Customer Reviews

Wing Chun - Science of In-Fighting [VHS]

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

There are quite a number of videos now available on the Wing Chun combat system, some of which run into several volumes and have running times of over two or more hours. This tape, however, while one of, if not the earliest of those available, and with a running time well under an hour, is far and away the best of the bunch and offers so much more than products running three times as long. Featuring the late Sifu Wong Shun-Leung, teacher and classmate of the legendary Bruce Lee, the tape offers an overview of the fighting system made famous in Hong Kong in the '50s and '60s through the real life exploits of Sifu Wong in so-called "contests" against various other combat systems, where he emerged the victor on each and every occasion. The tape is basically broken down into the following sections: 1) Wing Chun History, 2) Basic Concepts (including footwork and "Centreline Theory"), 3) 'Siu Nim Tau' form and form breakdown/applications, 4) 'Chi Sau' concepts and applications, and 5) a brief discussion of further forms and weapons. While no where near as in-depth as more recent tapes may have tried to be, this particular tape illustrates perfectly the Wing Chun concepts of SIMPLICITY, DIRECTNESS and EFFICIENCY by offering so much to the viewer by way of it's non-complicated approach. A fine introduction to Wing Chun for the uninitiated, and a valuable reference and tribute to a real life legend in the system for the serious devotee. This video is a definite MUST HAVE for martial arts fans. If there is anything negative to be said about it, it is that, sadly, the sequel tape mentioned at the end of the program, was never produced, ...more's the pity since the death of Sifu Wong in 1997. Buy this tape, ...you wont regret it!

I first bought this in VHS format. I loved it so much that I purchased the DVD. Yes, the DVD is much better quality and worth the incredibly fair asking price. "Wing Chun: The Science of In-Fighting" is expertly produced and filmed from perfect angles which allows the viewer to accurately discern all the subtle nuances of each move/technique that is shown. Master Cheung is incredible! Obviously an experienced teacher and Wing Chun player. He goes through everything you need to know to get started or brush up your chops in Wing Chun basics. I also appreciate that the techniques are repeated, sometimes in slow motion, which allows for good comprehension without the need for incessant "rewinding". All the presented material is extremely solid. Even the background music is perfect in that it keeps the presentation flowing seamlessly. Take my advice and don't listen to the knucklehead who gave this dvd a bad review. Click the link and check out his other reviews. He isn't even into martial arts and probably has never viewed this dvd. Also, I think most people are sick of all the condescending jackasses who keep giving the same advice about not being able to learn martial arts from a book, video, movie or whatever. I think most people who hear this overstated advice think the same thing as if someone had just told them 1 + 1 = 2. MOST, not ALL, people who buy martial arts dvds, books, etc. are TRULY martial artists (who have learned from teachers, lessons, classes, etc.) who use the materials in a variety of ways, i.e. inspiration, further knowledge, comparative analysis, familiarization with different styles, etc., etc., etc. (plus, I wouldn't rule out the possibility that a person could become a self-taught expert... why discourage someone?) Anyway, this dvd is a must-have. I can't say a bad thing about it. Even the added (promotional) material is great. You will enjoy (and learn from) this dvd over and over. It never gets stale. Even though it was created a long time ago it is still on the cutting edge, which is a hallmark of a great effort and true classic.

Video quality is good considering the age of the original footage. English dubbing was OK, but I also expected the original Chinese to be available. Oh well ....

A pretty basic introduction to the main Wing Chun philosophy, centre line theory, gates, etc.

Good demonstration of the basic footwork and how to apply it. Brief run through of the first form: Sil Lim Tao and applications.

What I enjoyed the most was towards the end with the 2-man scenarios. Sifu Wong would demonstrate a technique taken from Sil Lim Tao which one of his students would counter, then the next scene would be his counter to the counter.

You won't be able to learn Wing Chun from this DVD, but it is a good overview of the Wing Chun philosophy and some very well filmed sequences. I'm sure I will dip into this periodically as my own Wing Chun training progresses.

Sifu Wong died in 1997 so there is no follow up video demonstrating the next form: Chum Kiu (Searching for the Bridge). A great shame.

I study Wing Chun under a different lineage than Master Wong Shun Leung's, but had always respected him based on what I'd heard about him; this video confirms that. I have watched a few other Wing Chun videos by different instructors and usually came away disappointed becuase of the low production quality, poor audio, and meandering content (some of them look like they're filmed with home video cameras on the spur of the moment with no planning). This video is different however. You can tell that some thought and planning went into how it was laid out, with different sections being announced by a title page, quality narration, and very useful content. I liked the fact that the video shows you the actual applications behind the techniques in the Siu Nim Tao form. My appreciation for this form grew greatly after watching the video. I also liked how he showed the basics of Dan Chi Sao and Chi Sao (Sticking Hands). It's too bad that Master Wong passed away a few years ago, it would have been nice to see some more quality videos from him (by the way, the end of the video mentions a never-released sequel and even shows some clips of Master Wong doing the Chum Kiu, wooden dummy, & weapons forms; someone should find that stock footage and release it as a new video!). I bet Wong Shun Leung was a great teacher to those who were lucky enough to have studied under him before his death. May he rest in peace.

