New York Ninja coming from Vinegar Syndrome

[BunyipPouch]

Newly announced, inaugural release from Vinegar Syndrome Pictures.

"VSP's initial release slate will kick off with NEW YORK NINJA, a wild action comedy originally directed by and starring John Liu, and produced by legendary New York exploitation producer Arthur Schweitzer. While NINJA was shot entirely on 35mm in 1984, the project was abandoned during production resulting in all original sound materials, scripts and treatments going missing. The rights and unedited original negative were subsequently acquired by Vinegar Syndrome, who have meticulously constructed and completed the film, enlisting the talents of genre film superstars Don "The Dragon" Wilson, Michael Berryman and Cynthia Rothrock to voice the leads. NINJA will receive its world festival premiere this Fall where it will be presented by Vinegar Syndrome's Kurtis Spieler, who spearheaded the project, with additional details on home video and digital distribution to be announced."

https://youtu.be/X1wMt3fgOyM

[Rayjg]

This could be interesting. So this a unfinished film from 1984 that they've completed and not a film that is meant to look like it was shot and left incomplete 37 years ago? All these retro films and TV specials are making things a little confusing lately.

[hudson4k]

Originally Posted by Rayjg

This could be interesting. So this a unfinished film from 1984 that they've completed and not a film that is meant to look like it was shot and left incomplete 37 years ago? All these retro films and TV specials are making things a little confusing lately.

Yes, it was actually left incomplete 37 years ago. Sounds awesome

[dylrichard02]

Looks like a great time! Definitely will pick this up!

[whiteberry]

It looks like they were planning to release it in the Los Angeles market in the summer of 1986. This is from a 1986 Los Angeles Times article:

The following list isn’t meant as a definitive tabulation because many film projects are still in planning. But this is an ample sampling of what will grace our marquees this year.

SUMMER

“New York Ninja"--International karate champ John Liu is a TV technician who turns vengeful ninja, following the brutal murder of his wife. (21st Century)

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-...001-story.html

It also had a theme song recorded by Bronx Style Bob:

As a member of Afrika Bambaataa's Universal Zulu Nation and taking the name "Bronx Style Bob", his first release was in 1985 for the soundtrack to the movie New York Ninja, and in 1986, he embarked on his first tour as a member of the Magnificent Force breakdance crew.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronx_Style_Bob

BRONX STYLE BOB - N.Y. NINJA - '' RARE '' EXTENDED SCRATCH MIX ( HIGH QUALITY ) - YouTube

https://www.discogs.com/Bronx-Style-.../master/539385

A biography of John Liu:
https://www.facebook.com/reeleast/po...2807735806821/

From the comments:

I worked with him and talked a lot about kung fu movies with him during an early 80s shoot of never completed film, NEW YORK NINJA. He was super nice, easy to work with and spoke good English.

He was so patient and polite on the set at all times.

[El_Fez]

The trailer looks pretty fun. I expect this will live on my shelf right next to The Miami Connection!

[MadCocoG]

Looks really interesting, with Lucinda Dickey, Cynthia Rothrock and Don “The Dragon” Wilson this might be a really good blind buy

[WaverBoy]

Looks super fun! I’m in. I wish VS would release more kung fu schlock from the ‘80s — like this one:

https://youtu.be/IlfNjPkaBf4

[Rayjg]

So no egg salad recipe in this one

[HipsterTrash]

Getting some Miami Connection vibes. love it so far. Def nabbing this.

[OldPangYau]

Considering they're actually prepping this for a theatrical release (most likely for Alamo Drafthouses), and had access to literally ALL of the negatives, I'd be shocked if this doesn't end up being one of their 4K releases.

[jmilo61]

This seems like a fascinating project. I have no doubt the end product won't be for everyone, but it definitely will be for me.

If I understand correctly the script and audio were completely lost. So essentially an entirely new script had to be created for the new voice actors.

Knowing VS, their goal was surely to get the end result as close to the filmmakers original intent as possible, but I wonder how much they had to go on and how close they think they got it.

Did they a detailed storyline at least, or did they have nothing but the silent film to go on, and had to come up with their own storyline as best they could make it work with the footage they had?

I'm generally only minorly interested in special features, I'll check them out if I have time but don't fret if I don't watch everything (or anything beyond the movie itself) on a disc. But I imagine I'll be all over every second of bonus material on this disc when it comes out. I'm eager to know more about such rare project.

[Rayjg]

Originally Posted by whiteberry

It looks like they were planning to release it in the Los Angeles market in the summer of 1986. This is from a 1986 Los Angeles Times article:




https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-...001-story.html

It also had a theme song recorded by Bronx Style Bob:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronx_Style_Bob

BRONX STYLE BOB - N.Y. NINJA - '' RARE '' EXTENDED SCRATCH MIX ( HIGH QUALITY ) - YouTube
https://www.discogs.com/Bronx-Style-.../master/539385

A biography of John Liu:
https://www.facebook.com/reeleast/po...2807735806821/

From the comments:

I hope the theme song makes into the finished film.

[DaveyJoe]

This looks amazing.

[Rayjg]

I wonder how many films VS has that are in the same condition. Everything filmed but post-production never finished. There must be dozens of films in this condition, assuming they weren't trashed or recycled into other films.

[meremortal]

Said it several times, but I'm still surprised there have been few releases from the massive 80s-90s erotic thriller archive. I'd imagine at least a decent few were shot on film.

[DrEricVornoff]

So is this not getting a physical release as of now??

I'm a little confused by the press release...

I don't live anywhere near a big city so seeing it in a theater setting is kind of out for me...

So I'm crossing my fingers that this will get a physical release sooner than later...


Also... it looks like this will be 4K (at least according to this site's listing)... if so I'm even more excited!

[Bradsdadg]

Originally Posted by DrEricVornoff

So is this not getting a physical release as of now??

I'm a little confused by the press release...

I don't live anywhere near a big city so seeing it in a theater setting is kind of out for me...

So I'm crossing my fingers that this will get a physical release sooner than later...


Also... it looks like this will be 4K (at least according to this site's listing)... if so I'm even more excited!

It is a bit confusing with the wording on their initial release. It says their release slate will kick off with New York Ninja. But it doesn't give any clue as to when it will be up for preorder.

It then goes on to say Censor will be the title released after NY Ninja. That one says it will be available to preorder later this month!

So...

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by DrEricVornoff

So is this not getting a physical release as of now??

I'm a little confused by the press release...

I don't live anywhere near a big city so seeing it in a theater setting is kind of out for me...

So I'm crossing my fingers that this will get a physical release sooner than later...


Also... it looks like this will be 4K (at least according to this site's listing)... if so I'm even more excited!

Brad Henderson told me on Twitter that all information about home video would be revealed in time.

[mikezilla2]

I want this !