As MMA and BJJ become more popular, we’re beginning to see movies incorporating some of the moves.
The earliest example of a recognizable ground fighting technique I remember was in Game of Death. This unfinished Bruce Lee movie that has the dubious honor of being about the worst case of cashing in on a Movie Star’s untimely death I can think of. Bruce Lee was famous for his curiosity and desire to crosstrain, so it’s not surprising that he incorporates an armbar at one point.
The other very early entry is Lethal Weapon. How many of us recognized the triangle choke that Mel Gibson slapped onto Gary Busey in 1987? Not me.
In the modern era, there have been several movies that I think are truly excellent… and a few that just suck. So, with that, here are the top 3 movies I think everyone involved with or interested in MMA or BJJ should see.
1: Choke, 1999: This is a documentary film about Rickson Gracie as he prepares for and competes in a no hold’s barred competition in Asia. There’s a lot of tension and the story is great. Also, the access granted to the filmmaker really gives you the feeling that you’re behind the scenes.
In addition to following Rickson Gracie, the documentary also follows a Japanese competitor: Koichiro Kimura, as well as an American boxer, Todd Hays.
You will also see some of the best and worst of the spirit of the competitors during the tournament. Yuki Nakai is one tough dude and a true warrior. In this competition, Nakai, a shootfighter out of Japan, was little… noticably smaller than any of the other competitors. At one point, he ends up losing sight (ultimately a permanant loss of vision) in an eye as a result of an illegal gouge by Dutchman, Gerard Gordeau (who you might or might not remember from UFC 1). Nakai persists, kicks Gordeau’s ass with a heel hook and just keeps going. A real testament that technique and heart can overcome strength and size.
2: The Smashing Machine, 2003: Another documentary film, this one done for HBO. This is a compelling story that is honest and tragic, about NHB fighter, Mark Kerr… at one point, the scariest dude around. The Smashing Machine is a cautionary tale, a story about the climb to the absolute top of the heap and then the long fall completely off the mountain.
There are points in MMA history where you can see a shift in strategy. Things ebb and flow in this young sport. Ground and Pound was really Kerr’s area of expertise. In one fight, he literally beat this guy up so bad on the ground that the guy climbed out of the ring to escape.
The thrust of the Smashing Machine is, as with Choke, a behind the scenes look at MMA. This time, however, the focus is on Mark Kerr and his addiction to prescription painkillers.
3: Renzo Gracie’s Legacy, 2008: Yet another documentary style film, this one about Renzo Gracie, one of the first Gracies to move to the USA permanently. Slideyfoot posted a great review of this film on his blog. Check it out.
Honorable Mention:
Red Belt, 2008: It’s a pretty good movie. David Mamet wrote and directed this film that contains all of the Mamet characteristics. Convoluted plots, tight dialogue and flawed characters.
The movie follows Mike Terry, a small time Jiu-Jitsu instructor struggling to make ends meet, and his wife, the hot, Brazilian dress maker. When a strung out lawyer hits Terry’s car a series of unlikely events begin to unfold that take Terry deeper and deeper into the corrupt world of organized, sport fighting.
Unlike the three movies in my top ten, this is the first that is an actual work of fiction. Not on purpose. I actually prefer my movies made up, but so far, there have been no really good MMA/BJJ movies. This is close, though. It’s an interesting movie and, in my opinion, well worth watching. I’ve seen it twice. I also enjoyed the Jiu-Jitsu incorporated into the story. The feel of the movie is really kind of a throw back to the grittiness of a Raging Bull or the first Rocky.
Be warned, though. The ending will make you cringe or groan or smack your forehead and go, “D’oh.” Or perhaps all three. It’s that bad.
And a few to avoid unless you really want to see something related to MMA:
“And a few to avoid unless you really want to see something related to MMA:”
RED BELT
Ah… no love for Mamet. I thought it was okay. Definitely not one of the best movies of the year, but not THAT bad!
Thanks for the comment, Mike.
sorry but seeing homeboy armbar John Machado…naw….
and, the lame sound effects…
I saw choke the other night. Rickson is a freaking machine. I am not talking fighting, I am talking about his workout on the beach.
Game of Death showed Bruce evolving as a martial artist, incorporating various martial art styles. Just imagine how cinema and combat sports would have also evolved if he lived.
It is a real shame Hong Kong Legends went out of business: they used to do awesome DVDs of all the old kung fu classics, plus great editions of more recent martial arts films too. Their collectors edition of Game of Death is a case in point. Stuffed with extras, including a 40 minute sequence of all the fights, most of which didn’t make it to the theatrical release. Very cool. Not sure if its still available in the US, but some copies here, from third parties (Region 2, though).
My absolute favourite thing about those HKL DVDs was the brilliant commentaries Bey Logan used to do. He’s been involved in the Hong Kong film industry for a long time, so had both good connections and excellent knowledge. He pops up again with his old friend Donnie Yen in another film that, from what I’ve heard, is well worth a look too, Flash Point. Extended MMA-inspired fight at the end, though with these films that’s sometimes the only good part. Pretty cool, either way: I don’t really care, as I’ll be buying it for the Bey Logan commentary. ;p
If people are interested in the earliest MMA-related films, then that kicks off with Virtuosity in 1995: set in the future, with ‘cage fighting’ as an example of a suitably brutal sport: I’d be very surprised if anyone involved with the film (except for Ken Shamrock, but then as he merely plays an uncredited role, probably didn’t have much say) had any idea what MMA actually involved.
