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NINJA IN THE CLAWS OF THE CIA is part of our Vinegar Syndrome Archive collection, celebrating forgotten cinematic oddities from the video store era. This collection was inspired by our own brick & mortar video stores, with locations in Bridgeport, CT; Aurora, CO and soon to come Toronto, ON!
Unique to this line, each hand numbered limited edition release will come fitted in a specially designed, bottom loading VHS inspired slipcase, while also including a double-sided poster.
These releases will ONLY be available on our website and at participating indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them. This slipcase edition (designed by Robert Sammelin) is strictly limited to 5,000 units and may (but probably not) be followed by a standard edition in the future.
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John Liu is a world renowned martial arts expert who is recruited by the C.I.A. after his twin brother James Liu is injured. John's mission is to turn a ragtag bunch of soldiers into fierce fighters by teaching them the ways of martial arts. Unhappy by John's presence, a rogue military officer uses an emotionally unstable soldier named Wong to challenge John's physical abilities (as well as a sexy female soldier to challenge his mental focus!). Unbeknownst to John, the C.I.A. is conducting secret experiments on the soldiers by using hypnosis as a form of mind control. With the help of a data analyst named Caroline, John soon uncovers the truth behind the secret experiments, and together he and his new love interest flee with classified documents. Now on the run, John and Caroline are hunted throughout the world as danger lurks around every corner and no one can be trusted. Their only hope to survive is for John to use his martial arts skills as well as his cunning in order to stay one step ahead of their dangerous pursuers.
Written, directed, and starring martial artist John Liu (New York Ninja, Secret Rivals) in one of his many vanity projects, NINJA IN THE CLAWS OF THE C.I.A. (aka MADE IN CHINA) is a truly mind bending experience that defies logic as well as categorization. Shot primarily in Spain, NINJA IN THE CLAWS OF THE C.I.A. is an unusual martial arts film, not only due to its outrageous plot, but due to the fact that it feels more like a Eurocentric cult film thanks in part to its many filming locations as well as numerous international genre actors. Featuring "The Human Tornado" himself, Ho Wang (Warriors Two), as well as Mirta Miller (Santo vs. Doctor Death), Roger Paschy (Dragon Blood), Chrisitan Anders (Roots of Evil), Raquel Evans (Emmanuelle y Carol), and Spanish character actor Victor Israel (Horror Express). Vinegar Syndrome Archive is proud to present this one of a kind martial arts film for the first time on Blu ray, newly restored from original film elements, and featuring additional scenes only present in the Spanish release, including an extended version of the now infamous training sequence where John Liu has to fight while trying to avoid being seduced!
directed by: John Liu
starring: John Liu, Mirta Miller, Ho Wang, Roger Paschy, Christian Anders, Raquel Evans, Victor Israel
1981 / 88 min / 1.85:1 / English Mono with Spanish language inserts
Additional info:
Overall rating: 4.364066 / 5 from 423 reviews.
This limited edition Blu-ray release of Ninja in the Claws of the CIA, part of the Vinegar Syndrome Archive collection, is celebrated for its stunning artwork, exceptional packaging, and crisp transfer. Customers highly recommend the film for its entertaining qualities and well-executed action sequences.
Review topics: ["quality","shipping","design","picture","looks","feel","packaging","work","case","sound","cover","buy","fit","movie","film","release","ninja","fun","transfer","artwork","art","acting","features","project","scenes","restoration","title","flick","dubbing","vsa"].
"Honestly not the best title I've seen, plot was all over the place, but as a delivery method for some decent fight sequences it's good enough, and in line with what's expected for much of this genre. Picture quality was ok, as was the sound, but the dubbing sounds like it was all done by 3 guys. I do like the artwork though, looks very good."
"Always fun to watch an ego-driven action film. In this case, it has a bit of everything: action, fighting, sexual politics, questionable dubbing, and great locations. The commentary is really good and the print looks great. Slipcase was great."
"Fun hangout flick to turn on while having a few beers."
"This edition rocks, love this release. Bonkers action as expected on the VSA line. Packaging is great."
"Bought it for one scene . . . you know what scene I'm talking about. Raquel Evans is a hot lady and she deserve the credit for it. The rest of the movie is stupid fun and senseless action. Raquel Evans made it for me."
"Ninja In The Claws Of The CIA has nothing to do with ninjas. However, don't let that discourage you. Ninja In The Claws Of The CIA is a vehicle for John Liu. It's written, directed, produced and acted by John Liu. That means that this movie is all about John Liu. His character is also named John Liu that is a martial arts instructor that is a master of his own brand of martial arts. Once this special brand of martial arts and hypnosis is being used by the Russians, John Liu is recruited by the CIA to train soldiers in this martial art. The rest of the plot to the movie is convoluted as Hell. Probably because John Liu had a hard time wearing all these creative hats and didn't have enough money. The movie in style is a cross between old school kung fu flick and 80's Cannon action movie (except with a smaller budget than a Cannon flick). There is a whole lot of outrageous stuff happening and lots of action. In addition to kicking tons of ass, he gets a lot of it from the ladies too. Danny Lee (from The Killer) appears in the beginning of the movie and the fight scenes are top tier. This movie has a lot of flaws and looks really cheap. If you love 70's/early 80's Hong Kong and Taiwanese martial arts cinema and can't get enough of the Chuck Norris movies and love the shortlived Ninja craze in the early to mid 80's then this is the movie for you. It's got John Liu, and that means you are guaranteed some good kung fu."
"ninja b cinema"
"Finally I was able this get this! The quality is amazing as per usual! Great packaging and art work! 10/10"
"Mind-expanding meditation on intercontinental espionage."
"Glad I could pick this up during a restock. Not a ton of special features but still a pretty cool release. If it ever happens to come in stock once again, snap it up."
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