The Gauntlet Trials: Blood, Sweat, & Teeth (Approx. 80 Min.)
Originally Posted: Planet NHB Grappling Video Reviews
I was lucky enough to receive a pre-release copy of this new NHB documentary. Let me say, it is one of the most honest, realistic looks at NHB fighting out there. Many people have seen the incredible documentary on Rickson Gracie, Choke. This film contains many of the elements that made Choke great, while at the same time focusing on an event and fighters that are so radically different. Whereas Choke was centered on Rickson's preparation and performance in the multimillion dollar Pride-1 show in front of 30-40,000 people, BS&T focuses on a small NHB event, the Gauntlet Trials, in an auditorium in the town of Macon, Georgia in front of maybe 100 people. The competitors in this event fight not for a $1,000,000 purse, but rather the chance at winning and being able to make a pro debut.
The main focus is on David "Rhino" Rivera and his quest to "discover" himself and fight in a no rules match. Many interviews with David, his boxing coach, his kickboxing coach, weight lifting mentor, etc. follow. It is somewhat sad while being humorous at the same time hearing David's weightlifting coach and friend make the statement that "David does NOT have what it takes" or "David will get hurt" EACH time he is interviewed.
While the main focus is on "Rhino" Rivera, each fighter in the event is interviewed. These interviews provide a seldom seen glance into the head of the fighters that make up this event. The motivations of each competitor range from "All I know how to do is fight," "I want to test my martial arts training," "I want to test myself," and many more. One marine fighter makes the statement that "We are men and are meant to be warriors" while his opponent states that he hopes for a "clean" fight and that they are not there to hurt each other. Needless to say, the marine wins; however, later in the evening, he loses by a ref stoppage on a straight armbar. After the fight he was complaining about the "bullshit" call. In one of the funniest moments on the tape, his friend off camera states that the ref did it for his protection and that he would have been hurt had the fight not been stopped.
This documentary is good for both those familiar with NHB as well as those not. We are taken to the rules meeting where the rules are explained and questions answered. Safety is constantly stressed by the promoters, ref, and fighters, all of whom state that NHB is a safe, controlled sport and express their desire to win public acceptance. As with Choke, clips of the fights are shown. However, in this case, not just the fights of the main competitor but rather clips of all of the fights and fighters. At times when a tap out or submission is not too obvious to the novice, it is highlighted on the screen, further emphasizing that this documentary appeals to as wide an audience as possible.
I won't say if Rivera won, but I will say get this. This is an excellent, non glamorized view of the "real" MMA scene, far removed from the "superstars" of PRIDE. I would say get this, as it is an excellent documentary as well as an excellent way to support the sport. While, this is not being widely distributed yet, an "underground pre-release" copy can be obtained for $20 from www.onehornproductions.com.
Author:The GrapplersWorld.com Staff
Originally Posted: grapplersworld.com
Blood Sweat & Teeth is a documentary about the sport of No Holds Barred fighting. Director Adam Warren with One Horn Productions follows an amateur competitor, David "Rhino" Rivera through his training and into his climactic fight at the Gauntlet Trials in Macon, Georgia. It chronicles his training routine, his trainers, his views on the sport, and hisfamily's and friend's fears for his safety. Throughout the film, numerous other fighters and trainers are interviewed, the promoter and judges are interviewed, a variety of matches take place, and the rules of the game are explained. All of this is also backed by a raw soundtrack that juxtaposes the mood and feel of the entire experience.
Considering the event itself, the Gauntlet Trials is more of a Pancrase rules event with open hand strikes when the action is taken to the ground, but punching is allowed on the feet.
This documentary answers a lot of questions about the sport by going behind the scenes and diving into the psyche of the average or amateur fighter. Though the main focus is on Rivera, many fighters give their own personal views before and after their fights, with their matches in-between. What this film does, more than anything else, is it answers the question of "why would someone want to do that?". Why would a man want to step into a ring and face another man in this type of competition that has been labeled "human cockfighting" by so many opponents of mixed martial arts. The answer to this question is so soundly caught on tape that it completely demystifies the sport. It humanizes the sport. It portrays the amateur fighters as intelligent individuals with honest intentions and warrior spirit. It puts their fears and hopes on the table, and it takes the macho persona away from the fighters. That is the real magic of this film. Sure, the action is plentyful, but these are amateur fighters, this being their first fight for many of them. You aren't going to see any flying armbars, rolling kneebars, or Sakuraba-like antics. . But that being said, if you have trained in any facet of the mixed martial arts but have been a bit apprehensive about ever competing, this film will make you want to jump into the ring and give competition a shot.
