Mjeteconer Just perfect...

Platicsco Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Mandeep Tyson The acting in this movie is really good.

Mathilde the Guild Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

$kOrPiOnNeGrO This film is simply put, a gem. It's is a rare documentary on the most well-known of the Japanese martial arts, including Kyujutsu, Kendo, Karate, Judo, Iaido, Sumo, Naginatajutsu, Kobudo, and more. Although it is presented as a documentary, it is perhaps the most artistic expression of the genre. With it's use of Noh imagery and superb cinematography, Budo stands next to other well-known Japanese classics.Perhaps the most remarkable thing about this movie is the level and quality of the production for being an "independent" film with primarily a cult target audience. This movie is also very deliberate and careful in including a variety of schools, while preserving an impressive "who's who in Japanese martial arts" cast.If you ever wonder what Japanese martial arts are supposed be, or where it all originates, check this film out. Whether it's the super slow motion sequences of cutting, or the long and painstaking process of forging and creating the most beautiful weapon ever made, this movie is sure to impress you. You will not be disappointed.

Brian T. Whitlock (GOWBTW) The martial arts have always been my favorite. One of of them is karate. Influences like Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee made me want to get into this type of sport. Karate, kung fu, judo, aikido, and several other forms were very fascinating. My favorite part of the movie was the power-breaking. I've broken wood boards, bricks, and my favorite, ice blocks. I used trees, poles, and homemade dummies, to enhance my skills. The one segment with sumo wrestling really got me. I've seen the grueling workout they receive. The weight, the speed, and exercises is a must for these fighters. And the torture they get, I thought they had it rough. The ladies had their own kendo-like skills which is fascinating as well. Cleaning the floor looked like a ritual, which it is. Don't see any socks on these ladies. The samurai is one noble fighter and they are never forgotten in there. This documentary is fabulous. A must have for ALL Martial Arts buffs! 5 stars!

Bruno Smith I have a black belt in several of the martial arts discussed in this entertaining movie of Japan's Martial Arts. Overall, it is very close to accurate and has stunning photography, but it also contains many inaccurate "flaws", including the title. Budo is not the "Art of Killing" but the spiritual practice of the military arts. "Bujitsu" is the art of killing (thus the difference in "Do" and "Jitsu"). A lot of the facts presented are for dramatic effect and are not substantiated by many of the modern martial masters.The British often mistranslated many of the martial arts projects done from Japanese to English because the translators speak Japanese, but not the Japanese language of the martial arts. Even many everyday Japanese people don't fully understand some of the terms used because it is a technical language used for a specific purpose (i.e.: Computer terms are in English, but many of us don't understand them because of their technical nature).That being said, it is a very good source of history and a basic introduction to Budo. We have this movie in our dojo library, but we admonish students that it is NOT the "Bible of Budo", just a brief summary. I do highly recommend watching this movie as it displays some of the greatest living masters of the arts performing unbelievable feats of skill.

failedscreenwriter This movie should demonstrate that all documentaries don't have to be stuffy cinema-verite stuff. Very informative for anyone interested in Japanese martial arts, the various arts are profiled with the artistry of a Kurosawa film. Particularly interesting is the entry on Aikido, an art seldom glimpsed in the States except by the initiated. I have been trying to acquire this movie ever since I saw it in my Aikido class nearly 15 years ago.