This video, while definitely dated (which can be noted by the early 80's cheesy music and sound effects in the opening sequence), is an excellent training tool to begin learning the basics of Wing Chun.

Like any video, it doesn't cover everything, it can't. However, I found that it did an excellent job of covering the basic hand forms, chi sao (sticky hands), and explaining the principals behind them. Wong Shun Leung shows slowly how to do the moves, then quickly, and then 'shows the movement in application'. This is very important, as just knowing how to do the move does not tell you what to do with it.

He also shows you how to do the first of the Wing Chun forms, "Sil Lim Tao" (sometimes called Siu Nim Tao, don't be fooled, they're the same thing, neither is incorrect).

The video does lack in the area of footwork, movement, and sticky legs. It covers the basic stance and front to back movement, but little more.

Don't let that discourage you though, because with the purchase of another video (like Augustine Fong's Wing Chun Fundamental Techniques - which covers footwork & sticky legs nicely, but is lacking in the hands forms area) you can easily supplement the learning.

This video is very well laid out, but i definitely recommend getting something to supplement it, like I mentioned above, and also look at the book Wing Chun Kung Fu by James Yimm Lee. This will help in learning the Sil Lim Tao form.

I hope this helps.

This was my introduction to Wing Chun. Wong Shun Leung demonstrates the economy of motion that makes Wing Chun famous. I found a local Wing Chun school to study at after watching this. As a style, Wing Chun is so direct and economical that one may be tempted to think it is ineffective, but that is not the case. This style is real, effective, and a wonderful gift from China.

This tape is not suited for instruction, but is wonderful for motivation. I was unable (unlike other reviewers) to learn the Si Lum Tao form from watching this video (and suspect most people won't be able to either), but after learning the form at my local school, I could go back to this and appreciate how masterfully it is presented in the video.

The soundtrack features some playfully goofy 70s style music, and the silly striking sounds (all too familiar from the kung fu movies of the era) are a bit too much, but these are minor nits in an otherwise enjoyable presentation.

While there are several multi volume Wing Chun tapes out there on the market, there is not in this writer's opinion any even nearly as good as this one.The late Wong Shun Leung was without a doubt a Master of Wing Chun and gives a Masterful demonstration of theory and practice. I have studied Wing Chun since 1962 and they just don't get any better than this video.It is the one I reccomend to my beginners.

this is the best wing chun basics instructional video in history. very clear. good angles camera shoots. covers stances, steps, punchs, blocks, siu lim tao (first form) & aplications, chi sao and a short demostration of chum kiu, wooden dummy, butterfly knifes and lng pole. and the very best ting in this video is the master, wong shun leung, a martial arts legend. studen of yip man and teacher of bruce lee.
please believe me this is the best wing chun video.

This DVD is excellent! I've been doing Wing Chun for 12 years now and this was great to watch and pick up some basic pointers from someone so skilled...

I highly recomend this DVD to anyone who is in their first 5 years and even beyond. This only shows the first form, but the others are available (check the previews).

All in all a it more than I would normaly pay, but just to see Master Wong Sheung Leung (whom I belive was undefeated) is well worth the money!

I have other single and multi-tape sets on Wing Chun and similar topics, including the 8-volume Augustine Fong set, many of Danny Inosanto's instructional videos and seminars, Steve Grody's Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do set, and others, but this is probably the best single video you can buy on Wing Chun. I agree with Dr. Larry Sanders' comments here in that regard, who says he has 40 years of experience in the martial arts, as I do. This video provides an excellent introduction to the theory, principles, and practice of Wing Chun. The only kung-fu style to be invented by a woman, Wing Chun is a great close-in style, and even if your primary interest is in another percussion art, it makes a great complement to that training as well. I'm primarily a karate and northern Shaolin stylist myself in terms of my kung-fu background, but Wing Chun is a great style also and I enjoy it as well. I believe one should learn both a long-range and short-range punching and kicking art, or a such an art combined with a grappling style for a more complete martial artist. In that regard Wing Chun serves very well, in terms of its simplicity and no-nonsense approach to fighting. Appropros of its simplicity and elegance, it has few katas or forms, and only two weapons forms, a long staff and a double butterfly knife form, and the butterfly knife position never gets reversed, making it even simpler than the other southern styles that use these forms. Wing Chun of course was made famous by being Bruce Lee's style, but Bruce could have done any style and made it look good. But Wing Chun can be practiced by almost anybody, since there are no high or fancy kicks and most of the techniques are hand-oriented. Even their straight punch is simpler than karate, being done with the vertical fist without any rotation. Wing Chun is elegant in its simplicity and there is no better an intro to this important style than this tape.