4 comments about Early Masters of Tae Kwon Do.

1. This DVD contains archival footage (as is the case with many Rising Sun Productions DVDs) of General Choi and others performing I.T.F. Taekwondo forms, techniques, etc. The footage has not been cleaned up in any way, thus the image quality is what you'd expect for 40 year old film. That I can handle - but who decided to use waltzes for the entire audio track????? I don't know what music would have matched the movements, but the waltzes just don't cut it for me... it's too incongruous. I had to turn down the sound to finish the DVD.
   
   I think there is tremendous value in preserving this type of footage on DVD; Don Warrener and Rising Sun are to be commended for these efforts. It would be great if it could be digitally cleaned a bit (admittedly an expensive proposition for material with a such limited appeal, so I suspect it will never happen) and if it had more appropriate music.



2. Ok,i saw this dvd for 20minutes,and i fell sleep right away!
   why? because background music is so boring that makes you
   sleep right away... I like all the forms,but i notice that
   their forms seems to me came from shotokan karate katas.
   i know that general choi said he studied karate in japan,
   but he never mention which style of karate! I think he is not
   honest person,because he make storys about Takkyon and himself.. But as far as i know Taekwondo and Takkyon don't share anything common...



3. I had been studying Tae Kwon Do for about 8 months as I eagerly awaited this dvd (which looked home made when I recieved it.) I was disappointed with what I bought. The footage is extremley grainy, the sound is poor/ (music?) and I was foolish enough to think I would benefit from viewing this. Well I did learn something about myself. Dont act impulsivley.There must be better footage than this. My opinion is that this dvdr is not worth the s&h I payed



4. This video should be in every TKDist's collection. The main portion of the video is in grainy black and white with a few "bad" sections from the original source but it is still very clear and absolutely fascinating. It shows many of the early masters performing the original Chang Hon forms (24, no "Juche" by the way) in the "old way" without sine-wave and in a very Shotokan-esque "hard" style.
   
   Granted, the overdubbed music is a bit over-the-top and the black-and-white may be offputting but the content is amazing. There is a lot of material to see from comparing the "old way" of doing the forms to some of the demos, step sparring, training drills, and especially the Hapkido cane at the end.
   
   Between forms, they perform breaking demos, self defence, sparring and other such stuff. It's priceless to see the art as it was in the 60/70's and to see how much has changed. Following the first part, there are some "newer" demos from the 70s (I guess) with more breaking and one steps, again very interesting.
   
   The last section is old video of a Hapkido artist demonstrating 20 cane techniques. This is awesome and a must for any HKDist in my opinion.
   
   Highly recommended for serious students of Taekwondo (and Hapkido). I would recommend this for more advanced students who are ready to explore a bit more beyond the dojang.

1 comments about WTF Poomse Intructional DVD By Master Cliff Hong (2008).

1. Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1V2L77OWEYUF1 WTF Poomse Intructional DVD By Master Cliff Hong (2008)ITF Poomse Instruction DVD with Master Cliff Hong (2008)
   
   "This is the perfect forms video, love it. Thank you again for a great for DVD." ~ Julie Krantz
   
   "Very well made DVD, great instructions and quality, would gladly recommend." ~ Thomas Michael
   
   "Master Hong has the formula to make anyone a champion." ~ James Moontasari
   
   "Great DVD. Great demonstration of Poomse with helpful back view." ~ Betsy Jaffe

2 comments about General Choi Hong Hi, Founder of Korean Art of Tae Kwon Do -D.

1. I was disappointed with this DVD. It reminded me of a home video. Choppy editing, variable volume. Most of the time was spent on an interview with General Choi Hong Hi, founder of taekwon-do. I had a hard time understanding it without subtitles and the interviewer clearly didn't understand what General Choi was saying, either. It was embarrassing to watch. I enjoyed seeing some of the patterns performed back in the 1960s, but if that's what you're looking for, a better choice would be the 4 disc CD-ROM set Legacy: Taekwon-do Multimedia Encyclopedia. It includes interviews with the General, all 24 patterns, the entire 15 volume Taekwon-do Encyclopedia, and 200 Korean words related to taekwon-do. Highly valuable for any student.
   
