Ninja Condors (1987) | Insane Cult Ninja Action Classic | VHSSB

<p>Leigh&#39;s pick takes us deep into the wonderfully unhinged world of 1980s Taiwanese ninja cinema with <em>Ninja Condors</em>, also known as <em>Ninjas, Condors 13</em>. Directed by Wu Kuo-Ren, credited on some releases as James Wu, the film was written by prolific exploitation filmmaker Godfrey Ho and produced by Chin Chang-Liang and Tomas Tang. Alexander Lo Rei leads a cast that also includes Eugene Thomas, George Nicholas, Jack Long, Li Hai-Hsing and <em>Five Venoms</em> veteran Lu Feng. No reliable published production budget appears to have survived, which somehow feels entirely appropriate for a film this gloriously rough around the edges.</p><p>Released in 1987 as the Taiwanese ninja boom was beginning to wind down, <em>Ninja Condors</em> has endured as exactly the sort of cult VHS discovery we love: cheap, frantic, dubbed, frequently ridiculous and absolutely committed to delivering martial-arts action. Contemporary cult reviews have since embraced its relentless energy, inventive fights and general refusal to let narrative logic get in the way of another ninja appearing from somewhere. It may not have troubled the major awards ceremonies, but nearly forty years later people are still talking about it — which is probably a greater achievement anyway.</p><p><strong>TRAILER GUY PLOT SYNOPSIS</strong></p><p>Brian watched his father die in front of him as a child. Years later, he has become <strong>White Eagle</strong> — a deadly ninja working for a criminal organisation ruled by a man with the reassuringly subtle name of... <strong>Lucifer</strong>.</p><p>But when Brian&#39;s loyalty is pushed too far, the White Eagle decides he&#39;s had enough. Now the organisation that trained him is about to discover the unfortunate consequences of employing an elite assassin who suddenly develops a conscience.</p><p>There will be revenge. There will be ninjas. There will be weapons, gunfire and several moments where asking sensible questions is strongly discouraged. This is <strong>NINJA CONDORS</strong>.</p><p><strong>FUN FACTS</strong></p><ul><li><p>The film is also known as <strong>Ninjas, Condors 13</strong> and <strong>Knight Revenger</strong>, because apparently one title containing both ninjas and condors still wasn&#39;t enough.</p></li><li><p>Alexander Lo Rei was something of a veteran of the Taiwanese ninja craze, with credits including <em>The Super Ninja</em>, <em>Ninja Hunter</em>, <em>Ninja Kids</em>, <em>Secret of Ninja</em> and <em>Ninja in US