DVD - American Masters and Champions of the Martial Arts

Undoubtedly this is the most comprehensive DVD ever - showing the American Masters and Champions of The Martial Arts. Names like Trias, Urban, Parker, Nishiyama, Lewis Tegner, Yamashita Bruno Urquidez, Wall, Matteson, Slocki, and Norris are but a few of the biggest names in North American martial arts history. These are the masters that have forged a legacy for us all. These are the men that set the groundwork. This collection of over 110 masters and Champions is a compilation from the personal archives of over 15 of the most prominent collectors in the world of historical footage.

Names like Ernie Lieb, Chuck Merriman, John Grayden, Emil Farkas, Tayari Caseland and Sid Campbell have all graciously donated to the wealth of this important project.

Much of this rare footage was shot in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s on either 8 mm or Super 8 film, so the quality is okay. Some was shot more recently on digital cameras, so the quality is excellent.

Written by Emil Farkas owner of the Beverly Hills Martial Arts Archives and Don Warrener, world renowned writer of hundreds of articles and books. The information is factual and well written. Narrated by Farkas, the author of best selling book Encyclopedia Of Martial Arts. Farkas is one of the most knowledgeable people in America when it comes to historical facts related to these the American Masters and Champions of the Martial Arts.

* * * Post Viewing Notes * * * Viewing Notes: Picture quality varies quite a bit, since much is shot as home video (or "studio" video) - especially the video before the 80's, but still quite watchable. Most of the "chapters" have no sound, just music and a brief introduction on the artist being shown.

Seems like much of the video was shot in late 60's through early 80's. Most of the video was clearly shot by students inside the studio or at tournaments with the balance usually being demonstrations. So it's very candid pictures of the artist doing their "thing".

This is NOT an instructional video, but shows a HUGE number of artists. Some of the more "obscure" ones for a shorter time, but it gets to business with virtually all the DVD showing the artists - not lots of silly fluff. The artists are shown in alphabetical order with chapter stops about every 3 or 4 letters.

Fascinating to see the variety of styles. Heavy emphasis on karate styles, but other styles shown too. If there's a "player" in the American martial arts world that doesn't have _some_ video here, we don't know who it is... (actually, Bill Wallace is conspicuously absent (!) Did someone have a grudge there???)

Production quality of the film is fine (it's clear that some of the poorer video is simply that way in the original) and audio quality doesn't really apply in this instance. Worth more than one viewing, but not something you'd buy to study. Ideal for a studio or school purchase to show different styles (and almost surely including your chief instructor).

Approximately 90 minutes. On two discs.

Shipping for this item:
- U.S.: $6.20
- Canada: $5.75
- Internationally: $8.65 to $9.10

The average shipping weight of this item is 0.38 lbs.
Item No: 84-1-010 ap