   Bottom line is, I was hoping this DVD would make a nice addition to my small collection, but I'm considering donating it to the public library.



2. This is a really great video for any TKDist's collection. The whole video is about 85 minutes long and it starts off with a very good 55 minute interview with General Choi on a variety of topics, especially on his vision for Taekwondo. He discusses his time in Japan, in the Japanese Army in Pyongyang and in prison in North Korea. He mentions his background in Karate and mentions that his "study" of Taek Kyeon only really covered 1 or 2 "movements". For those who have an interest in the History of Taekwondo (beyond the "whitewashed" histories that so often appear), this is a great resource. Granted, you will have to patiently listen carefully to General Choi to understand exactly what he's saying but it's worth the effort.
   
   It continues with a view of General Choi's home routines, including his stretching and exercises as well as some body hardening techniques he does. It also has a nice "walk through" of his trophies and awards.
   
   The final section of the video is composed of a variety of demos, featuring GM Park Jung-soo and others. There is great footage of the Chang Hon Forms, breaking demos, Hapkido-esque self defence and even some techniques done on the knees.
   
   Overall the interview is very fascinating and the extra clips alone are worth the price of the video. Highly recommended for serios students of TKD, and it's a nice companion to "Early Masters of Taekwondo" available from the same source.

No comments about Mastering Tae Kwon Do Basics.

No comments about Mastering Tae Kwon Do Advanced Kicks Jump and Flying.

No comments about Mastering Tae Kwon Do Under Black Belt Patterns.

3 comments about ''KILL THE GOLDEN GOOSE''.

1. Too bad there are no ZERO stars.. This "thing" would get it.
   OK, Parker WAS working for Elvis and so on.
   But apart from that, which is extremely minor, WHAT is this thing doing under "Elvis Presley" when you search for new Elvis Presley DVD's?
   Amazon sure had a strange way to put things together.
   Go ahead try it: Type "Elvis Presley" in DVD search and you'll get a certain number of DVD's... including this.
   Come on Amazon... wake up!



2. This of course is an older film but you still get to see Mr. Parker in action in this film. This is a definite martial arts masterpiece. If your into Kenpo you need to pick this up and see Mr. Parker doing Kenpo.



3. These are the Martial Arts Heroes that I grew up with. To have this
   film in my private library is a real treat. Master Han is a class act (as always). Having studied Kenpo I had hoped to see Master Parker
   step out of his character (in this film) and give more of a demonstration of his incredible hand speed. But, all in all... it has a reasonably
   good plot and was well worth the money.

No comments about Mastering Tae Kwon Do Black Belt Sparring.

1 comments about Mastering Tae Kwon Do Self Defence.

1. This is a excellent source for any itf instructor/student it explains
   all self-defense from white to black belt. again excellent source
   
   taekwon,
   Kevin

5 comments about Tae Kwon Do Chung Do Kwan Basic Techniques.

1. As a novice to Tae Kwon Do, I found the DVD very informative. It is a great practice guide; the demonstration is excellent, especially the views from different angles are very useful.The instructions are clear and draw attention to important details. The selection feature on the DVD makes it easy to view, practice any section of the instructions.



2. As a practicing martial artist for 25 years, the first 10 in the Korean martial arts, I have seen my share of instructional videos. If you want a clear picture of the moves, requirements, and basic form necessary for beginners to advance in the Korean art of Tae Kwon Do, this is the DVD for you. The camerawork, performances, content, and organizational layout of the DVD are of high quality.



3. This DVD clearly demonstrates the fundamentals of this sport. I was impressed with the presentation and recommend it as the best I have seen.



4. Haven't viewed the dvd yet since I am giving it to my son for Christmas but was happy with quick delivery.



5. It's a good DVD for beginners. I like when the forms are shown
   simultaneously from two different angles.
   The self defense part is useful. Also, the teacher is good at demonstrating
   how to break fall.