Movie spotlight
Budo: The Art of Killing
Budo: The Art of Killing is an award winning 1978 Japanese martial arts documentary created and produced by Hisao Masuda and financed by The Arthur Davis Company. Considered a cult classic, the film is a compilation of various Japanese martial art demonstrations by several famous Japanese instructors such as Gozo Shioda, Taizaburo Nakamura and Teruo Hayashi. Martial arts featured in the film include: Karate, Aikido, Kendo, Sumo, and Judo among others.
Insights
Plot Summary
This documentary explores the philosophy and practice of Kyokushin Karate, a full-contact martial art founded by Masutatsu Oyama. It delves into the rigorous training methods, the mental discipline required, and the spirit of "Budo," the way of the warrior. The film showcases practitioners engaging in intense sparring, breaking demonstrations, and philosophical discussions about self-improvement through combat.
Critical Reception
As a documentary focused on a specific martial art, "Budo: The Art of Killing" received attention within the martial arts community for its raw depiction of Kyokushin Karate. While not widely reviewed by mainstream critics, it is often praised for its authentic portrayal of Masutatsu Oyama's discipline and its educational value for martial arts enthusiasts. Audience reception tends to be positive among those interested in karate and its historical context.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its unvarnished look at Kyokushin Karate training.
Valued for its insight into Masutatsu Oyama's philosophy.
Seen as a definitive look at the 'death match' aspect of the art.
Google audience: Information on Google user reviews is not readily available for this specific documentary.
Fun Fact
The film features Masutatsu Oyama himself, offering a direct insight into the founder's perspective on his martial art and its principles.
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