Film Review: Blind Fury (1989)

One of the most popular series in history of Japanese cinema was dedicated to the character of blind Edo period swordsman Zatoichi. When American actor Tim Matheson wanted to try his hand at producing, he decided to do it in the form of American remake of Zatoichi. The result was Blind Fury, 1989 action film directed by Phillip Noyce.

The protagonist, played by Rutger Hauer, is Nick Parker, American soldier who, during Vietnam War, gets wounded by enemy mortar. He is picked up by friendly local tribesmen who nurse him back to health, but can’t save his sight. Although blind, Nick stays in the village where is taught swordfighting skills which he would develop specifically for his condition. Two decades later he is back in United States where he tries to find his old comrade Frank Deveraux (played by Terry O’Quinn). Instead, he finds only Deveraux ex wife Lynn (played by Meg Foster) and young son Billy (played by Brandon Call). Before he can get in touch in Frank, Deveraux’s home is attacked by hired thugs that kill Lynn and attempt to abduct Billy. Nick defeats them and starts travelling to Reno, where Frank, who now works as chemist, is held captive by Claude MacCready (played by Noble Willingham), casino owner who wants to use Frank’s talents to produce synthetic drugs. Nick with the help of Frank’s girlfriend Annie (played by Lisa Blount) tries to set his friend free, but first must defeat small army of MacCready’s thugs.

Produced with relatively low budget, Blind Fury features rather generic script by Charles Robert Carner that represents the weakest element of the film. It is never properly explained why tribesmen decided to shelter and adopt Parker as their own and teach them their skills. General tone of the film shifts from sometimes very dark and ultra-violent elements with bloodshed and mutilation to light comedy. The ending in which Parker leaves his friend’s family to seek new adventure also isn’t properly explained. However, all those flaws are compensated by confident direction of Phillip Noyce, Australian film maker with very versatile filmography, including some very good examples of the action genre. Noyce here moves things very quickly, allowing audience to enjoy in some great martial arts and stuntwork, combined with humour. Rutger Hauer feels quite confident in his role and plays it with great ease, that would become standard later, after finding his niche as star of low budget action films. Supporting cast is also very good, although some of the character actors can’t display their skills because of poorly written or one-dimensional characters. The exception can be found in Nick Cassavettes and Rick Overton as duo of comically inept assassins. Japanese martial artist and star of Ninja films Sho Kosugi, who plays as the only of MacCready’s henchmen who could match the protagonist, appears very late in the film in what is in essence glorified cameo. Blind Fury flopped at the box office but later enjoyed much better success on home video. All those who watch it now might say that the latter was quite deserving.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

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