WARNING: This editor is not bias-free; he is
a long-time friend/student of Philip
"Sled Dog" Gelinas, a friend/student of Marc "Crafty Dog" Denny,
and an instructor of DBMA. So read on with this
in mind.
This prologue to the second DBMA video series
provides a fascinating backdrop to the beginning of the Dog Brothers.
Footage offers commentaries from many of the legendary names in the Filipino Martial Arts of the time, as well as extremely rare archival materials. Masters
are shown executing their arts as well as offering their views on the state
of FMA. Most of the materials date from the late 80's, at one inter-denominational WEKAF tournament.
The quality of the video is generally good - it is certainly entertaining
and eminently watchable. Some of the archival footage is
fuzzy and poorly filmed but this isn't the fault of the producers.
The editting maintains a good pace and juxtaposes talking heads with action in
good balance. Occasionally, too much time is spent dwelling on
a long winded monologue or a particularly hazy piece of film. But repeated
playback will no doubt bring these same segments into focus.
The narrative is largely missing, leaving the viewer to construct an impression of the FMA of the times. But this seems to be appropriate, given that
personal views and allegiances can result in vastly differing interpretations
of history.
This
video will be of interest to anyone involved in the FMA. It may even become
a collector's item due to its significant historical content.
Guro Dan Inosanto's classic performance in the chop-socky film
"The Chinese Stuntman" (ironically with Bruce Li) is alone
worth the (reasonable) cost of the video.
It will be interesting to see the first content-oriented tape from the
new DBMA series.
Loki Jorgenson
FMA Database Editor
