Human Weapon Season One

History Channel

ABCTV

Roadshow

R4 DVD

This documentary series is an interesting look at the forms of martial arts practiced around the world. Many of these fighting forms were devised as a response to oppressive governments who attempted to disarm the population or as a means of self defence in troubled times. The series explores the history of the various forms as well as their practices. It does not glorify the violent aspects but explains their context in the history of the nation and why they were so effective that they have lasted into modern times.

The two presenters are Jason Duff, a Mixed Martial Arts practitioner (an American form of competitive martial arts drawing on many pure forms) and Bill Chambers, a huge ex-footballer and now a wrestler. The episodes take them to many of the best teachers of the various martial arts forms and with their mixture of abilities and professional training they can demonstrate what a particular form is about - the hits, holds, throws and contact points. Many forms have their own internal divisions which may, for instance, emphasis throws or grappling. At the end of each episode one of the two will face a skilled fighter (and usually get a hiding). In the course of a short full-contact match we can see just how fast and deadly many of the forms are when demonstrated by an expert.

I was surprised at just how many forms of martial arts there were. Sure, everyone has heard of karate, kung fu, and probably Thai kickboxing (the form shown her is Muay Thai). Many can still remember the less glamorous defence forms of Judo. How many have heard of the traditional Filipino art of Eskrima Stickfighting, or the French streetfighting technique of Savate? Or the Russian Sambo?

As well as the Mixed Martial Arts movement in the United States many organizations have devised their own form, drawing on the earlier styles. We see The Marine Corps Martial Arts, another adaptation that is more combat-oriented, as well as the Israeli army’s Krav Maga version. It is unusual to see a man practicing unarmed combat techniques while carrying a gun but the martial arts are just as effective and less dangerous against unarmed opponents

Each style is illustrated by slow-motion moves by the combatants and by CGI animations. The aiming points and the reasons for selecting them are covered, and each part of the series becomes literally a blow-by-blow description of the art. The parts of the body used for the attack are also discussed. Did you know that the elbow is the single hardest part of the body, containing large bones and very little cushioning flesh? If you hit someone with an elbow the hit can carry the full force of your body as well as the extra velocity of swinging from the shoulder.

The extras included in the four-DVD set are a series of Master Fights showing the styles in action and a Master Moves short. This is probably not a series for the kiddies.

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This review will appear in Volume 3 No. 2 of the digital and print edition of Synergy Magazine.

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