Forgotten Martial Arts Movies (2025) is a curated compilation-style action documentary that celebrates rare and seldom-seen fight sequences from global martial arts cinema, blending archival footage with narrated context and restoration-minded curation. Directed by Migdalia Etheridge and Ray Etheridge, and narrated/written by Ray Etheridge, this English-language compilation premiered in the United States on January 30, 2025. 0
Movie Overview
Forgotten Martial Arts Movies is not a conventional narrative feature — it is a curated anthology that stitches together over thirty fight scenes and excerpts from obscure or overlooked martial arts pictures, many of which are out of circulation or available only in low-quality prints. The project operates as both a celebration and a preservation effort: viewers get high-energy fight choreography, rare camera angles, and glimpses of fighters and stunt performers whose work shaped the aesthetics of action cinema but never received mainstream recognition. The compilation frames those scenes with voiceover narration and editing choices that highlight historical context, choreography techniques, and the cultural lines that connected regional cinemas across decades. 1
Because the film relies heavily on archival and clip-based material, its strengths are editorial—how scenes are selected, ordered, and contextualized—rather than dramatic performances or original scripting. That said, the presence of iconic archival figures (from Bruce Lee to Jackie Chan in short archival appearances) gives the compilation both star-power and an educational throughline for viewers tracing the development of stunt work, weapon choreography, and on-screen fighting language. 2
Attribute Details
Movie Overview[]
Attribute Details[]
| Title | Forgotten Martial Arts Movies |
|---|---|
| Genre | Action / Documentary / Compilation |
| Language | Primary: English (narration) — includes archival footage in Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese, and other languages |
| Release Date | January 30, 2025 (United States premiere / release window) |
| Director | Migdalia Etheridge & Ray Etheridge |
| Writer | Ray Etheridge (narration / editorial writer) |
| Runtime | 81 minutes |
The above production and release details are compiled from film credits and distributor listings; the IMDb/IMDbPro listing and streaming metadata confirm the dual director credit, writer/narrator role for Ray Etheridge, and the January 30, 2025 U.S. release date. 3
What the Film Contains (Synopsis & Structure)
The film’s editorial premise is simple and effective: assemble a catalogue of standout fight sequences drawn from films that, for one reason or another, slipped out of the mainstream circulation. The sequences are presented almost like a greatest-hits reel, but intercut with voiceover notes that explain why each fight matters (choreography innovations, use of environment, stunt techniques) and place the clips in a broader historical timeline of martial cinema. The arrangement usually alternates between short contextual segments and longer uninterrupted fights so that fans have both analysis and uninterrupted spectacle.
Creatively, the directors prioritize kinetic staging — long takes and practical stunt work are showcased whenever possible — and the editing emphasizes contrast: a 1970s Hong Kong knife duel may sit next to an underseen 1980s Filipino action set-piece, allowing viewers to compare rhythm, camera positioning, and the artistic risk-taking that characterized regional filmmaking practices. The result is equal parts film-archaeology and fan-friendly highlight reel. 4
Archival Cast & Notable Appearances
Because Forgotten Martial Arts Movies is a compilation, much of the “cast” credit comes from archival footage and clip rights. Names that appear in the credits as archival footage include well-known and lesser-known figures: Jackie Chan (archive footage), Bruce Lee (archive footage), Bruce Baron, Michael Wai-Man Chan, Shek Hon, Chin Hu, Leon Isaac Kennedy, and many stunt performers and actors whose full careers were regional or cult. Ray Etheridge also appears as the project’s narrator, connecting the clips with explanatory narration. 5
The presence of archival legends is used sparingly — not as mere nostalgia bait but to anchor the anthology’s thesis: that the evolution of modern on-screen fighting was a global, collaborative achievement involving many unseen hands. The film credits list dozens of archive sources and demonstrates the careful licensing and crediting required to assemble such a project. 6
Production Notes & Distribution
Forgotten Martial Arts Movies credits both Migdalia and Ray Etheridge as directors; Ray Etheridge is additionally credited as narrator, editor, and writer for the compilation’s framing voice. The production style is low-to-mid budget for a rights-intensive compilation: money is spent on restoration, sound mixing, and legal clearances rather than on original sets or location shoots. The film has appeared on streaming platforms and catalogue services (some listings identify Amazon Video rental/purchase options and other digital distribution partners), which is typical for this type of archival compilation seeking both enthusiasts and casual viewers. 7
The runtime (81 minutes) keeps the film brisk and watchable for a wide audience — long enough to showcase a variety of styles and eras, short enough to function as a single-session primer for newcomers. The editorial choice to keep sequences predominantly uncut preserves the immediacy of the fights while the narration fills historical gaps. 8
Who Should Watch This Film?
This compilation will most appeal to martial arts aficionados, film archivists, stunt practitioners, fight-choreographers, and cinephiles who love the craft of physical filmmaking. It also works as a teaching tool: film studies classes and action-choreography workshops can use the curated sequences as case studies for editing rhythms, camera placement, and stunt safety evolution. Casual viewers who enjoy high-energy action will find it entertaining as a nonstop highlight reel of fights with a bit of expert commentary to guide them. 9
Critical & Audience Response
As a niche compilation, Forgotten Martial Arts Movies tends to generate interest primarily among specialty reviewers, martial-arts blogs, and archival-minded critics rather than broad mainstream press. Streaming platform pages and aggregate listings emphasize its usefulness as a showcase of rare material; user reactions commonly praise the discovery aspect and the restoration work while noting that the film is strongest when it allows long, unbroken fights to breathe. Because it is archival and clip-based, critical reception focuses on editorial judgment and sourcing quality rather than traditional narrative metrics. 10
Where to Watch
Listings in aggregator services and streaming catalogs have shown the film available for digital rental/purchase and on some ad-supported platforms. Availability can change quickly for compilation titles due to rights windows — checking major digital platforms (Amazon Video, Plex listings, or the film’s distributor pages) is the best way to confirm current availability. 11 View full credits & details on IMDb
Article compiled from public film credits and catalogue listings: IMDb / IMDbPro, Rotten Tomatoes, and digital platform metadata. For the most current availability and screening information, consult the film’s official distributor or streaming partners. 12
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