The Instructor (1981) | Region-Free (DVD)

**DISC ONLY**

Source: VHS

Title: The Instructor (1981)

Genre: Action, Drama

Plot Synopsis:
A black belt martial artist and respected instructor runs a local karate school, teaching his students discipline and self-defense. However, when a rival school owner threatens him and his students, he is forced to put his skills to the test. The escalating conflict leads to high-speed car chases, intense hand-to-hand combat, and a final confrontation where he must use all his training to protect himself and his honor.

Cast and Crew:

• Director: Don Bendell
• Writer: Don Bendell
• Cast:
  • Bob Chaney as The Instructor
  • Don Bendell as Thumper Rhodes
  • Bob Saal as Bud Hart
  • Steve Boergadine as Al Butcher
  • Lynday Scharnott as Dee

IMDb Link:
The Instructor (1981) 

Reviews from Letterboxd:

1. matt lynch – ★★★★
   “Somebody scraped a few grand together to make this tantalizingly borderline-competent homebrew martial arts/stunt-reel movie, about a karate instructor/possible Burt Reynolds impersonator whose amazing adventures this film seems to have accidentally stumbled into. A classic example of sheer willpower and enthusiasm trumping near-total ineptitude. Features vaguely post-apocalyptic punkers, a r@pe-revenge plot, a 20-minute car then motorcycle then foot chase through Akron, OH, followed by a chainsaw/axe fight, and an unexpectedly killer soundtrack. Wow.”

2. Justin LaLiberty – ★★★★
   “The type of singular regional spectacle that can only be a product of America in the 80s, featuring a lead that looks like Rust Belt Burt Reynolds when dry and like a shaggier Tony Clifton when wet, just karate chopping and roundhouse (more like quarter house) kicking dudes in the face—finds some sort of charming middle ground between something innocuous like Ninja Busters and something more sleazy like Champagne and Bullets, but similarly idiosyncratic and feeling like the home movie equivalent of a vanity press paperback.”

3. Ian West – ★★★★
   “I love regional films like this. The Instructor is a low-budget martial arts film shot in Akron, Ohio, and it’s an absolute blast. The film is filled with non-actors, but that just adds to the charm. The fight scenes are surprisingly well done, and the car chases are impressive considering the budget. The soundtrack is also fantastic. If you’re a fan of regional cinema or low-budget action films, I highly recommend checking this out.”

4. John S – ★★★
   “The Instructor is a fun, low-budget martial arts film with a lot of heart. The acting is pretty rough, but the fight scenes are entertaining, and the film has a certain charm that makes it enjoyable. The fact that it was shot in Akron, Ohio, gives it a unique regional flavor that you don’t see in a lot of martial arts films. Worth a watch for fans of low-budget action cinema.”

5. Chris P – ★★★½
   “This is a prime example of regional low-budget filmmaking at its finest. The Instructor is a martial arts film that delivers on action and unintentional comedy. The fight scenes are surprisingly well choreographed, and the car chases are a highlight. The acting is amateurish, but that adds to the overall charm. Definitely worth checking out for fans of so-bad-it’s-good cinema.”

Meta Description:
A regional martial arts action film, The Instructor (1981) follows a skilled karate instructor as he defends his school from a rival’s threats. Directed by Don Bendell and starring Bob Chaney, this low-budget action movie delivers intense fight sequences, thrilling car chases, and an authentic 1980s indie cinema experience.