Training video reviews

[davjohns]

I have been collecting sword training videos. Wanted to know if anyone was interested in helping with reviews of various videos. Basically, if you have one, post your opinion. Thanks. dwj

[Capt Ann]

"Kumdo" Turtle Press ($29.95 by mail, $19.95 online)

OK overview of progression of a typical Kumdo class. Somewhat difficult to follow, since the video itself is in Korean with English subtitles. I would not use this video to train, but to get a basic understanding of what the art looks like, and what a typical class entails.

[Capt Ann]

"Haidong Gumdo" Turtle Press ($29.95 by mail, $19.95 online)

Very good overview of traditional Korean sword art of Haidong Gumdo. The video includes a view of a typical class, including basic cutting techniques, stances, and a few forms. You would not be able to learn the art from this video, but you could gain an understanding and appreciation of it, and decide if it's an art you'd like to pursue.

[davjohns]

"Path of the Ninja - Shinobigatana Basic Sword Skills" by Mark Steven Grove through Warrior Quest International ($??.?? warriorquest.com, $15.00 ebay)

Honestly, I didn't expect much. After years of being inundated by Ninja Turtles and such, I expected this to be really cheesey. At first, I thought I was right.

The cover of the video is dark and everyone on it is so serious. The opening has the obligatory choreographed fight scenes, though better done than most. Nobody tries to talk from the screen. The demonstrator (presumably Mark Grove) just demonstrates.

He, too, appears overly serious at first. His uniform top is a 3/4 sleeve so you can see his many oriental tatoos on both forearms. His haircut lets you know that Wolverine is definitely his favorite X-man. He purposefully keeps his head lowered so his eyes are draped in shadow. The dojo is dark. I suspect it is really a set for this video, but that's fine. It is the neatest and best done setting I have seen in a training film with excellent lighting and background music.

The video launches into a description of the weapon and reasons it is designed the way it is. It is followed by grip, reversals, basic attacks, combinations, footwork and a type of kata. Every section is preceded by a title screen that is artfully done. Each section is in a logical progression; moves smartly but at a metered pace. Each technique, stance or drill is shown at a slow pace, full speed and with an opponent, as well as from multiple angles. The voice-over is grammatically correct, clean and clear as well as well timed with the action. The graphics are very professional. The camera shots and close-ups are also professional and helpful to the viewer to understand the finer points. Technically, this was the most professional martial arts training video I have ever seen. Other than the fact that my copy quality was not what I would expect from a movie bought at Wal Mart, I have no suggestions for improvement.

Then, there's Mark Grove. OK. If I met him on the street, I might not take him as seriously as he appears to take himself. But...This guy can swing a blade. He moves like a martial artist. He is smooth and graceful in stances, posture and swordwork. He quickly wins you over with his mastery of his art. The cheesey nature of the video soon disolves as you realize the people who made this video, Mark Grove foremost, have great respect for their art. It is exhibited in the work they put into the set, camerawork, layout and performances. They take it seriously. That's what they wanted to get across. They did it in fine form. After watching the video multiple times, I would be proud to train with Mark Grove.

Overall, this is the best martial arts training video I have seen. It moves at a pace which allows you to pick up the techniques without getting bored. The website says it is the first of a series. I will purchase the follow-on videos.

[davjohns]

ZNKR Iai Kata Video ($19.95 Budogu.com)

This video goes through the ten official kata of the All Japan Kumdo Federation. It opens with the demonstrator holding a microphone and explaining what he is about to do. He makes a couple of errors speaking, but they don't bother to re-shoot, they just keep going. Then, the demonstrator stands out on the wooden floor of what appears to be a gym and goes through the kata. He announces the name of each at the beginning. Someone went back later and put in screens that declare the name and number of the kata in between his executions. There are no explanations, monologue, teaching, etc. There is just one angle and one execution at regular speed. In fact, you can hear people talking and joking off-camera throughtout the video. You can see in some mirrors behind the demonstrator that the camera is on a tripod and unattended. Some guys are standing around behind the camera facing the other direction and carrying on.

The video quality is fine. The demonstration is fine. If you absolutely needed to learn these kata and already had experience with a sword, you could make use of this video. Not worth the money, however.

[davjohns]

Chanbara Instructor's Training Course with Dana Abbott ($19.95 samuraisports.com)

Chanbara is like kumdo with padded weaponry sold by the same group that sells the video. It appears this is a sport that includes tournaments with people using the padded weaponry. The weaponry includes long and short swords, knives, chucks and bo.

This video is clearly done from a home video camera on a tripod. The sound is about what you would expect on a home video. The video itself has a cheap sticker on it that makes it clear it was copied without any realy marketing in mind.

The instruction is fairly well thought out. Dana Abbott takes you through several drills and does an entire class on video. He uses demonstrators to show technique as he explains. He uses an entire class to show drills with partners and as a group.

Chanbara as a weapons venue, however, lacks many of the techniques you would expect. Strikes with the sword are limited to what is described as five that are common to every sword study. They are the strike to the head, body, wrist, ankle and a thrust. Not the ones I would pick, but OK. These strikes are practiced over and over. The combatants seem to just beat each other with the padded weaponry.

Overall, not a bad attempt, but not really professionally done.

[bujingodai]

Mr Johns an excellent review. I was sent a copy by Grove Sensei, it's excellent and yes it is his dojo. He does have crazy hair no doubt. LOL I bug him about it.
In person he is a very enigmatic person. Very sure of what he does and you are correct very passionate about it as well. His dojo is a work of art and his students among the most dedicated I have ever witnessed.
I am not a part of his school but proud to be a fellow indie that holds close ties with him.
It is a great time to train with him, I will be back in Denver in March for the next summit and know it will be great.

[Bellator Manus]

I got one for the chucks. It might not be a sword, but if you collecting reviews . . .