How REAL Kenpo was used in "The Perfect Weapon" (with Jeff Speakman)

Which Kenpo kata & techniques are used in the Perfect Weapon? Today we have special guest Senior Master Jeff Speakman with us to talk about his experience of making the Perfect Weapon, the real Kenpo system that was portrayed in the film, and how Kenpo 5.0 was implemented and how different the movie would look if it were made today. The Perfect Weapon is the ultimate Kenpo film, so let's look at the REAL Kenpo in the movie.
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#kenpo
#kenpo5.0
#kenpokarate

[@BradYaeger]

I was a Kenpo green belt in my early twenties when it came out and me and my Kenpo buddies lost our MINDS watching it . We could recognize some of the techniques even. Plus it still holds up as a great 90's action movie .

[@patphilloccap]

The Perfect Weapon is one of my favorite martial arts movies of all time, wish Jeff Speakman made more movies then.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

He did! He made like 15 films or something. None reached the levels of the Perfect Weapon, but he made several.

[@kylerogerspowers2935]

I agree. It could have been a series. Like walker.

[@TheCrusher72]

The Perfect Weapon and Street Knight are vintage Speakman…

[@street282]

Yeah but Best of the Best tho

[@steviek1980]

One of mine too!!!

[@redeemingthetimeministries4820]

Great interview! I have a lot of respect for Mr. Speakman. Had the privilege of being in one of his seminars several years ago as well. He’s the real deal. 👍🏻

[@warlantactical]

The real deal he actually is known as the best of the best out there

[@averyflowers8819]

Yes, he is a great teacher and all around nice person! My husband and I also have had the honor to go to some of his seminars and his school.. Fun times ❤!

[@warlantactical]

@@averyflowers8819 teacher he is considered the best martial artist ever

[@averyflowers8819]

@@warlantactical Yes, he is one of the Greats in Kenpo! Sad that we have lost Soo many Great instructors in Kenpo. But I'm glad I had the Honor from learning from some of The Best! Like Mr. Kelly, White, Terjio, Labounty, Sepulveda Swan, Conaster, and more. Sorry if I misspelled some names. I have their name on my certificates, but it's cold n I'm under the blankets 😂. But it was some of the best times in my life ❣️. My mother in law had the Honor of meeting and learning from The Grand Master himself, Mr Parker ❣️ and my husband has an original patch of the flame. What a history ❣️

[@warlantactical]

@@averyflowers8819 he actually is considered the best fighter he is no joke !

[@ConcussedU]

I attended Mr. Speakman's Kenpo Camp in Las Vegas back in the 90's. He is an incredibly kind, patient man - who hits like a Mack truck. Thank you Mr. Speakman for your contributions to the Art.

[@assoverteakettle]

"Please, stay off my back, or I will attack, and you don't want that!". -- The Power by Snap! Still a great song to shadow box to, regardless of your style, due to the influence of Perfect Weapon.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

I have to admit it was hard to edit this video when talking about that scene because I found myself just sitting and listening to the music lol. One of the most iconic Martial Arts film themes.

[@HeylMarketing]

I had the good fortune to train at a small seminar with Mr. Speakman back in June. While as a beginner I did not get the moves, the atmosphere was fun, welcoming and it went for about 4 hours. Mr. Speak man is generous and completely authentic. I’d be honored to be his student

[@rapture2242]

Jeff Speakman is a legend. Respect!

[@taichi29]

That movie is one of my favorites, for it showed how Kempo is used, and it was the styles introduction to the public. Lord put Your hands of healing on Mr. Speakman. Amen🙏🏿.

[@tommartin1223]

Perfect weapon was a long kenpo commercial....I loved it!

[@keithwrightnh]

I'm 55 and "The Perfect Weapon" was definitely one of my favorite karate movies. I had just gotten into Kenpo about that time in Manchester, NH. I studied for a couple of years or so and made it to brown belt. Then stopped, got married, had a bunch of kids, etc.. and about 6 months ago I got back into the art and vowed this time to get my black belt. Very interesting to experience the art 25 years later, and 25 years older. Things just hurt so much more :) My joints are tender, I'm nowhere near as flexible, etc... Interesting to have flashbacks about my classmates 25 years ago and experiencing how I feel studying the art now compared to when I was much younger. I have always thought it would be great to get into acting and create a Perfect Weapon 2 :) I can watch that movie over and over.