Ken cropped up a few years later in a much more substantial role, but in what looks like a way sillier film, Champions. Not watched it myself, but looks hilarious from the trailer.
Oh, and cheers for linking my review: also got one for The Smashing Machine.
Marks: That is for sure. He was an interesting guy with a lot of progressive ideas.
Slidey: Thanks for the comment and all of the information. I’ve never even heard of Virtuosity.
I can’t remember exactly what happens in the UFC segment: can only find trailers on YouTube so far, but this is the bit I’m thinking of.
Yea I’d say Never Back Down is a must miss.
LOL, Ikigai, I agree completely.
Ahh Never Back Down – it’s the ‘inspirational-reference’ film for countless guys at my gym *sigh*. Sadly, I’m also referring to some ‘instructors’…’The Fighting’ is out later this year – it apparently promises more gritty fights (I have my doubts since it stars the dude from Step Up).
Choke was fantastic…and I’m really looking forward to watching Legacy. I think most people are a little hard on Red Belt…it’s not bad for what it is though it is a somewhat wasted opportunity (in true Mamet fashion).
I’ve got the Flash Point dvd, it’s not bad. The fight scenes are definitely MMA-inspired (similar to those in Sha Po Lang which was where Donnie Yen first tributed BJJ in his end-sequence against Sammo Hung). Unfortunately where FP falls apart is that there’s just not enough action for an action film …literally, 3 proper action scenes.
Props to Slideyfoot for being another HK Legends fan! I’ve got an entire shelf dedicated to them! lol
If looking back in the day – you can check out some of the sequels to Bloodsport which have a little bit of grappling in them (though highly stylised!). Kickboxer 5: The Redemption has a Jiu Jitsu guy as one of the supporting actors alongside Mark Dacascos so there is some ground fighting to it that was way ahead of its time.
I vaguely remember Virtuosity – I think it had Denzel Washington?…not much cage fighting. I’m very curious to watching Champions (not the Mighty Ducks version I assume:P) now though! Ahaa…I’ve just IMDB’d it – it stars Louis Mandylor who was in Martial Law and Ken Shamrock as ‘The King’…maybe I’ll give it a miss then.
Riz and Slidey, you guys rock. Thanks for taking the time to post all of that information.
Another flick that’s worth a mention is Kuro Obi.
It may not quite have the realism of the BJJ and MMA films you’ve listed above but I do like some of the short, understated fight scenes.
You can see a few clips from the movie here.
I like the addition of Lethal Weapon in this section. I loved Red Belt. It’s a must see. I was not impressed with Never Back Down at all. It was High School Musical with MMA and MP3 files instead of singing!
Finally watched Redbelt recently, and it was much better than I expected. Also cool to see Ejiofor, as I was there when he was taking privates at the Roger Gracie Academy in London. I’ve never seen him put in a poor performance: definitely one of the top actors of his generation.
However, I really disliked what appeared to be a message throughout the film that competition is somehow shady and twisted, taking away from the ‘pure’ self defence of BJJ.
Not that I personally love competition (I very rarely compete myself), but I think its absolutely essential to have that competitive element to retain a style’s efficacy. Competition, as long as its not overly restrictive (like for example the limits imposed on TKD) is an effective method of preventing a martial art stagnating and turning into a system of preservation rather than evolution.
Its a big reason why martial arts like muay thai, judo and boxing have never lost their applicability. Its also the main problem I have with the direction the Gracie Academy has been taking: resistance has to be an integral part of the grading process, or the rank becomes meaningless.
Dan, I agree completely! Thanks for stopping by.
Slidey: I felt the same way. When I saw it, I had very low expectations and was pleasantly surprised. It was a character driven story with a convoluted, but interesting plot. I see your point about how it focused on competition.
What really struck me is how they portrayed the Brazilians as a bunch of greedy, shallow thugs.
Yeah: there wasn’t a single positive Brazilian character in the whole film, which is ridiculous. The best they could manage was Dan Inosanto (not entirely sure if he can pass as Brazilian, but clearly he was supposed to be) as the Helio substitute, but he’s neutral at most, given that he never actually gets to speak, or indeed move from his seat until the very end.
I’m surprised the Brazilians involved with the film were ok with their portrayal, though I guess a lot of the American characters came off badly too.
"The earliest example of a recognizable ground fighting technique I remember was in Game of Death. This unfinished Bruce Lee movie that has the dubious honor of being about the worst case of cashing in on a Movie Star's untimely death I can think of. Bruce Lee was famous for his curiosity and desire to crosstrain, so it's not surprising that he incorporates an armbar at one point."
If you remember Bruce Lee was put in an armbar by the Russian at the end of Chinese connection, also in Enter the Dragon. He escaped both the same way, biting his opponent. Very clever.