Rating 5/5 Ok, Ok...

I hold my hands up, Choke isn't a new video and most people already have it but there must be some people out there who this has passed by.

Choke - a documentary following three fighters through the preparation for and participation in the 1995 Japanese Vale Tudo Open. Most notably the eponymous subject, Rickson Gracie. Also introduced are American Kickboxer and Wrestler, Todd 'Hollywood' Hayes and Japanese Wrestler and Shootfighter, Koichiro Kimura.

Using a documentary style not yet applied to the NHB scene this film allows a look into the behind the scenes workings of a large tournament. The wranglings and panics behind the scenes, the thoughts and feelings of the fighters and stunning fight footage are all captured in this enthralling video. Fight footage is interspersed with back stage reaction from the other fighters, locker room analysis gives an insight into the workings of a champion, the video is a complete package.

Each of the three featured fighters is given a segment, exploring their motivation and training methods on the run up to the fight. Gracie himself comes across as a zen master of Vale Tudo, his dedication to training an intensely personal thing. Todd Hayes, competing to fund his Olympic dream in another event, the small town kid grown tough. Kimura, the innocent, competing in his first pro event, always seems out of his depth. The contrast between these three is played to full effect - the samurai, the brawler and the novice.

I have a theory on why Rickson Gracie is as good as he is, he learned ju-jitsu from a very early age, his father Helio 'playing' with him even as a toddler. Forming an understanding of BJJ at the same time as he imprinted speech patterns, Rickson doesn't practice BJJ - he 'speaks' it like a second language, as fluently as he speaks portuguese. The rest of the family desrcibe him as 'the ultimate expression of Ju-jitsu', an impression shared by his students.

Rickson shows this during the fight sequences, 'talking' to his opponents in the ring, 'raising his voice' to gain the submission. You can't help but be inspired. This video ranks in the top three sports documentaries ever. The other two, When we were Kings and Hoop Dreams are remarkably similar in style and content. That we have such a great work exploring our beleagered sport should be used is a triumph. If you haven't seen this film go out now and buy it, you will not be disappointed.

Phil Wright | Cross Range Defence