[@rybald1973]

it's no so much your age and more to do with you stopping and that will come back, weight training would of kept your joints and tendons strong and I would recommend picking that up with your kempo just remember train like a athlete not a bodybuilder . I'm 50 and train and compete in strongman do Muay Thai 3 days a week( just for fun) and mountain biking on the weekend.

[@keithwrightnh]

@@rybald1973 Thanks for the tips! I actually started strength training two years ago. Even hired an online coach so I could be sure I was doing the big barbell lifts correctly. Been quite a struggle but have gotten stronger. The big thing I noticed about getting into strength training was just how bad my joints, tendons and muscles had gotten over the decades. I actually hadn't noticed it much until I started lifting. But I will say I have learned a TON about my body since having started strength training. And interesting that you mention to train like an athlete and not a bodybuilder - pretty much what I've been doing but also currently working at tweaking that so I become more athletic and move better. Thanks for your tips and great to see you being so active.

[@brichardsfourty]

I live in Phoenix, Arizona, I was his student. Sensei Tim Cucuzza. Was teaching me and Jeff Speakman comes to do seminars. In all his schools around the valley, he was teaching me and all the other students in Phoenix, Arizona, Arizona. I love going to school and Jeff Speakman’s. Kenpo Karate 5.0. Fighting System. Best school in the world and I’m so happy I am in his school. I am his student.

[@edwardchase1796]

As an ex instructor for Tracy's kenpo, I can say this whole movie is filled with kenpo and it is one of the greatest kenpo/ martial arts movie!!!

[@ninji5226]

Awesome interview and a great breakdown of one of my favorite movies from the man himself. The Perfect Weapon and Only the Strong, which highlights Capoeira, are 2 of the most unique martials arts movies out there and a blast to watch.

[@Anonymous-yh4ol]

And "BEST OF THE BEST" = GREAT TAEKWONDO MOVIE.

[@ninji5226]

@@Anonymous-yh4ol Absolutely, One of the main reasons I started TKD and eventually got my black belt. Though TKD is very film friendly so it does show up a lot. Why Phillip Rhee never played Liu Kang is a beyond a mystery, he had it all.

[@davidfausel9029]

My buddy and I saw The Perfect Weapon in the theater in March of 91 on release - we were in college and our minds were blown by the art we knew nothing of. We graduated and then maybe 8 years after that, I found a local studio and started four years of my journey into American Kenpo 🙂

[@DARTHBASTARD69]

I was lucky enough to meet Jeff many years ago, great down to earth man

[@averyflowers8819]

I had the honor of listening to Jeff Speakman in person, at a seminar. Telling us about making this movie! And of course learning from him! Great Times!

[@thebaneking4787]

The Perfect Weapon was what got me in Kenpo. My coach was under Ed. God bless him.

[@MattCantu76]

I loved those rolling knife hand strikes (shutos) fighting in the TKD gym. Best part

[@megamouthspike1930]

Sensei Dan, Master Joe Rebelo told me that GM Parker actually demonstrated the finger break technique that Jeff Speakman used in the gym fight scene in 'The Perfect Weapon'.

[@CaptZenPetabyte]

If my degenerative spinal disease wasnt kickin' my a$$ right now at 49yrs, Id probably have my Parker Kenpo Black by now ... the only regret in my life. Thank you for your videos and you evenhanded discussion of Kenpo on the Internet. And God Bless Jeff Speakman

[@Robd07]

Ive been doing MA for 25yrs now...and when i first started it was within Taekwondo. I Never got a blackbelt and dont care at all. Its just a piece of cloth

[@SuenosDeLaNoche]

I can relate to your spine conditions. Practice and teaching isn't as intense as in previous decades, but the distraction from pain is always a relief. On rougher days my practice is slow as in Tai Chi. The worst days are cerebral practice and meditation. A wise physician told me once upon a time that if I stop moving..... I'll stop moving permanently. Be well as possible Captain Zen✌🏻🙏

[@blockmasterscott]

I was 2nd dan when I saw that movie in the theater, and boy was I HAPPY to see some Kenpo! 👍💪

[@malichitabor4324]

I love the movie ❤ the perfect weapon one of my favorites I myself am a kenpo practitioner I hold a 7th degree black belt in kenpo and belts in hapkido and jujitsu been in martial arts 45yrs and still practice every day for me it's a way of life and will continue its awesome how the art of kenpo studies n mixes what techniques work its all about making yourself a better martial artist n what works for you n I've been a fan of Jeff Speakman for years I've been a student under frank w dux for a long time the important thing is we all continue to work together n stick together strength is in numbers all be blessed oss

[@williamsmith8790]

The fight in the gym with the legendary James Lew is one of the best on screen martial arts fights of all time.

