Kali, Eskrima, and Arnis are all synonymous terms for a subset of weapon-based and unarmed traditional Filipino martial arts and their associated combat sport. Besides striking and grappling, a wide array of weapons are used. The most iconic of these is the Baston, or “Kali stick”, made of the dense yet light vine stem called “rattan”. Other weapons include knives and daggers like the famous Balisong, or butterfly knife, the Karambit, the machete-like Bolo, swords such as the Kris, and even improvised tools like screwdrivers, belts, and car keys. This martial art is especially popular among western action films like the Bourne series where the titular character grabs whatever is available in his environment like pens, books, and even hankerchiefs to take out his assailants. Favored for its lightning fast, brutal, and effective techniques, it has been heavily incorporated into the fight choreography of countless Hollywood movies. Notable practitioners are Dan Inosanto, student, colleague, and close friend of Bruce Lee and now the world’s leading expert on Jeet Kune Do, as well as famous American fight choreographer Jeff Imada. I’m no expert on Filipino Kali but a fan of awesome fight choreography so I decided to delve a bit deeper and research some films/television series that feature it. So here’s a compilation of some Filipino Kali/Eskrima/Arnis fight scenes.

Here are links to short/independent films/previews featured in this video:
Death Grip:

Alvin Hsing Vs. Bryan Sloyer:

Bahad (Threat):

Alex Hashioka Vs. Bryan Sloyer:

Bryan Sloyer Vs. Micah Karns:

Formless:

List of movies/television series featured in order of appearance:
1. The Bourne Identity
2. I, Frankenstein
3. Death Grip
4. The Bourne Supremacy
5. Batman vs. Robin
6. Alvin Hsing Vs. Bryan Sloyer
7. The Bourne Ultimatum
8. Batman: Bad Blood
9. Bahad (Threat)
10. Taken
11. Young Justice
13. Alex Hashioka Vs. Bryan Sloyer
14. Taken 2
15. Daredevil (TV Series)
16. Bryan Sloyer Vs. Micah Karns
17. Repo Men
18. Formless
19. Blade 2
20. The Equalizer
21. Kiss of the Dragon
22. Spy
23. Furious 7
24. The Man From Nowhere
25. The Wrong Side of Town
26. The Book of Eli
27. Quantum of Solace
28. Enter the Dragon
29. Game of Death
30. The Hunted
31. Ninja Assassin
32. A Grand Arte
33. Sherlock Holmes
34. Hanna
35. 300
36. The Perfect Weapon
37. Arrow
38. Best of the Best 4: Without Warning
39. Under Siege
40. The Chronicles of Riddick
41. Mission of Justice
42. Rambo 3
43. Out for Justice
44. Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever

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34 COMMENTS

  1. Here are links to short/independent films/previews featured in this video:
    Death Grip:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuWMnZugFzU
    Alvin Hsing Vs. Bryan Sloyer:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYZXWE3hBXc
    Bahad (Threat):
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hj4IoJGMBgo
    Alex Hashioka Vs. Bryan Sloyer:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l4k4QPo-7s&t=1s
    Bryan Sloyer Vs. Micah Karns:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7BL7vBpDUk
    Formless:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruZG_5C6o6o

  2. Sa mga nagrereklamong di ginagamit sa filipino movies ang martial arts na ito. Imagine niyo na lang si gerald anderson sa ganitong scene, mukhang kapani paniwala ba? Hindi, at lalongnhindi sa lahat ng artista dito sa Pilipinas. Kaya puro foreign movie lang pinapanood ko. Karamihan pa ng pelikula sa pilipinas, kopya lang din sa ibang foreign movie. Isa lang din kalimitan ang storya, paburito nila yung love triangle. Hahahaha lahat yata g pelikula me love triangle. 9.9/10

  3. Dapat lng sana na ibalik uli yung filipino martial arts movie para ma inspired ang mga kabataan ngayon. Halos lahat ng kabataan ngayon ay puro love team, love story, drama, etc. ang napapanood nila instead martial arts, core values, etc.

  4. Filipino movie producers don't want to make action movies because they want to be sure they will earn money so they produce only love drama movies and comedies. Gone are the days of Fernando Poe Jr. and other Filipino action heroes. But I hope someday some local producers will revive the action genre and upgrade it too and of hopefully they feature our native martial arts.

  5. Philippine martial arts need more exposure in today's Philippine cinema.I can't belive they don't make any action movies relevant to this kind of martial art and,instead,just making cringe-worthy dialogue between the protagonist and villain before the crappy,unrealistic fight scene begins.

  6. The Great thing about Kali you start with weapons, same movements(knife,bolo,tomahawak etc.) even the empty hands are the same, its efficient and you dont need to train years for the art it only takes weeks or days…

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