Splinter, the rat ninja master is kidnapped by the evil Shredder and his gang of hoodlums. The green teens with the help of an ambitious reporter embark on a perilous journey through the city streets and sewers to save him.

A live-action version of the popular animated TV series for kids. Due to radiation exposure, the four turtles have mutated into teenagers; now, they live in the New York City sewers, where they eat pizza, talk jive, and learn the tricks of a ninja from their guru, Splinter the Rat.
When a group of juvenile delinquents called the Foot Gang start wreaking havoc in the city, our heroes on the half-shell join forces with an intrepid girl reporter to put an end to the gang's evil ways.

Estimated budget of $12.5 million to $15 million.

Filmed at the DeLaurentiis Studio in North Carolina, shot in Technicolor; prints by DeLuxe.

Began shooting July 10, 1989; completed shooting September 9, 1989. Released on video October 4, 1990.

Additional credits: animatronic character creation, special effects and costumes by Jim Henson's Creature Shop.

Based on the comic book characters created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird which spawned a hit TV cartoon series, as well as a video game, and numerous tie-ins ranging from books to stuffed toys. The appearance of "Mutant Turtle" breakfast cereal on American supermarket shelves coincided with the film's USA release.

This was the highest-grossing independent film of all time, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" made over $133 million in domestic box office.

Rated BBFC 18 by the British Board of Film Censors.

DVD Features:

Region 1
Snap Case
Full Frame - 1.33
Letterbox - 1.85
Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Digital Stereo - French
Additional Release Material:
Original 'Sewer Maze' Interactive Game
Trailers: Original Theatrical Trailer
Text/Photo Galleries:
"The T. Files" and Turtle and Character Biographies

Distributor Notes: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie is the live-action, feature film adaptation of the cult comic book and the popular animated television show. After prolonged exposure to radiation, four teenage turtles--Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo, and Donatello--have mutated into ninjas and have begun living in the sewers of a large city. Under the guidance of a ninja master Splinter the Rat and television reporter April, the Turtles embark on a mission to run crime out of the city and battle the warlord Shredder.

Source: Warner Home Video

Judith Hoag: TV/Film Actress
Elias Koteas: Actor

Steve Barron: British Director