The Challenge

The Challenge Theatrical Release Poster Country USA Directed by John Frankenheimer Release Date 1982 Language English, Japanese Studio CBS Theatrical Films Distributor Embassy Pictures Main Cast Character Actor Rick Murphy Scott Glenn Toru Yoshida Toshirô Mifune Hideo Yoshida Atsuo Nakamura Ando Calvin Jung Akiko Yoshida Donna Kei Benz Go Clyde Kusatsu Toshio Yoshida Sab Shimono Knifeman Hisashi Osaka

The Challenge is a 1982 American martial-arts action film directed by John Frankenheimer. Scott Glenn plays Rick Murphy, a down-on-his-luck boxer who is approached to smuggle an heirloom katana sword from Los Angeles to Japan. Murphy quickly becomes embroiled in a decades-long feud between two brothers, one who walks the traditional path of the samurai and another who is a business tycoon.

This film, unusual for the era, was filmed almost entirely on location in Kyoto and Osaka, Japan with many Japanese actors and extras on the crew. As such, the majority of firearms that appear onscreen are Japanese-made flashpaper replicas.

The following weapons were used in the film The Challenge:

Pistols

MGC M1911A1

Ando (Calvin Jung) and other Yakuza thugs employed by Hideo Yoshida use various M1911 pistols, some of which are equipped with suppressors. Due to the spark-heavy muzzle flashes, lack of recoil, and the Japanese filming locations, these are likely MGC replicas.

MGC M1911A1

Knifeman (Hisashi Osaka) fires his suppressed M1911A1 .

A Yakuza thug fires his M1911A1.

Ando (Calvin Jung) aims his M1911A1.

Ando fires his M1911A1 in Hideo's office.

Rifles

Unknown Bolt-action Rifle

Hideo's knifeman uses a bolt-action rifle of unknown make in a brief scene

The rifle is only visible in this brief scene.

MGC CAR-15

Several of the security guards at Hideo's complex use CAR-15’s. Rick Murphy (Scott Glenn) takes one off a dead guard and uses it until it runs out of ammunition. He then obtains another one from a different dead guard and uses it for the remainder of the fight. He discards it in favor of fighting Hideo with a katana sword. Akiko (Donna Kei Benz) is later seen brandishing it. The dull finish, lack of recoil, and the half-open adjustable stock confirm it to be an MGC CAR-15 replica.

MGC CAR-15 replica.

A guard fires his CAR-15 at Toru Yoshida. The other guard is using an M3A1 "Grease Gun".

Rick takes a MGC CAR-15 from a dead guard.

Rick fires the CAR-15 at Hideo's guards.

Rick and Toru surprise each other during the final battle.

Rick holds the CAR-15 on Hideo.

Akiko (Donna Kei Benz) holds the rifle at the conclusion of the battle.

Rick is seen holding the rifle in a production still.

Submachine Guns

M3A1 "Grease Gun"

Many of the armed security guards at Hideo Yoshida’s complex are armed with M3A1 "Grease Guns". The lack of recoil and spark-heavy muzzle flash reveals them to be Japanese replicas.

M3A1 "Grease Gun"

A guard ventures forth with an M3A1.

The guard fires his M3A1 into the dark.

A guard in riot gear advances with his M3A1.

The guard fires his M3A1.

MP40

At least one of the security guards at Yoshida’s complex is seen using an MP40, also likely an MGC replica.

MGC replica MP40.

A guard holds a replica MP40 as they are fired upon.