[@gradyhernandez4699]

No..enter the dragon is !

[@danawilfong5267]

I was stationed on Oahu, when this movie came out. My Aunt and Uncle are Mick and Lori Holgate. Fun stuff. Good movie, Mr. Speakman. They speak highly of Mr. Parker and Mr. Mills. They speak highly of you, as well. As a wrester from high school and life itself, linear motion and magnetic energy, it's awesome.

[@manuellujan666]

Much respect I really like Jeff he's always been an inspiration

[@AlphaDean]

Loved this movie... Love Jeff Speakman... I never studied Kenpo, but I've studied this movie... Many years of training and this is movie is an inspiration.

[@claredin]

Jeff Speakman's Perfect Weapon has always been one of my favorite martial arts movies! Incredible action!

[@dragon0037]

His Kata at the beginning of the movie is AWESOME! Great interview thank you!

[@javidharoonpkm2443]

If your karate style has excluded grappling, joint manipulation/destruction techniques, throw/take downs, ground wrestling techniques etc then it is incomplete and ineffective for self-defense. Practice karate in a holistic way with full contact training. Osu Sensei Ed Parker was a visionary teacher who instilled the idea that karate should evolve to stay updated in this era.

[@Stamatos]

Why not do a new Perfect Weapon? I would love to see Speakman do for a kempo 5.0 students what Parker did for him. And I think there would be a built-in audience there for that.

[@evieraotacon]

Classic film. Much respect to Mr.Jeff Speak man✊👊👍

[@gregyates5347]

I can tell you this it’s a very hard movie to find on Amazon. I seen it when it first came out, and I got to tell you. Mr. Speakman has some of the fastest hands I’ve ever seen.

[@a7med-aldh45]

The perfect weapon movie was a masterpiece especially the hand techniques in the fight scenes

[@billheydt1468]

I just wanted to say jeff is still may favorite kendo artist the power was my all time favorite movie I was not aloud to study and learn but I was a judo player since 1978 I was 8 years old you inspired me and I can't thank you enough I tried kempo loved it but was told I was not trainable so I stuck with judo it has centered me in my whole life

[@kickboxerforever00]

One of my absolute favorite martial arts movies from my teen years,i was studying Budokan karate back then myself before moving onto Vale Tudo/JKD,man those were the best days of my life 🙏👊

[@germansotelo3444]

Saw this film and rated it as a little bit of life’s best moments because of this music called rap that got in my head as a motivation to keep up and never give up on anything started till completed. That is Mission accomplished since I was only 19 years old now 52 years old. Life’s greatest achievements and counseling or mentor too.That is all.

[@daverobertson5352]

What an awesome man.Thank Art Of One Dojo for all you do.These podcasts are awesome and your interviews with Jeff Speakman are incredible.So nice to know what went on behind the scenes.

[@exporter3062]

Great pleasure to see Mr Speakman again after a long break. He is one of our childhood hero and significant symbol of 90's in movie industry.

[@jeffreykeith6494]

Shout out to the late Bob Lyles. The teacher who introduced me to Kenpo at the YMCA in downtown Sacramento. As a cab driver, Kenpo saved my butt more than once. I wish Grandmaster Speakmen had done more movies.

[@marquisclay6985]

I thought u was like the white bruce lee in that movie. Lightning speed, super quick .I think Jeff speakers is so underrated. One of my favorite martial arts film. Very similar to bruce lee

[@jacobmcleod5885]

One of my favorite martial artist, I still got knots on my head from childhood trying to swing those sticks around like him 😂

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Right? If you liked this, tomorrow we're release Part 2 of the interview so I invite you back :)

[@ScottRock-mr6qk]

This is a bad ass movie, saw it years ago and loved then. Jeff Speakman was a kick ass guy

[@stuartschultz8823]

What an absolutely brilliant man

[@jonmacist]

Kempo has nice hand strikes, would be hard to block, coming from all angles like that, where boxing you know where they are coming from.

[@ThePatience404]

Loved this one as well. Looking forward to part 2. Can't ut my finger on it but something felt more sincere in this one than previous videos with master speakman

[@ArtofOneDojo]

I think it's because we're tapping into something on a personal level here, an experience that I think many of wish could only dream of having.

