Ultimate Fighting Championship Classics Collection, Volumes 1-4 (Lionsgate DVD)

 

Picture: C     Sound: C+     Extras: C+     Main Programs: B-

 

 

A few years ago, we looked at a DVD of extreme fighting from the #1 franchise in the business, the Ultimate Fighting Championship.  You can read about it at this link:

 

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/2967/Ultimate+Fighting+Championship

 

 

With the WWF becoming the WWE in turmoil and trying to expand unsuccessfully into football before a fatal turn so far in feature films, many wondered and speculated if an increasingly crass and accepting-of-violence society might make this the next big sport.  Its popularity continues, but maybe there is a limit to what people can handle en masse after all.  Lionsgate has just issued The Ultimate Fighting Championship Classics Collection, showing the beginnings of the still popular hardcore sport.  This box contains the first four volumes of a very long series that continues as you read this.

 

As brutal then as now, it is amazing to see how long this has been in swing when you see this fuzzy, old analog NTSC video of the first shows.  The 1.33 x 1 image is about as good as you can expect for its age, which also applies to the barely stereo Dolby Digital 2.0 sound.  I was impressed with how aggressive the shooting ands editing was to give the feel of a real competitive match, something sorely lacking in most sports broadcasts these days.  It reminded me of the glory days of early wrestling with the likes of Bruno Sammartino and when we look back, may just be so for this sport.  Hopefully, they’ll never compromise, even if it never becomes as big as similar sports and exhibition.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo