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Crime Cult Classic

A Vietnam vet’s ninja visions collide with arms smuggling in San Sebastian.

BLACK FIRE

Sgt. Frank Johnson is a man without a past. Now they want to take away his future. Death and destruction is his only way out.

1986 · 1h 25m · NR · Crime / Action / War · IMDB TMDB

After suffering a concussion from a grenade blast in Vietnam, Sgt. Frank Johnson has been getting flashes of his childhood in which strangely he is a ninja. Because of this, he is given a codename: "Black Fire" by the US Army. He is sent to San Sebastian together with his buddy Sgt. Jim Anderson to work as U.S. military advisers. One night, Sgt. Johnson discovers Capt. Salcedo of the local corrupt army is trying to transport arms.

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Quick Answer

What is Black Fire about?

Black Fire is a 1986 Philippine crime, action, and war film directed by Teddy Page about a Vietnam veteran plagued by ninja flashbacks who uncovers a corrupt arms smuggling operation.

Programmer's Pick

Ninjas, Vietnam flashbacks, and Filipino action grit—Black Fire doesn’t ask you to choose between war and martial arts fever dreams. Teddy Page gives you both, with a side of shady arms deals.

— Flashington Programmer

Overview

Sgt. Frank Johnson returns from Vietnam with more than just battle scars—he’s haunted by flashes of his childhood, which, oddly enough, feature him as a ninja. The US Army, never one to pass up a memorable codename, dubs him "Black Fire" and sends him, along with his comrade Sgt. Jim Anderson, to San Sebastian as military advisers. Their assignment quickly takes a turn when Johnson stumbles upon a corrupt local captain’s illicit arms transport scheme. "Black Fire" blends military intrigue with an unexpected martial arts twist, making for a genre mash-up where the ghosts of war collide with shadowy criminal dealings.

Details & Specs

Director
Teddy Page
Writers
Jim Gaines, Teddy Page
Release
1986
Runtime
1h 25m
Country
Philippines
Genres
Crime, Action, War
Also Known As
Blackfire

Cast & Crew

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Director: Teddy Page Writers: Jim Gaines +1 more
Romano Kristoff Romano Kristoff Sgt. Frank Johnson Jim Gaines Jim Gaines Jim Anderson Tony Carreon Tony Carreon Luis Sanchez CM Chantal Mansfield Nancy Ruel Vernal Ruel Vernal JB Jerry Bailey DI Dick Ilford

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Why Cult

Ninja Flashbacks

Sgt. Frank Johnson’s postwar trauma involves not just memories of Vietnam, but visions of being a childhood ninja—a unique psychological twist.

Filipino Action Cinema

Directed by Teddy Page, Black Fire delivers the signature mix of explosive action and B-movie aesthetics from the 1980s Philippine film industry.

Military-Crime Mashup

U.S. advisers, a corrupt local army, and an arms smuggling plot set the stage for a collision of war film and crime drama.

Unlikely Hero

Frank Johnson’s journey from concussed soldier to code-named operative with ninja instincts is as offbeat as B-movie heroes get.

Threat File

Trigger

Vietnam grenade concussion

Threat

Corrupt army’s arms smuggling

Effect

Illegal weapons transport in San Sebastian

Setting

San Sebastian

Questions from the Vault

When was Black Fire released? +

Black Fire was released in 1986.

Who directed Black Fire? +

Black Fire was directed by Teddy Page.

How long is Black Fire? +

Black Fire has a runtime of 85 minutes.

What genre is Black Fire? +

Black Fire is a crime, action, and war film.

Where can I watch Black Fire? +

Black Fire is available to watch on Flashington.

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