Two former ranking figures of the Axis powers schedule a deadly martial arts tournament in an isolated locale. The two rivals then race to assemble the top competitors from around the world,... Read allTwo former ranking figures of the Axis powers schedule a deadly martial arts tournament in an isolated locale. The two rivals then race to assemble the top competitors from around the world, with Steve Hunt being the most sought after fighter.Two former ranking figures of the Axis powers schedule a deadly martial arts tournament in an isolated locale. The two rivals then race to assemble the top competitors from around the world, with Steve Hunt being the most sought after fighter.
Danie Du Plessis
- Chico
- (as Daniel DuPlessis)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
This is a another martial arts movie in my case a true classic. I've always wanted to see this movie when I was younger, but when times have changed, this movie was listed as a "must see" I've looked at video stores in the past, and had no luck until five years later. I've gotten that chance to see it, and it was worth it! It wasn't as violent like most martial arts films, and usually actions are mostly louder than words. The scenes speak for themselves. The weapons scene was a must. I remembered the sword and kama(sickle) fight, at first, I thought they were axes. When I got a closer look, I knew better. It was worth the watch. Then it was the final fight. The most fun scene in my opinion. It was between the hero and the huge guy. The hero was very swift and very cunning. And liked when he laid that flying sidekick on that huge guy. That made the title the way it is; "KILL OR BE KILLED" I rather Kill! If you're slow, you'll be KILLED! Check it out while you still can. It's for the martial arts minded. Rating 2.5 out of 5 stars.
This movie along with Deathwish 3, Hell train, Commando Amazons and a few other gems are on my unintentionally funny top 10. Some highlights include the incredible plot. The story is of a former SS officer battling his WW2 Japanese equivalent to get revenge for a competition that was held before the war. In that competition the Japanese mastermind Miyagi bribed members of the German team to lose with Diamonds because, as Baron Von Rudolph says "THEY ALWAYS HAVE DIAMONDS!!". Poor Von Rudolph is disgraced and dishonourably discharged by the Fuhrer. 40 years later he is thirsty for revenge. As he recounts the story Von Rudolph quakes with emotion, German war music fills the air and there is not a dry eye in the house. Such is the premise of the competition. Some other highlights include a Dwarf and his doll and action star James Ryan IV dismantling a car with his bare hands to turn it into a sail car for the desert!! Oh yea the martial arts action isnt too bad either. A must rent for the b-movie enthusiast.
There's some great stuff in here but the plot is needlessly convoluted and the editing choppy. The fighting is solid in parts, awkward in others but the amateurish moviemaking is what hurts it the most. It was almost like they made it up as they went along/filmed out of order/put it together out of order/didn't have a solid script. Okay cult movie, but hardly a must watch.
If you're not expecting an Oscar performance, then you just might like this movie! Forget the script, forget the acting. Some great fight scenes, some phony karate screaming, and a dozen or so GREAT one-liners while the fighters train will keep you entertained.
This was bloodsport arena-like fighting long before van damme.
This was bloodsport arena-like fighting long before van damme.
I first saw this in the late 80s on a vhs n liked it a lot.
Revisited it recently.
This movie is a self proclaimed greatest martial arts movie but if u sit down to watch it, u will be disappointed cos none of the fight sequence is noteworthy, of course it is laughable.
It is nothing but a rip off of Enter the Dragon minus the star cast n fight sequences.
The film has lots of action but it is not at all violent like Sonny Chiba's movies. What they stole from Chiba are his whistles.
Our main guy in this movie keeps on making whistling faces.
Our main guy while fighting a muscular hulky fella, keeps on jumping on and off a mountain without even touching his opponent.
Do watch out for the desert vehicle n how our main guy fights off dogs.
Revisited it recently.
This movie is a self proclaimed greatest martial arts movie but if u sit down to watch it, u will be disappointed cos none of the fight sequence is noteworthy, of course it is laughable.
It is nothing but a rip off of Enter the Dragon minus the star cast n fight sequences.
The film has lots of action but it is not at all violent like Sonny Chiba's movies. What they stole from Chiba are his whistles.
Our main guy in this movie keeps on making whistling faces.
Our main guy while fighting a muscular hulky fella, keeps on jumping on and off a mountain without even touching his opponent.
Do watch out for the desert vehicle n how our main guy fights off dogs.
Did you know
- TriviaThe film ''Kill or Be Killed'' was originally released in the USA as ''Karate Killer' but had previously been released in English language in its native South Africa under the title of ''Karate Olympiad''.
- GoofsMost of Steve's high jumps are just filmed with him jumping down and then played in reverse.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Dusk to Dawn Drive-In Trash-o-Rama Show Vol. 5 (1998)
- How long is Karate Killer?Powered by Alexa
Details
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content