Hello fellow forum members. It was recently suggested to me by another poster that we should perhaps start a martial arts instructional video sharing group. I have a ton of instructional vids but I am most interested in the Panther Productions videos which are not being produced anymore. I am going to list my collection here and if anyone has any other videos they would like to share or trade etc. please post them.
Here's the list:
Hsing-i Chuan James McNeil vols 1-10 My rating: 4 out of 5 stars
These were some pretty good vids and they feature the entire style. The reason that I didn't give it 5 stars is because James leaves a lot of info about the internal aspects of Hsing-i but to be fair so do most others who have produced vids. I actually studied Hsing-i under a real master in Asia many years after I bought these vids. I have incorporated some of the routines into my training such as the linking chain form which helps to lead chi into the extremitie between the elements and also his tiger form has 5 differnet variations which I thought was kind of cool. If you practiced the forms just off James' explanations and instructions without the knowledge of real internal Kung fu you'd end up mediocre at best.
Raul Ortiz - 7 Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu vols 1-9 My rating 4 out of 5 stars
These are also some pretty good vids and like Hsing-i I have also studied Praying Mantis in Asia. His style is very similar to mine with some variation. Each tape is a form or collection of forms which are then broke down into practical application. The main drawback of these tapes is like so many others from Panther there's lots of needless repetition and sometimes Raul doesn't explain some of the hand forms and you can't always tell which one he's doing in a particular move. Also included are forms in weapons - broadsword, staff, and spear.
Marco Ruas Vale Tudo vols 1-14 My rating 3 out of 5 stars
The content of these tapes is actually quite good but if you cut out the needless repetition they would be about 15 minutes each. These tapes are only one set of two from which I have actually used some of the material in a real fight. Originally Panther had these priced at $90.00 a piece.
Judo Gene Lebell Pro Wrestling finishing holds vols 1-3 My Rating 5 out of 5 stars
Gene's presentation n these vids is hillarious. About 40% of the moves he shows are show moves but these 3 tapes are jam packed with material. Also this is the other set of tapes that I have actually used some of the material in a real fight. Back in HS I was sitting on the bus with some kid who had mental probs and he didn't like the fact I as in the seat with him. He began hitting struggling with me and hitting me. I used the "cobra lock" that Gene demonstrated on tape 3 I think it was and it held him until the driver could come back and take over.
Miguel Ibarra Akijiujitsu vols 1-7 My rating 4 out of 5 stars
There's lots of good techinques on these vids but as always some pointless repetition.
Ken Ota Mastering Aikido vols 1-6 4 out of 5 stars
These tapes are very good on the instructional side and they don't leave much in question. Not as bad on the repetition as some of the others.
Paul Vunak Jeet Kune do Concepts 14 vols
I don't have much info on these as I hanven't really sat down and watched them much.
Peter Chema Shuai Jiao vols 1-10 3 out of 5 stars
Some good stuff on this set. Lots of it is pretty much the same stuff you'd find on any Judo vid but there are some unique moves here and there.
Shoto Tanemura Samurai Hanbojutsu Vols 1-6 5 out of 5 stars
Stick fighting. Pretty good and thorough instruction from wat I can tell. Goes far beyond what you normally find in a weapons tape set.
Bas Rutten Extreme Pancrease vols 1-10 4 out of 5 stars
Primarily MMA stuff. Good detailed instruction and if memory serves this was one of the more popular Panther sets.
Gary Castanza Zen Sekai Goshin Jitsu vols 1-7 3 out of 5 stars
Apparently a "conceived" style heavy on Judo techniques. I did a little research and found that Gary died a few years after making these. A lot of it seems too slow to be used against an aggressive attacker.
Robert Crosson Sugar Ryu Jujitsu vols 1-6 3 out of 5 stars
Afro-jitsu! If you've seen the movie Black Belt Jones then you'll have an idea what these are like. Most of it is pre grappling age standard street fare Karate. Some of the moves are interesting but I have my doubts as to the effectiveness of much of it in a modern context.
Salem Assili Savate vols 1-10 5 out of 5 stars
What I really liked about these are the conditioning tapes as they gave me a ton of stretching techniques I never knew existed. Lots of very unique leg attacks from the savate style. In my opinion a good style to study for stand up MMA.
The rest of what I have are partials but I do have some complete sets of non Panther videos in BJJ, Sambo, and others. I also have the Panther Bong soo Han Hapkido set but these are on youtube. I have the complete set of Keith Shwartz Judo set but these are available on Yoku (Chinese youtuvbe).
I will be acquiring the JoeJitsu BJJ Panther set soon as well as Fairiborz Azhakh Hapkido set and the Joo Bang Lee Hwarang do set.
If anyone else has some vids and wants to share please post them.