The Challenge
“He has trained every thought, every muscle, every nerve, for the moment of truth!”
Rick, a down-and-out American boxer, is hired to transport a sword to Japan, unaware that the whole thing is a set up in a bitter blood-feud between two brothers, one who follows the traditional path of the samurai and the other a businessman. At the behest of the businessman, Rick undertakes samurai training from the other brother, but joins his cause. He also becomes romantically involved with the samurai's daughter.
Where to watch The Challenge in United States
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Fandango At HomeClick a service to open The Challenge there. Availability last verified on June 21, 2026.
Where is The Challenge streaming around the world?
| Country | Streaming on | Rent / Buy |
|---|---|---|
| United States | — | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home |
| United Kingdom | — | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |
| Canada | — | Apple TV Store |
| Australia | — | Apple TV Store |
| Spain | Filmin | Amazon Video |
About The Challenge
The Challenge is a 1982 English-language action and drama film directed by John Frankenheimer. The cast is led by Scott Glenn, Toshirō Mifune, Donna Kei Benz. It has a runtime of 1h 49m. Viewers rate it 5.9/10 across 100 ratings. In United States, it is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
The Challenge was produced by Poncher-Rosen-Beckman Productions, CBS Theatrical Films, and Polyphony Digital and made in Japan and United States of America. It was released on July 23, 1982, and carries a R certification. At the box office it grossed around $4 million worldwide.
- Director
- John Frankenheimer
- Writers
- Ivan Moffat, John Sayles, Richard Maxwell
- Release date
- July 23, 1982
- Original language
- English
- Age rating
- R
- Status
- Released
- Country
- Japan, United States of America
- Box office
- $4 million
- Production
- Poncher-Rosen-Beckman Productions, CBS Theatrical Films, Polyphony Digital
The Challenge cast & crew
The Challenge was directed by John Frankenheimer and written by Ivan Moffat, John Sayles, and Richard Maxwell.
The cast features Scott Glenn as Rick, Toshirō Mifune as Toru Yoshida, Donna Kei Benz as Akiko Yoshida, Atsuo Nakamura as Hideo Yoshida, Calvin Jung as Ando, and Clyde Kusatsu as Go.
Behind the camera, the score was composed by Jerry Goldsmith, cinematography is by Kōzō Okazaki, and it was produced by Ron Beckman and Robert L. Rosen.
Is The Challenge worth watching?
The Challenge holds an audience score of 5.9/10 from 52 ratings, a more divisive action films.
At 1h 49m, it's a standard feature-length watch.
If you enjoy action and drama, The Challenge is worth a place on your watchlist.
How and where to watch The Challenge
The Challenge isn't on a subscription service in United States right now, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home.
Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.
Rate & review
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Cast of The Challenge
Scott Glenn
Rick
Toshirō Mifune
Toru Yoshida
Donna Kei Benz
Akiko Yoshida
Atsuo Nakamura
Hideo Yoshida
Calvin Jung
Ando
Clyde Kusatsu
Go
Sab Shimono
Toshio Yoshida
Kiyoaki Nagai
Kubo
Kenta Fukasaku
Jiro
Shōgo Shimada
Toru Yoshida's Father
Yoshio Inaba
Instructor
Seiji Miyaguchi
Old Man
The Challenge — FAQs
▸Where can I watch The Challenge in United States?
The Challenge is not on subscription streaming in United States right now, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home.
▸What language is The Challenge in?
The Challenge is originally in English, with audio tracks including Japanese, English. Subtitle and dub options vary by streaming service.
▸How long is The Challenge?
The Challenge runs 1 hours 49 minutes (109 minutes).
▸What is The Challenge rated?
The Challenge is rated R. It holds a 5.9/10 audience score from 52 ratings.
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