[@bills9530]

I met grandmaster speakman in San Diego a few years ago when we celebrated the 1 year passing of my sifu

[@MichaelDBauer]

This movie came out at a perfect time. I was in the middle of working toward my black belt in Kenpo - I started in 1989 and received my black belt November 1993. Once I reached my purple belt, I became an part time instructor until I eventually became a full time salaried instructor. I enjoyed seeing so many techniques I knew by name in the movie. The style of Kenpo I learned was called Black Rose Kenpo which I understand is a combination of Chinese and American Kenpo.

[@Herowebcomics]

Man! This movie looks amazing! And so does this master!😎

[@NMIBUBBLE]

I really wished they had wider shots of the fighting scenes, showing more of the fighters feet movements and upper bodies, I think Ed Parker and Jeff Speakman were ahead of the ball curve making this movie come to life. This is what really got me interested in doing more research in karate and Kenpo the Bunkai that comes from the forms/kata's. 50 plus yrs now and still being amazing as to what i find out every day. till this day i love that form in The Perfect Weapon!

[@willnichols6246]

This movie is what made me a student of old school Kenpo. Sadly, Kenpo has evolved and no one lives near who teaches it anymore.

[@vinnyvincent2862]

This Movie was a game changer ! Respect to everyone involved ! R.I.P. Ed Parker/ Mako/ Professor Tanaka ! 😢❤🙏

[@paullittle6458]

Jeff Speakman,a Great Martial Artist 💯👊... From the Schenectady (Greater Capital District Area In Upstate NY) where I live

[@10oneluv10]

The Perfect Weapon is my favorite martial arts movie. That movie was the reason why I chose Kenpo as my martial art to study.

[@user-qp1yc3zl8i]

I was expecting a video like this from you, as if you were reading my thoughts. You are distinguished by all the information you provide. Thank you for your wonderful efforts.

[@SecretsOfMartialArts]

Jeff Speakman is a very kind man and he is Kenpo Legend!

[@jamesreck8476]

I studied American Kenpo for three years and enjoyed it very much, still occasionally use what I learned.

[@1683clifton]

One of the last seminars I attended with Al Tracy, he showed us the connection to Kenpo jiujitsu. Locks takedowns and reversals. The secret stuff you weren't allowed to teach for insurance purposes. Says him. I believe in kenpo to be the full pie. Thank you Master Speakman.

[@cdsnow-dr1gk]

All great respect an honor for great legends. Jeff speakman and Ed Parker!! Remarkable skills !!

[@darrenvass3655]

That movie made me fell in love with Kenpo. Mind you it was Tracy's Chinese Kenpo and still love it till this day

[@mikestanmore2614]

Mr Speakman is a gentleman and wonderful ambassador for martial arts. I saw The Perfect Weapon when it was released, and it remains one of my favourite martial art films. I wish him well in his current battle.

[@danrob3789]

Awesome interview! Im hige fan and its great to see Mr. Speakman talk about one of my favorite movies.

[@CampingGuy]

Jeff Speakman really kick some butts in the movie. I believe he's a great instructor 👍

[@vonsydow5196]

I'd be dead 5 times over if it wasn't for Kenpos mass attacks techniques

[@jorgefernandez6407]

I remember seeing the movie and recognizing "the five swords" right away!!! It was the coolest fight scene I had ever seen, still!!! I was taught the five swords when I was a purple belt from my friend. I was not supposed to have been taught it, cause I hadn't reach the rank to know it yet so you can imagine when I actually saw it in a "movie", I was in awe!!! Subscribed!!!

[@yaaqoubeliyyahu5783]

Jeff Speakman = Gentleman & Class! 👍

[@raymondpinsky1103]

I missed the chance to meet Jeff when I was a student @ the Bronx Kenpo Academy.

[@VikingMale]

What got me into the martial arts was Kung Fu in the 70’s. I would sit in my dads lap and watch that show. Later when I left home I found a school…

[@adamkane7513]

When you can snatch the pebble from my hand, you will be ready to leave the temple.

[@bajuszpal172]

American Kenpo established by Master Ed Parker, (R.I.P.) couldn´t have found a better protagonist of this style. What I appreciate is fluidity in transitiong from Karate -like fighting to JUDO, Aikido or even grappling to keep going on. Congratulations and may you and your style live long. Paul,68, retired instructor of Gojuu-ryu Karate.

[@cyrusblackwood33]

That gym fight scene is one of the best martial arts fights on film. Boss movie.

[@BillyBob-jb3yy]

Best motivation video at beginning

[@nedaCFilms]

Love the evolution of Jeff and Kenpo ❤

[@falcon048]

That's one of those things about Kenpo is that it's a living, breathing art and it grows and changes overtime. My introduction to Kenpo was from a pair of fresh black belts who wanted to fashion their own version of Kenpo. Back in the mid-80s that seemed to be all the rage. As a result I never got to learn all the named-katas. As far as we got was forms 1 and 2 and the finger kata. Everything else was just pure human destruction. That seemed to be the ultimate goal of these two Senseis.

