REVIEW: ‘The Best of the Martial Arts Films’ (1985)

This documentary is an entertaining exploration of martial arts film that shows its age. There are plenty of fight scenes taken from some of the best films up to 1985 and it’s actually nice to see some of the once up-and-coming Asian and American stars such as Cynthia Rothrock and Sibelle Hu featured.

There are plenty of fight scenes picked from various films although several of them are repeated and plenty of films are not represented, notably many Shaw Brothers films.

Since this documentary was co-produced by Raymond Chow at Golden Harvest their films are prominently featured. Little new insight is provided on these films with the exception of several interviews with Sammo, Jackie, and Rothrock.

The only real behind-the-scenes look takes place on the set of a Rothrock film being directed by Robert Clouse (ENTER THE DRAGON).

If you’ve seen most of Sammo’s, Jackie’s or Rothrock’s films, there is little reason to visit this DVD. Although it doesn’t feature the great films of the early ’90s, this documentary is still a good introduction for new or young fans of the ’80s era of martial arts filmmaking.