Ten Zan: The Ultimate Mission

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Ten Zan: The Ultimate Mission is a 1988 science fiction action film directed by Ferdinando Baldi (credited as Ted Kaplan). It stars Frank Zagarino, Mark Gregory, Romano Kristoff, and Sabrina Siani. The Italian–North Korean co-production was filmed in North Korea and is one of the few Western non-documentary features shot there, with the regime’s influence giving the film a future-oriented, utopian backdrop.

Plot in brief: A team of ex-commando fighters confronts criminals conducting experiments in the Far East. They uncover a substance that alters human cells and genes, tested on abducted girls at a heavily guarded Center led by Professor Larson, who dreams of breeding a master race to rule the world. European and Asian science groups join forces to stop the operation.

Production notes: The project aimed to boost North Korea’s film industry and appeal to international markets. Baldi was approached at the Cannes market and agreed to shoot in North Korea, initially with a Pacific War concept. The North Koreans rewrote the script, and filming lasted about eight weeks. Authorities limited locations, and there were tensions over the American lead and other on-set issues. A notable on-set incident involved Zagarino and camera trouble, which he later downplayed; Baldi has said production problems led to inconsistencies in the final film.

Reception and release: The film contains a notable plot hole where Larson, who hires the heroes, is later revealed to run the villains’ organization. Baldi attributed this to production problems and a lack of access to rushes. Ten Zan was never released in Italy due to a dispute between Italian co-producers and North Koreans, and it reached international audiences only via home video. It was screened as part of the Udine Festival of Far East Film in 2000, where some critics called it lamentable.

Basic facts: 84 minutes, English-language, released in 1988, distributed by Surf Film.