Rickson Gracie: Choke

Starring:Rickson Gracie
Director: Robert Raphael Goodman
Studio: Manga Video
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
This exquisite piece of work is far more professional than any of the American pro wrestling mega-event videos produced recently. The often-gory fights are well handled and only play a small role; this video is not solely about fighting. Done in documentary style, Choke takes an introspective look at the men--their goals, their dreams, and their families--who become the ultimate fighting machines in the ring at the 1995 Vale Tudo World Fighting Championship in Tokyo.

Delving into the life of the undefeated and undisputed world freestyle fighting champion, Rickson Gracie, a 30-year-old jujitsu expert from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this video displays a side that you rarely see in sports: the articulate, intelligent family man who turns his training into the art of movement and athleticism--not violence. It also explores the world of two men expected to offer a serious challenge to Gracie: American heavyweight kickboxer Todd "Hollywood" Hays and Japanese shootfighting heavyweight champion Koichiro Kimura. These two men provide some of the more uplifting moments in the documentary. Hays, who is also a member of the U.S. Olympic bobsled team, explains how he will use his performance money to fund his dream of buying a bobsled that will allow him to be a driver in the 1998 Winter Games. Kimura completes his training but then has to ask the permission of his elderly parents to compete. The big man bluffs his way through with a warm smile and a respectful manner.

Amazon.com

This exquisite piece of work is far more professional than any of the American pro wrestling mega-event videos produced recently. The often-gory fights are well handled and only play a small role; this video is not solely about fighting. Done in documentary style, Choke takes an introspective look at the men--their goals, their dreams, and their families--who become the ultimate fighting machines in the ring at the 1995 Vale Tudo World Fighting Championship in Tokyo.

Choke is an insightful look at a full-contact, controversial sport. The only warning it should carry is that some of the scenes are graphically violent and some of the language is X-rated. --Gordie Sholtys

Customer Reviews:

Rickson the Great.......2007-07-08

This is a great look into a few days and hrs inside the legend known as Rickson Gracie. Anyone who really knows BJJ and it orgins knows Rickson is arguably the greatest fighter ever. This video really shows you how great Rickson was for his time and shows how far advanced he was. This video left me wishing I could see more of Rickson and wondering what if he competed today. It is a great inside look to how the baddest man alive flet and dealt with pre fight gitters. Long Live Gracie Jiu Jitsu!

Decent fights, but this video was no fun at all..........2007-02-25

I just started learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and think its a great and amazing fighting style, but this movie didn't really capture my interest at all. It could be that I just don't watch BJJ or MMA or whatever at all, but the fights were pretty short and mostly disappointing. I did see the general idea behind Gracie fighting style in action, which was good. However, to me (someone just starting to learn BJJ), this wasn't all that exciting. I didn't get to see a lot of moves, and many counters happening. Similarly, to someone who only likes martial arts enough to watch the occasional Jet Li movie...well, there's a reason that movies show striking martial artists rather than grapplers, its just more exciting, so this documentary wouldn't really appeal to those guys. And to people who do watch a lot of MMA and real fighting, I'd guess that watching UFC would be a lot more entertaining.

However, I do think that this must be a more significant video for its "historical" value. My understanding is that BJJ wasn't well known back in 95 when this vale tude (or whatever its called -- no rules fighting) tournament happened. So for that reason Rickson must have been a big deal and something exciting at that point.

Don't get me wrong, I think that guy is awesome, but the movie was no good. Good fighter does not equal good movie producer.

A good documentary on early years of MMA.......2007-02-21

A good look at the life inside and outside of the ring of an mixed-martial-art contestant, Rickson Gracie. His family helped popularize the concept of MMA competition for North American audiences with the debut of the Ultimate Fighting Champsionship back in 1993 in Denver, Colorado. Even though Rickson is probably the strongest Gracie in terms of physical and technical abilities, the family chose Royce to compete in UFC to demonstrate that a physically small person can defeat much larger opponents using superior grappling techniques.

If you're a fan of MMA, this is a good DVD to watch to see how competition has evolved over the years.

Wonderful insight.......2007-02-09

I gave this documentary 4 stars because I have a personal interest in grappling/mma/the gracie family, that being said I would give it 3 stars for anyone with no general interest in the subject matter.

I especially enjoyed the insight into Rickson Gracie's training and personal life. You can't help admire the man for the amazing athlete and family man he is.

Good look inside the world of No Holds barred fighting.......2006-10-29

This video is very good from a couple of different view points. It shows the human side of the fighters and the reasons why they have chosen to fight. It shows the families and the concerns and support they have for the fighters. This video also shows how different styles of martial arts stack up to each other. In particular you can see how Rickson Gracie and Brazilian Jujitsu completely dominate the tournament. This is a very good video and I would recomend it to all martial artist.

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