Movie | Put Up Your Dux | PASS

For a lot of the martial arts world, the movie Bloodsport was and continues to be a touchstone. Years after it came out (and made Jean-Claude Van Damme a household name), word started circulating that the man behind the film, a martial artist named Frank Dux, was not being entirely forthcoming in the truth behind his stories. This was mainly due to an inflammatory article in the LA Times.

Non-martial artists will find this an interesting picture, too. Did this man's ego run amok and create all of the problems he experiences to this very day? If so, at what point is he forgiven his relatively minor infractions? Also, does hearsay equal gospel? Just because somebody says something about someone that can't be proven one way or another by the accused party, does that make it right and truthful? Is it fair to completely dismiss a person and their life because their self-importance might have gotten away from them? That's a really tricky maze to navigate...

Though there is no mention of it, the size of the muscles on Dux and Van Damme a number of years ago makes me wonder if steroids weren't involved. At that time period, they certainly were at their heyday (the 'roids). This might have been a factor in personality and business dealings...but I have no proof of any such use. Still...

As usual, the truth is stranger than fiction and this documentary about Dux (who some say is the true grandfather of MMA) won't necessarily answer any questions. Is there a witch hunt against the man or is everything he's put forth the absolute truth? We'll probably never know. But, it's a fascinating watch and a must see!