"The Deadliest Art: Best of the Martial Arts Films" American Laserdisc Cover
Director: Sandra Weintraub
Writer: Sandra Weintraub
Producer: Fred Weintraub
Cast: John Saxon, Bruce Lee, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Chris Casamassa, Jackie Chan, Keith Cooke, Peter Cunningham, Joyce Godenzi, Sibelle Hu, Sammo Hung Kam-Bo, Sho Kosugi, Kwan Tak-hing, Angela Mao, Michiko Nishikawa, Richard Norton, Ron Pohnel, Cynthia Rothrock, Karen Sheperd, Benny Urquidez, Lee Van Cleef, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Yuen Wah, Yuen Biao, Bruce Leong (Liang Siu Lung), Tony Liu
Running Time: 90 min.
By JJ Hatfield
In another post a semi documentary was mentioned “The Deadliest Art The Best Of The Martial Arts”. It is not a bad watch, in fact it is really pretty entertaining. John Saxon narrates between film clips.
It doesn’t matter if you are an experienced viewer or brand new to the martial arts action, you will enjoy the film. Newcomers will be dazzled by all the cool stuff people can do without cgi and in many cases without wires or tubing. Those familiar with old school style films will have fond memories inspired by seeing so many great martial artists fight again. No doubt many will say – “Oh wow, I remember this fight!”
There are clips of Sammo Hung, Jackie Chan, Yuen Biao, Cynthia Rothrock, Sho Kosugi, of course Bruce Lee and many more.
Definitely worthy of a view!
The version I have is a VHS tape with the date 1971 in one place and 1972 in another.
JJ Hatfield’s Rating: 6.5/10
I have this one on VHS also, and as you stated I fondly remembered many if not all the fights presented in this one. I agree with you, its worth a look and pretty decent for its time.
It does make you pause to think of how many truly great and/or entertaining martial arts based films you have seen.
BTW I think you are going to have to kick a certain butt to get him to post, I think you know your duty Officer! I’m also trying to find J.F. from, uhm….that other place. I haven’t heard from him since the er…. well you know.
JJ