Description

Editorial Reviews:The Miami Herald”A tribute to mastery over both the mind and body… Immensely entertaining…” Product DescriptionFilmed entirely in Japan, BUDO:THE ART OF KILLING is a highly acclaimed docu-drama and a favorite of martial arts practitioners and fans alike. Highlighting the various techniques of “Budo” (Karate, Judo, Aikido, etc.), this action-packed film is a visual feast exploring the spiritual and historical traditions, training and techniques of this specialized form of martial arts. Synapse is proud to present this critically acclaimed film in a newly re-mastered version transferred from original vault materials. A must-see even for fans of Japanese history, BUDO:THE ART OF KILLING is “powerful and frequently amazing… stuns the beholder.” (VARIETY) This documentary was filmed in the late 1970’s, in Japan, and shows off most Japanese martial arts. Many well known martial arts masters are featured including: Gozo Shioda (Aikido) Takamiyama (Sumo) Taizaburo Nakamura (Iaido) Sadaharu Fujimoto (Karate) Teruo Hayashi (Okinawa Kobudo) There are also many other Judo, Kendo, Naginata and Samarai sword masters featured. The film takes place in Dojos and outdoors and shows off some of Japan’s natural beauty very well. The film also covers some historical areas and a certain amount of the philosophy behind martial arts. What it shows best of all is the dedication and skill required to become skillful in any of these arts. This is an essential purchase for the enthusiatic martial arts student. When film producer Hisao Masuda first set out to make THE ART OF KILLING, a serious and revealing documentary about Japanese martial arts, he found very few people in Japan who shared his enthusiasm for the project. In fact, there wasn’t a major producer in the country willing to financially back the film. Ironically, the funding for this very artful and honest history lesson came from Arthur Davis, the man responsible for BRUTES AND SAVAGES, one of the most artless and dishonest documentaries ever produced.