 | |
List Price: $19.95 | | Label: Unique Enterprises
Salesrank: 65292
Released: October 14, 2003 |
| Our Price: $19.89 |
| Used Price: $19.89 |
|
MPAA Rating: G (General Audience)
Media: DVD |
|
Editorial Review:
The most valuable concept ever attempted in documenting today's Martial Arts renaissance is brought to life in "The Warrior Within". Fifteen top practitioners of Jeet Kune Do, Karate, Kung Fu, Jujitsu, Kendo, Tai Chi Chuan and Classical Oriental Weaponry pay tribute to the Martial Arts Master of all time, Bruce Lee. In addition to exhibiting their deadly skills, the Masters talk honestly about themselves and about their mystical, spiritual and philosophic thoughts on the ancient art of self defense. It is also about their place in a modern society whose escalating crime rate and violence is making the knowledge of self defense a necessity for more and more ordinary people, especially women.
Executive Producer Manuel Ortiz Braschi said that it was made with the purpose of educating the General Public to what the Martial Arts are all about. Viewers will learn how it is an intelligent solution, not only for protection but also for self confidence and peace of mind. It is guaranteed to be a real eye opener into the world of Martial Arts.
"Warrior" received the highest honor a film could be awarded at "Las Americas Film Festival", given to films of unusual merit. It has received great reviews from film critics, newspapers & magazines and is considered by many to be a classic. Martial Arts fans will have the opportunity to see many of their favorites in action. Each is a highly ranked representative of their style and art.
The Warrior Within Reviews:
Awesome documentary!! 
2008-12-28 - This documentary is a window into the world of martial arts views, philosophies, and practice. Many of them are no longer with us.
Martial Arts masters 
2008-03-24 - This doesn't feature any footage of Bruce Lee apart from a few stills and some mention of his influence. However in all other respects the rest of the film is first class.
Leading experts from various martial arts areas (Kendo, various forms of Karate, Jujitsu, Kung Fu, Tai Chi as well as weapons experts etc) are all shown demonstrating their skills with devastating effectiveness and discussing them with equal facility.
Amongst the better known martial artists are:
Chuck Norris
Dan Inosanto
Master Poi Chen
Mike Stone
Master Moses Powell
Unlike one of the previous critical reviewers I actually found the Jujitsu master the most impressive of all the guys on display. The truth is they are, or at least were, amongst the very best at the time the film was made. Criticising from behind the keyboard 30 years after these guys were at their peak, is I think a little unfair!
Highly recommended to anyone interested in martial arts.
Don't be fooled this is for REAL martial artist with respect and open minds.
2007-05-15 - First of all let me say that if you are looking for hardcore action, legs breaking, and fancy flips, and gymnastics. This isn't for you. This was made in the 70's so don't be surprised with the crappy picture and sound quality. However with that said, I have always loved this documentary. I first saw it 18 years ago at the age of ten. Once I saw it I joined my first martial arts dojo. And since then took a long hard and exciting journey in the martial arts world. Despite what some critics on here say, these are REAL masters and many are still alive and VERY WELL RESPECTED in the martial arts community. This documentary goes into brief descriptions of different arts such as Karate, Tiger Claw Gung Fu, Tai chi Chuan, Jujitsu and a few others. While interviewing respected masters in those styles. They speak about their personal experiences, views on life, and what it means being a martial arts master. It's a must for any serious martial artist who isn't in it for just hurting people.
The best comedy I've seen in years ! Recommended for a great laugh !! 
2006-02-24 - I'm not sure what the other reviewers are talking about. Maybe they are the film distributors as well. I just saw this recently and thought it was one the funniest things I've seen. But the comedy is totally unintentional.
This was made in the 70s and documents nicely the delusional attitude to martial arts the western world had in that period.
The 'enlightenment' aspect of martial arts tied in nicely with the hippie peace, love and understanding ideal, and together with Bruce Lee's all conquering 'Enter the Dragon' bringing in every tough guy wannabe - well how could it not have been huge !
Speaking of Bruce Lee, his brother Robert Lee does some of the music here, adding to the hilarity. He wasn't hired for his talent, and him trying to croon a slow dreamy ballad 'The Warrior Within' will bring a smile to your face every time you watch.
Many of the 'masters' interviewed are inner city african americans, and come across as wannabe enlighten ghetto gangsters. My favourite was the master who would spar 'full on' (which apparently means no contact at all) with his students - while wearing 70s style sunglasses. THAT IS BADASS !!
This doco actually does feature someone talking about the dangers of attackers entering his 'circle of death'. Apparently anyone that enters his circle of death when he's in attack mode is going to get it - even his mother ! But apparently she wouldn't enter, 'because she knows better'. That right there is by far the best part of the movie, and possibly the greatest line ever committed to film.
Also, watch out for the jiu jitsu master who has all his students talk about how graceful his rolling around is despite his large girth. Lots of slow motion shots follow of this large man doing forward rolls.
Some of them have the noble idea that teaching inner city youths their martial arts will help decrease youth violence and gang activity. You can't argue with that idea, although judging from the 1980s it probably didn't work that well.
There is too much comedy gold to list it all here. The only ones that seemed rational were Chuck Norris, Dan Inosanto and Mike Stone - 3 guys who were all actual friends of Bruce Lee and all engaged in fighting with actual contact... Mike Stone openly makes fun of some masters who are full of it.
A DVD anniversary edition would be AWESOME. I'd love to see a 'where are they now?' feature showing all the masters. I wonder if the circle of death expanded or contracted with age ?
In the end its a wonderful time capsule of the martial arts hysteria that took over the world in the early 70s and really continued into the 90s until the Gracie family and mixed martial arts cleared out the rubbish - which was Bruce Lee's goal in the first place...
Rating Manipulation 
2005-04-04 - The quality of a product should stand on its own without people manipulating user ratings. Almost all the user ratings are posted by someone anonymous or someone who only posted one time. Plus someone has made numerous multiple postings that are full of praise and little on actual critique. Seems fishy to me.
