REVIEW: Deadly Art of Survival, The (1979)

Julius Carry speaks to me in my sleep. The first time this happened, he had awakened me with the horrible news concerning a remake. Carry’s role in a classic martial arts film, that represented New York City during the eighties had been touched. A film that many considered to be the first mergers of Hip Hop and martial arts, which was released before 1985.

Julius had barely had a chance to settle in his grave before he received the disturbing news. The formula they were using to disrespect him, required them to contact the default Hip-Hop slash martial arts person of our era.

The second time Julius spoke to me in my sleep, he told me to go beyond Staten Island and look beyond any dragons. I started digging in the crates, searching for something that I did not know was there.

Had there been a merger of Hip-Hop and martial arts before the RZA? Before THE LAST DRAGON? Was there a pivotal New York City martial arts film that captured the essence of the city?

During my search, I was stumbled upon THE DEADLY ART OF SURVIVAL. I had known of the director Charlie Ahearn, through his work in Hip-Hop. He had created the graffiti themed film “Wild Style”, which catapulted his career in 1983. However, I had failed to take interest in his earlier work.

I took a gamble and decided to review THE DEADLY ART OF SURVIVAL, which was released in DVD format in late 2007. Through a series of weekends during 1977 and ’78, Ahearn had filmed the movie in Manhattan’s lower east side. The film was released in two theaters in 1979 and shown by Ahearn in small settings there after. The film was placed on the back burner with the development and the success of Wild Style.

The story’s protagonist is Manhattan’s own Nathan Ingram. Nathan portrays himself, the real life instructor of “The Deadly Art of Survival” school, which is tucked away in the heart of the Smith Projects. A real life Bruce Leroy who created his fighting style to provide an alternative to the troubled environment that was pervasive in the Smith projects at that time.

During the film a drug lord’s wife, who is one of Nathan’s students, becomes unexpectedly pregnant, Nathan is blamed and the drug lord seeks vengeance. A rival karate school known as “The Disco Dojo,” which is led by the weed-smoking sensei “Handsome Harry,” is bought in to the mix, to dispose of Nathan.

The story has plenty of holes, but it has all of the elements of classic martial arts films. The maiden who is dishonored, the wrongly accused protagonist, rival martial arts schools and a few ninjas running around the projects, that adds a comical element to the film.

However, during the hour-long film, you won’t be short for action. Nathan, who was 23 when this film was released, is a skilled martial artist whose style is a combination of karate and kung fu that he had been studying since the age of eleven. The fight scenes are choreographed well. Nathan and his students would actually perform many of these fight sequences in parks and public events around the city prior to working on this film. The fighting is believable and the action is frequent enough that you ignore any errors that you’ll notice during the action.

Charlie Ahearn successfully captured the essence of New York City during the late ’70s. The Super 8 film, adds to the vintage feeling which is truly appreciated years later. The speech, music, clothing, and landmarks long gone perfectly speak on a city that has been changed since. Ahearn had also included art direction from Lee Quinones, famous graffiti pioneer, who had contributed his hand to one of the films sets. This is important because this makes the film one of the first mergers of martial arts and Hip-Hop.

The cinematography is sketchy at times. You’ll see a few bad edits and a light stand or two in frame, but you have to consider that Ahearn did most of the shooting by himself and worked with untrained actors, who did not have a script. You’ll appreciate the effort if nothing else.

The DVD special features section includes, a director’s commentary which is actually essential, because you really can’t understand the unscripted film plots without it. Ahearn elaborates on how the film came to be and provides filmmakers with tactics that can be used to create features of their own.

The last special feature of the DVD is an interview with Charlie Ahearn and Nathan Ingram in 2007. The two had actually lost contact for over 15 years and during the 10-minute interview, the two speak briefly on the role the movie had in their lives and how it was put together. We also learn that years later, Nathan is still active in the community, teaching martial arts at a school in Chinatown.

This movie fits right along side all of your favorite martial arts films that are loved because of their attempt more so then execution. When watching it, you’ll have to meet the director and cast half way with your imagination to make the experience successful.

Charlie Ahearn had birthed the merger of Hip-Hop and martial arts long before the RZA has begun to sharpen his blades. Nathan Ingram taught the deadly art of survival long before anyone caught bullets with their teeth.

With my new knowledge, I was eager to thank Julius for my new findings. Julius seemed unphased and rolled over and went back to sleep. I tried to wake him, I said “Julius, what about the guy trying to be you in the remake?”

He laughed and said, “That guy wishes he could kiss my converse!”

I speak to Julius Carry in my sleep. Julius Carry rest in peace.

by Nigel Clarke

Related Topics:
Nathan Ingram  •  The Deadly Art of Survival (1979)