Martial Arts Video Reviews  (web site no longer available)
January 22, 1999

Primary Grading Criteria:

Written Summary:

"The Indonesian Arts (Kun Tao, Pentjak Silat) are not the most widely practiced arts in the US.  However if all martial artists could watch this video from Paladin, taught by Bob Orlando, then I think many of you reading this review would begin to seek out instructors in the Indonesian arts.  In this video, we are shown examples of some of the basic concepts in these arts.  Mr. Orlando defines these concepts as adhesion, whiplash, gyroscopic rotation, shearing, and seating.  Like many of you, I was only vaguely familiar with these concepts until I watched.Bob@OrlandoKuntao.com Mr. Orlando does a good job of showing examples of these concepts from the more widely known martial arts such as kenpo, and then showing the same basic concept with the Indonesian modification.  Like the filipino arts, there is a great deal of flowing motion in the Indonesian arts and the section on using one's legs against an opponent's legs (Mr. Orlando calls these 'leg maneuvers') is worth the price of the video.  There is a lot of rapid-fire striking, takedowns, off balancing of the opponent, and finishing techniques shown on this video, but Mr. Orlando makes a point to emphasize the concept rather than the specific technique.  The mere unconventionality of these techniques makes them worth a look and should be considered as possible additions to any martial artist's repertoire of techniques.

This video is not a comprehensive course in Silat. No single video could ever be.  But it is an excellent introductory look at the Indonesian systems and there is material on here which you will probably not see in your local karate dojo.  This video is well made, well organized, and intended for martial artists of all skill levels.  Highly recommended, especially for those wanting to add something new to their personal street effective arsenals" [emphasis added].

CJ