spread the popularity of kung fu around the world, hence the Shaw Brothers/Hammer Horror feature LEGEND OF THE 7 GOLDEN VAMPIRES.
KARATE ON THE BOSPHORUS is something of a culture clash and, like the later Godfrey Ho ninja films, it feels like two separate stories rather than one combined whole. There's a separate storyline filmed in Hong Kong which makes up about a third of the running time while the main action is set in Turkey. The Turkish scenes feature a couple of Chinese actors in support but is otherwise a straight-up action vehicle for Turkish leading man Cuneyt Arkin.
Fans of Hong Kong cinema will be delighted by the pairing of Bolo Yeung and Chiang Tao for the Chinese moments. They both play villains who variously fight and team up, and the action is brief but effective. It's a pity that these guys didn't go off to Turkey themselves but then you can't have everything. The Arkin stuff is more of a typical police procedural but it does have near-constant movement and action to recommend it. The Turkish buildings and locations used as a background for the tale are utilised very effectively making this a visual treat. The quality of the fights isn't the greatest but at least there are plenty of them. The soundtrack is also very interesting, updating classical favourites with a 1970s-era groove. It's not a great film, but fans of global action cinema will be interested to see it nonetheless.
KARATE ON THE BOSPHORUS is something of a culture clash and, like the later Godfrey Ho ninja films, it feels like two separate stories rather than one combined whole. There's a separate storyline filmed in Hong Kong which makes up about a third of the running time while the main action is set in Turkey. The Turkish scenes feature a couple of Chinese actors in support but is otherwise a straight-up action vehicle for Turkish leading man Cuneyt Arkin.
Fans of Hong Kong cinema will be delighted by the pairing of Bolo Yeung and Chiang Tao for the Chinese moments. They both play villains who variously fight and team up, and the action is brief but effective. It's a pity that these guys didn't go off to Turkey themselves but then you can't have everything. The Arkin stuff is more of a typical police procedural but it does have near-constant movement and action to recommend it. The Turkish buildings and locations used as a background for the tale are utilised very effectively making this a visual treat. The quality of the fights isn't the greatest but at least there are plenty of them. The soundtrack is also very interesting, updating classical favourites with a 1970s-era groove. It's not a great film, but fans of global action cinema will be interested to see it nonetheless.