Blind Fury (1989) – Review

The 1980s saw a boom in great action films, with Arnie and Stallone dominating the genre, but in 1989 actor turned producer Tim Matheson would take his love of itinerant blind masseur and Japanese swordsman Zatoichi, and along with star Rutger Hauer, he’d create a rather fun and bizarre action movie, this flick was Blind Fury.

The film follows the story of Nick Parker (Rutger Hauer) a former soldier who lost his sight when he was blinded by a mortar explosion, but instead of wandering off to his death he was rescued by local villagers and while recovering his health he was also trained to master his other senses and to become an expert swordsman. The plot of Blind Fury kicks off when Nick tries to track down his old war buddy Frank Deveraux (Terry O’Quinn), not knowing that he’d been forcefully recruited by crime boss Claude MacCready (Noble Willingham) to create designer drugs, and when Nick arrives at the Deveraux home he is greeted by Nick’s ex-wife (Meg Foster) and his snot-nosed kid Billy (Brandon Call), but before Nick learn much about good ole Frank, two crooked cops and MacCready’s chief henchman Slag (Randall ‘Tex’ Cobb) show up an attempt to kidnap Billy as leverage over Frank.  Sadly, even though Nick is able to fend off the bad guys Frank’s wife is killed – poor Meg Foster – but her dying wish is that Nick protect her son and this leads to our “odd couple” going on a road trip to Reno where Frank is being held.

Planes, Trains and a Blind Swordsman.

As plots go, the one for Blind Fury is pretty silly, with Nick and Billy having numerous encounters with MacCready’s endless supply of inept goons while the main villain is off getting ready to close a big drug deal to save his casino, which requires Deveraux to deliver a top-quality drug mix. Our heroes will team up with Frank’s current girlfriend, Annie Winchester (Lisa Blount), who will lead Nick to where Frank is being held, and the film’s final confrontations is where murderous assholes and blind heroes must prove who has the right stuff. But can Nick’s incredible combat skills, clever resourcefulness and a touch of comedic charm keep him and the kid alive and save the day? As this is your standard action comedy the answer to that is a resounding yes. Rutger Hauer will slash and kill until nary an asshole is left standing, because good guys always win, even in the eighties.

At least as long as bad guys can’t shoot worth shit.

Stray Observations:

• This may be an Americanized “remake” of the 1967 movie Zatoichi Challenged but comic book fans will find Nick Parker’s character a little reminiscent of Stick from the Marvel comic Daredevil.
• Part of Nick Parker’s training involves slashing melons with a katana, which are tossed at him by the villagers, and I’d like to believe this scene inspired the game Fruit Ninja.
• Nick Parker was declared “Missing in Action” and all I can think of is how cool it would be if he’d teamed up with Chuck Norris’s Colonel James Braddock.
• Our hero is able to dispatch numerous thugs with well-executed attacks with his sword/stick, but for some reason, Slag only receives minor non-life-threatening wounds. It’s as if Parker knows that Slag is a main villain and must survive until the last act.
• Legendary martial arts actor Shô Kosugi shows up for the final confrontation as “The Assassin” and he is no stranger to appearing in bizarre American action flicks having already starred in Cannon’s Ninja III: The Domination a few years earlier.

“Only a ninja can kill a ninja!”

What makes Blind Fury so watchable is its ability to inject humour into the most unexpected moments and with one of the wildest collections of villains to appear in an 80s action film there are a lot of opportunities for those moments. It’s Nick’s encounters with these rather giant bad guys – MacCready having employed a gang of eight tough guys including Nick Cassavetes and Rick Overton as two particularly fun and goofy hired killers – that makes this movie so much fun to watch as Nick’s reliance on his heightened senses often leads to hilarious situations as he takes down his opponents one after another, creating a refreshing and unique blend of action and comedy. It should also be noted that the chemistry between Hauer and his young co-star adds an extra layer of heart to the film, making the stakes feel a little higher as they navigate dangerous situations together. As this is a buddy film, with a kid as one of the buddies, director Philip Noyce carefully managed the rated-R material surrounding the violence to appear less gruesome. We may get to see hands lopped off but no one is disembowelled, and for the most part, this balancing act works.

“I hope I’m not cut in half and dropped off a mountain.”

Rutger Hauer delivers an outstanding performance as the blind swordsman, Nick Parker as he effortlessly embodies the character’s duality, showcasing both his physical prowess and his endearing personality. The action sequences are choreographed brilliantly, highlighting Nick’s exceptional abilities despite his blindness. Even if it’s not all that plausible. These scenes are intense and well-executed, providing the necessary adrenaline rush for action aficionados. In terms of direction, Phillip Noyce’s skilful handling of pacing and tone keeps the movie engaging throughout its runtime, and cinematographer Don Burgess perfectly captures the beauty of the landscapes and the intensity of the action, enhancing the overall visual experience. To be fair, the narrative does rely on some clichés and predictable plot points, which might be expected from an ’80s action film, but the strong performances and the film’s ability to balance action with emotion keep it engaging.

Note: The film ends with Nick walking off alone, with his bag slung over his shoulder. All it needed was the sad piano music from The Incredible Hulk to make this perfect.

While this Zatoichi “remake” may not be a flawless masterpiece, nor did it achieve blockbuster status upon its release, it remains a hidden gem within the action-comedy genre. Rutger Hauer’s charismatic performance, coupled with the film’s unexpected blend of action, humour and heart, make it a memorable and enjoyable cinematic experience. Whether you’re a fan of action-packed sequences, heartwarming tales of friendship, or are simply in the mood for a unique cinematic journey, Blind Fury is well worth a watch.