Ten Zan: The Ultimate Mission

Ten Zan: The Ultimate Mission (also known as Missione Finale) is a 1988 science fiction action film written and directed by Ferdinando Baldi under the pseudonym "Ted Kaplan".[1] The film stars Frank Zagarino, Sabrina Siani, and Romano Kristoff. It was Baldi's final film before his death in 2007.

Ten Zan: The Ultimate Mission
US DVD cover
Directed byFerdinando Baldi
(as Ted Kaplan)
Produced byScino Glam
Massimo Vigliar
Written byFerdinando Baldi
StarringFrank Zagarino
Mark Gregory
Romano Kristoff
Sabrina Siani
Music byElio Polizzi
CinematographyMarcello Masciocchi
Edited byMed Salkin
Distributed bySurf Film
Release date
  • 1988 (1988)
Running time
84 min.
CountryNorth Korea
Italy
LanguageEnglish

The film, an international co-production between Italy and North Korea, was filmed on-location in the latter country. To date, it is one of the few Western-produced non-documentary features to be shot in the country, and one of the only films made there to feature American actors. The film portrays North Korea as a futuristic utopia, a decision which Baldi later explained as "a conscious avoidance of reality" foisted upon the production by the local regime.[2] Among the supporting cast is Charles Robert Jenkins, an American wartime defector who had since appeared in several propaganda films.

Ten Zan was one of eight North Korean films to be shown at the Udine Festival of Far East Film in 2000. In a report of these screenings for Asiaweek, Richard James Havis regarded the film as "truly lamentable", saying: "The acting is worse than that of the propaganda movies, as is the plot."[2]

The title Ten Zan is a reference to the last Japanese stronghold on Iwo Jima, which was called Devil's Peak by the American soldiers trying to capture the island during the Battle of Iwo Jima.[3]

Plot

A group of known troublemakers are working on experiments in the Far East. They have discovered a substance that penetrates human cells, and makes changes to chromosomes and genes. These experiments are carried out on young girls who are abducted from the local villages. They are brought to the "Center", which is heavily guarded by mercenaries. The leader of the scientists is an avid biologist, Professor Larson, who dreams of breeding a master race to rule the world. The scientific organizations in Asia and Europe are aware of these experiments and decide to do something about them. A group of ex-commando fighters are used, who have never failed so far. But it remains to be seen if this mission is to succeed.[4]

Characters
  • Lou Mamet (Frank Zagarino): a mercenary-for-hire, from Mattituck, Long Island, he is contracted through FSR (Final Solution Research); an organization that contacts commandos to deals with problem too delicate to be handled through official government channels.[4]
  • Jason (Mark Gregory): the military leader of the mercenaries responsible for the attacks and kidnappings.[4]
  • Ricky (Romano Kristoff): a middle-man for FSR, he is hired by Professor Larson to commission the FSR to end the illegal trafficking of woman, which in turn hires Lou Mamet. Credited as Rom Kristoff.[4]
  • Mavi (Kim Follet): the younger sister of Ricky, and love interest for Mamet.[4]
  • Glenda (Sabrina Siani): assistant and lover of Jason. Credited as Sabrina Syan.[4]
  • Professor Larson (Charles Robert Jenkins): Lithuanian professor of the University of Vilna, who works to breed a master race.[4]
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References
  1. Schonherr, Johannes. "East of Siberia: Films From North Korea". iFilm Connections: Asia & Pacific!. Retrieved on 2 November 2008.
  2. Havis, Richard James. "Peering Into A Closed World". Asiaweek, 19 May 2000. Retrieved on 2 November 2008.
  3. Schönherr, Johannes (August 13, 2012). North Korean Cinema: A History. McFarland. p. 224. ISBN 0786490527. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  4. Kaplan, Ted (1988). The Ultimate Mission (film). North Korea: Rainbow International.

Kaplan, Ted (Director) (1988). The Ultimate Mission (movie). North Korea: Rainbow International.

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