I think one of the things that makes Miyagi so cool is that he’s largely an enigma. Does anyone know how he made the money to afford all those antique cars? And if he’s so rich, why’s he working as a handyman? Then, there’s the allusion to his military service. Personally, the idea of Mr. Miyagi at war always fascinated me. He’s an unstoppable badass as an old man; how much ass could he have kicked in his prime, if he had something to fight for?
About three years ago, I decided to write a WWII action movie. One of the characters is a young private named Kesuke Miyagi. He’s fighting in Italy when he hears that his wife has died in childbirth. Furious at America for keeping her in an internment camp, he deserts his unit to go drown his sorrows. When the Military Police try to take him in, he lashes out and almost kills one of them. He’s court-martialed and sentenced to death. But a Major who’s familiar with Miyagi’s karate skills offers him a deal: go on a dangerous mission behind enemy lines, and maybe you’ll get a pardon. (Yes, I’ve seen The Dirty Dozen, what of it?)
In the scene below, the Major and Miyagi take advantage of an air raid in Munich to barricade themselves in a bomb shelter with a group of military wives, who they hope can lead them to their target. And now, without further ado, here’s an excerpt from The Man Who Killed Hitler.
Incidentally, if anyone is interested in producing a big budget action movie (or drawing a graphic novel) drop me a line.
How is it we’re coming to the end of Karate Kid Week, and nobody’s mentioned “Sweep the Leg” by No More Kings?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFlQNtL8F9s
Don’t doubt it; just go watch it. You’ll thank me later.
‘Don’t worry private, you may have dark hair, olive oil skin, and an Italian accent, but to me- you’re American. Say, is that why they call you ‘Grandpa Larusso?’ Because you’re only twenty five, and have no children. You plan to go back to Jersey and start a family or something?’
And the rest of the script can be downloaded… where?
Rick: “Sweep the Leg” was amazing. How is it that I hadn’t seen or heard of this before? I should hand in my Overthinking It badge.
For more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweep_The_Leg
It’s been called the “Citizen Kane of online comedy videos.”
Jason – if you’re really bored, email me at [email protected]. I’ll email you the whole Nazi-smashing story.