Early 80's Modern Day Samurai Film?

[Flick James]

I remember a movie that I saw part of when I was maybe just hitting the early teens. I get the feeling it is probably not all that obscure, but I for the life of me I can't figure out the title.

This is what I remember. An Asian guy who is a martial arts master of some kind, I think kind of a modern day Samurai of sorts, weilds a katana, lives in modern times. I'm not sure about the "Samurai" connection, just a vibe I remember about it. I think he also has a daughter or niece or something. There is also a white guy/American who is also a martial artists. I want to say that he is in love with the man's daughter or niece, and I think there is some resistance from the older man in them being together. Anyway, I remember a climactic scene where the older guy is fighting the main villain of the movie, who is extremely good with a katana, and wounds him to the point of not being able to fight anymore, and the American continues the fight. The fight is pretty brutal, and the American guy gets pretty beat up, but he eventually kills the villain and I distinctly remember his katana splitting the villain's head in two. The movie closes with the American kneeling in front of the older Asian guy, blood running down his face, and having earned his respect.

Anybody know this movie?

[Trevor]

Flick, the one title that comes to mind is John Frankenheimer's The Challenge with Scott Glenn. 

[Flick James]

Flick, the one title that comes to mind is John Frankenheimer's The Challenge with Scott Glenn. 

Holy Crap, that it! I looked it up on wikipedia and didn't even have to read anything. The second I saw the poster that was it. I didn't remember it being Scott Glenn but I remember the hair.

Thanks Trevor. I was searching and couldn't find anything.

You know, I have NEVER posted a query in this board that did not get identified within a couple of days, often the same day. I feel honored to be in the company of this level of geekdom.

[Flick James]

Oh, and I had no idea there were so many films name The Challenge. There are at least six of them from 1938 to 2011.

[Trevor]

I didn't remember it being Scott Glenn but I remember the hair.

You know, I have NEVER posted a query in this board that did not get identified within a couple of days, often the same day. I feel honored to be in the company of this level of geekdom. 

[indianasmith]

I watched that movie when I was stationed in Japan, back in 1985.  I loved it!  That was the one that made me a Scott Glenn fan.