In an unknown location in Tibet, a young boy with mystical abilities, the Golden Child, receives badges of honor and demonstrates his power by reviving a dead bird, which is to become a constant companion. However, a band of villains led by a mysterious man breaks into the hidden temple, slaughters the monks and takes the boy away. Some time afterwards, a young woman named Kee Nang watches a Los Angeles TV show in which Chandler Jarrell, a social worker who is confronted by a young Asian woman who tells him that he is the Chosen One destined to save The Golden Child, the savior of all mankind, from the clutches of the evil demon Sardo Numspa, who won't rest until he sees to it that the boy is in his clutches. But Jarrell disbelieves the mysticism but he finds more and more evidence of demon worship as he starts investigating.

John Carpenter was offered the job as director.

The Old Man:
Keep your thought as pure as the water.


Chandler Jarrell:
Hey, this water ain't really that pure.


The Old Man:
Un-heh, neither are you.

Continuity: The level of the water in the glass during the quest changes between shots.

Music by John Barry
Lyrics by Ann Wilson, Nancy Wilson & SUE ENNIS
Performed by Ann Wilson
ANN WILSON courtesy of CAPITOL RECORDS, INC.