Revisiting the Iconic Filming Locations of The Instructor, Shot in Akron, Ohio 45 Years Ago

Hey, it’s Wes, and welcome to DinkLife! Today, I took a trip through Akron, Ohio, revisiting locations from The Instructor, a film shot nearly 45 years ago. This low-budget action classic, written and directed by Don Bendell, tells the story of a local karate teacher—known as “The Instructor”—played by real-life martial artist Bob Chaney. After the mysterious death of his wife, The Instructor has dedicated himself to training for good, teaching his students self-defense, including his best friend Thumper. But things take a dark turn when a rival school run by the corrupt Bud Hart starts causing trouble. When Thumper is brutally beaten, The Instructor reaches his breaking point and goes after his nemesis, leading to an unforgettable showdown.

We started our tour at The Upper Deck on Portage Lakes, where the movie’s epic chase scene kicks off. The place hasn’t changed much since filming, still lively with locals docking their boats in summer to grab drinks and hear live bands. From there, we moved to Waterloo Road, home to the timeless Waterloo Restaurant, before heading downtown where historic spots like Quaker Square, the federal courthouse, and Greystone Hall remain largely as they were. Some things, of course, have changed: there’s now a ballpark for the Akron Rubber Ducks, a new roundabout, and a few updated storefronts.

Next, we ventured to Firestone Park, an area rich with nostalgia for me—I even went to kindergarten there! The old playground may be gone, but landmarks like the softball field and the community center still serve the neighborhood. The chase continued into Cuyahoga Falls, with the bridge connecting it to Akron undergoing significant changes since the ’80s. We also stopped at Sand Run River Ford, another timeless Akron Metro Park where visitors can enjoy nature nearly unchanged from when the film was shot.

Finally, we wrapped up at Gorge Metro Park, the climactic location for The Instructor’s big fight scene. While the park looked the same for decades, it’s recently undergoing major renovations, including the removal of the dam. With Akron’s familiar backdrops, this tour brought The Instructor’s scenes vividly to life. If you’ve seen the film or visited any of these spots, I’d love to hear your memories—drop a comment below and join me in exploring the history and nostalgia Akron has to offer!

imdb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0187993/

4k movie: https://vinegarsyndrome.com/products/the-instructor