Technically speaking, the documentary is shot in B&W and color with the use of film and video cameras. There are numerous freeze frames and slow motion shots and a small amount of animation that gives the film an artistic quality and feel that closely matches the content right along with the soundtrack that features a mixture of rap and rock music.
Blood, Sweat, and Teeth is a documentary for everyone. It is a fantastic look at the grass roots level of the sport of mixed martial arts with its unbiased portrayal of the competitors involved. It is a great documentary for fans of the sport who want a look behind the scenes, and it is an educational piece for opponents of the fledgling sport who have misconceived perceptions about a legitimate discipline. This is a refreshing piece of work amidst all of the years of sensationalistic bashing mixed martial arts has received in the United States. Go see it!
Author: Kirik Jenness
Originally Posted: MixedMartialArts.com
If you love MMA, you have probably seen a little bit coverage of it on television, and you probably thought what you saw was bad for us, completely uninformed. You thought this for a pretty simple reason—most people know nothing about our sport, and that 'most people' includes most people who work in media.
Blood, Sweat, and Teeth is, refreshingly, the exact opposite to nearly all mainstream coverage of MMA. For example, even in positive coverage like Choke, which I really appreciated, the work was done by people who clearly know an admirable amount about characters and film, and clearly not so much about fighting. The guys behind Blood, Sweat and Teeth know and respect the MMA game inside and out, and it shows throughout the piece. If you like MMA, you will love BS&T! It is our word getting out, finally.
For anyone who hasn't yet heard of it-and you will-Blood, Sweat and Teeth is a full length documentary following several competitors as they train for, and ultimately as they compete in a regional MMA contest. While the event is not at the national or international level, the intensity, fears, and dreams of the figures involved are universally familiar to us, and are universally compelling.
I would have liked to have seen even more coverage in the sense that there were a few fighters in the show that I would have really enjoyed viewing in training, and 'meeting' on screen. I am sure everyone who saw Choke wishes that Yuki Nakai had been profiled instead of the Japanese wrestler or the American luger/kickboxer, but directors aren't clairvoyant. And, I understand there may be a second installment in the future, covering a more prominent event.
I for one can't wait to see these guys turn their lenses on some of the big names in our sport. I want to be first in line to get the tape.
Author: Marcelo Alonso
Originally Posted: www.tatame.com.br
Our friend Adam Warren has sent us a copy of his new movie production BLOOD, SWEAT & TEETH". For sure an excellent support of NHB and MMA. The movie was a chance for the fighters at the grass roots level of the sport to speak about what it is they do and why they do it from their own perspective and not the media's. The sport on the whole is struggling for main stream acceptance and with a movie like BS&T that mission can be reached. It is crucial that the various fight communities embrace this movie as a platform to increase public awareness and to educate them about what this sport is really all about.The tape is available for purchase at the http://onehornproductions.com web site. They are accepting credit card orders as well as check and money orders. The tape is available for $29.95 plus shipping and handling.
Author: Karl Schmidt GSE (Reality Combat)
Originally Posted: Global Sports & Entertainment
One Horn Productions has broken the ice for the NHB fight world. Finally, a film that gives an honest, and worthy approach to NHB Fighting. With the new release of Blood Sweat and Teeth people can get an inside glimpse of the up and coming fighters without the negativity. This film lets you see the real heart, mind and soul of some of the young and future competitors of NHB fighting. Blood Sweat and Teeth will let you hear what each fighter has to say about his sport and why they do it. It hits all the right viewpoints. From the fighters training and preparation to their outside lives. As a fighter and a promoter I am glad to see One Horn Productions is on our side. This is one of the many steps needed to bring our sport alive. If you haven’t already viewed Blood Sweet and Teeth I suggest you consider it. Be on the lookout for the sequel Rage in the Cage. This film footage is from Reality Combat, the fighters and the promoters.