... But while Rites Of Passage is crammed full of compelling clips, it's sadly bereft of a narrative thread to tie the whole thing together.
The Gracie and Kerr documentaries are unique in that they both tell the incredible stories of their protagonists, but in doing so also serve as compelling ... Read review
Rites Of Passage takes you on a journey throughout the explosive world of No Holds Barred ... more
Fighting. Enter the minds of these extreme athletes as they tour the world in search of fistic glory. The documentary critics are calling both explosive and bruta...
RITE OF PASSAGE takes you on a journey through the explosive world of Mixed Martial Arts, ... more
from the ritualistic fighting of Brazil to the slick productions of Japan and Hawaii. Enter the minds of these extreme athletes as they tour the world in search of glory. Witness first hand a behind-the-scenes introspective into this intense sport and learn why these modern day gladiators compete.
In the cabin of an ancient stinking warship bound for Australia a man writes a journal ... more
to entertain his godfather back in England. With wit and disdain he records mounting tensions on board as an obsequious clergyman attracts the animosity of the tyrannical captain and surly crew.
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Advantages: Lots of good footage Disadvantages: Not alot of interesting insight
...Gracie vehicle Choke. But while Rites Of Passage is crammed full of compelling clips, it's sadly bereft of a narrative thread to tie the whole thing together.
The Gracie and Kerr documentaries are unique in that they both tell the incredible stories of their protagonists, but in doing so also serve as compelling and worthwhile introductions to the world of combat sports. Rites Of Passage does not really have a central story to tell ... ...to show, and its own attempt to introduce the viewer to no-holds-barred and MMA competition feels somewhat distracted and confused.
The film is split into 3 disparate sections. These cover MMA fighters the Inoue brothers, the 2000 World Vale Tudo Championship in Brazil, and UFC 23, which was held in Tokyo in november 1999.
The access granted to the film-makers is impressive, and there's no shortage of footage shot in ... more
Perhaps even more than pro wrestling , mixed martial arts can provide superb raw material for intriguing documentaries, as evidenced by classics of the genre, such as The Smashing Machine (which charts Mark Kerr's addiction to painkillers) and the Rickson Gracie vehicle Choke. But while Rites Of Passage is crammed full of compelling clips, it's sadly bereft of a narrative thread to tie the whole thing together.
The Gracie and Kerr documentaries are unique in that they both tell the incredible stories of their protagonists, but in doing so also serve as compelling and worthwhile introductions to the world of combat sports. Rites Of Passage does not really have a central story to tell so much as it has a bunch of interview footage to show, and its own attempt to introduce the viewer to no-holds-barred and MMA competition feels somewhat distracted and confused.
The film is split into 3 disparate sections. These cover MMA fighters the Inoue brothers, the 2000 World Vale Tudo Championship in Brazil, and UFC 23, which was held in Tokyo in november 1999.
The access granted to the film-makers is impressive, and there's no shortage of footage shot in hotels, gyms and backstage at MMA events. There are clips from groups, ranging from Pride and UFC, all the way to Superbrawl and Shooto.
There is still some fascinating material within the film. Never will you find two more diametrically opposed men than Enson and Egan Inoue. Enson is the wild, outspoken bad boy who embraces the possibility of dying in the ring. Egan, on the other hand, is a gentle, peaceful soul who almost seems at odds with fighting.
But none of the interviewees (which include major names like Randy Couture and Mark Coleman) have anything of interest to say. This DVD is still fairly new but was filmed over 5 years ago, the sport has evolved entirely since then.
Extras, a 45-minute feature on MMA in Belfast, along with brief profiles of Mark Coleman, Kevin Randleman and former WWE developmental and New Japan wrestler Ron Waterman.
With all this it still remains an entertaining highlights reel.
Advantages: Great start to a marvelous series Disadvantages: Could have been one or two more episodes more
1940, Michelle Holmes was chosen to play Gary's wife Yvonne in the then present time of 1993.
Victor Mc Guire was chosen to play Gary's friend Ron, and Christopher Ettridge was to play 1940's policeman Reg Dedman, the not so bright one of the bunch !
The script for the six episodes was written up pretty quick as there were so many new ideas for this show.
The first broadcast with the working title of "Rites of passage" went out on 18th November 1993, the BBC crossed their fingers. Would this be a hit ????.
I shall now tell you what is on the DVD
Series one :
Rites of passage
First broadcast 18/11/93
TV repair man Gary Sparrow is trying to find somewhere in the east end of London to do a job, he is told that a shortcut is down Ducketts passage. He parks up, walks down the passage and is amazed at how different everything is ...
![Rites Of Passage [DVD]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78520272.jpg)