[@brianneeley9455]

Jeff is always a class act. Going to watch again tonight.👍

[@Markbell73]

Saw The Perfect Weapon in the theater on opening night. I was not displeased.

[@billc.4584]

"The Perfect Weapon" is one of my guilty pleasures. :) The story was hackneyed; the acting largely wooden; the direction weak but Speakman made the film. I am curious though, as a "karateka" I, and my discipline at large, are unrepentant thieves. We incorporate what works without much ceremony. It'll get pressure tested over time to see if its worth developing and dropped if it is not functional. My question being: is Kenpo similar? You guys seem to have developed complex and very strict patterns of movement/technique. Do you cultivate the concept of "winging it"? Thanks. Peace.

[@rw8147]

This movie and Jeff's performance was certainly why I chose kenpo (because I suck at typing, thanks alfredo for the correction)

[@alfredodelacruz1864]

It's Kenpo not Kempo

[@rw8147]

@@alfredodelacruz1864 Simmer down, Francis. It's a typo. But it's also a romanization thing. While kenpo is broadly considered correct, there's no meaningful difference when translating hiragana to english. Even better, there's translation error between chinese and japanese informing it as well. The whole thing is screwy. It's like translating russian to english or hebrew to english or any language that does not use phoenician characters - the actual spelling is a guess.

[@jonathanharris8566]

This is one of the greatest Martial Movies not to mention terribly underrated, don't understand how Jeff Speakman didn't blow up off this movie smh. If you've never seen this movie go and watch it

[@Observer-kw7vu]

Great interview ...

[@jorgefernandez6407]

Excellent interview!!!

[@errolthomas9426]

Hey Dan. Thanks for this conversational interview with Jeff Speakman. Next I'd like to see you do one with Kajukenbo practitioner Angelo Ferrer of Socialgelo including one with Wun Hop Kuen Do founder Al Dacascos and also his son Mark. Osu 🥋👊🏼🐉🐅

[@alfredodelacruz1864]

Scott Adkins did one with Mark on his KZbin channel

[@jezza24]

I love being a student in mr speakmans art its amazing 🙂

[@oogbigworm]

Still one my favorite martial art movies of all time

[@jaxson1948]

Jeff is the greatest! His are my favorite Martial Arts movies!

[@trainingvideotwo1262]

I love this channel. I was worried for a minute that you were stopping.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

No not stopping, my schedule has been in major turmoil recently and we're been doing a lot of analysis of the channel to figure out where we're taking it next. We're trying to improve the content we're putting out and not just pushing out videos for the sake of doing so :)

[@jeffrichards1537]

I had a buddy who was a black belt in Kempo. He was crazy powerful with his kicks. Plus he was legally blind.

[@angelofverdun456]

Did one lead to the other 🤨?

[@tjcarr8097]

Awesome interview!

[@jeffgardner2093]

My favorite martial arts movie!

[@lamboman2]

Happy birthday Jeff!

[@pochalbiso2937]

Jeff was awesome!! Definitely influenced my martial arts journey

[@Win7ermu7e]

Oh man this is making me feel old.

[@lawrence4784]

I had the honor working with him in a movie called Night Terror...

[@joelscheinzeit1848]

I trained with Craig NG the thin Chinese guy with the long ponytail in the beginning of this movie in the early nineties after recognizing him at the Marina Athletic Club after watching this movie, so cool

[@Kofka19]

Jeff Speakman is an outstanding master and a wonderful person! I would like to convey greetings to you from your students from Russia. Thank you master!

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Check out part 2 that's coming out tomorrow! :)

[@eliotquintana9802]

I like jeff speakman techniques kenpo fighting

[@JaSoN_1976]

Best name for a movie EVER....

[@MrJamesD]

This is so cool @10:44 guilty as charged

[@ericte2400]

Would lik to see you interview Grandmaster Larry Tatum, who trained Speakman and.was Parker's main student.

[@darrenkennedy5990]

What I remember most of this movie is the line “every strike a block, every block a strike”

[@brockmiller574]

Kenpo gets slept on by a lot of people, and thats unfortunate because the thought process is enriching. I respect his commitment to evolution alongside his deep reverence for Mr Parker.

[@dwayneglover914]

Thank u 4 another great show 😃😄 enuff said.