Location: /Fencing DVDs/Epee/2005 DVD // FRA GRAN PRIX MEN'S EPEE

Product Information

Challenge Monal, Grand Prix World Cup, Paris France
Reviewed Aug 5, 2005
Sad to say, fencing is frequently more fun to do than to watch. Even more so than ballet and sumo wrestling, fencing is an acquired taste, and since fencers are spread so thinly the taste is very hard to acquire indeed. Not only do most people know nothing about the sport, most of the common knowledge is actually fictional: chandelier-swinging, prissiness, feath-ered hats.
Is it possible to convey the real fencing, with all the intensity, sweat and excitement? Is it possible for fencing to surpass the gripping drama and television-friendliness of a sport like, say, golf? This seems to be the Big Question of the new millenium for the upper echelons of the fencing world. Fencing doesn't have an image problem -- it barely has an image at all.
Enter Fencing Pictures. By this time, Fencing Pictures had a solid reputation for making high-quality DVDs. However, the Epee Monal Grand Prix DVD is such a tremendous leap forward, it categorically bridges the gap between labor of love, and professional product. And then it blows up the bridge.
The Monal Grand Prix is already a high-glam event in the fencing world, so it's a little strange to see it "taken out of the basement" and polished up to look shiney. But that's what Fencing Pictures has done. If this is an indicator for what fencing is becoming, it is wildly exciting. This DVD is important not just for fencers, but for fencing in general.
The DVD
The usual questions for a fencing video include, "Can you see the fencers? Can you see the score?" These questions simply don't apply to this product. The fencing actions, the score, and the fencers themselves are as clear as a hospital operating room.
The fencing is carried along with clever visual transitions between scenes, slow-motion re-peats of exciting actions, and (possibly the most exciting development) multi-camera work, interposing long-shots and close-ups. The points and scoring lights are tracked with unob-trusive on-screen graphics.
The announcers, Guillermo Alger and Alex Ripa, are joined by a new voice, Jeff Mooney. They quickly set the scene as the fencers stride out into the stroboscopic spotlights before a vast Parisian audience. The commentary begins with the basics, explaining epee rules and scoring areas so that even the most inveterate non-fencer will understand. They shift easily between background topics for new- or non-fencers, and advanced topics like tactics and strategy for more sophisticated viewers.
INDIVIDUAL FINAL
The final bout is between Marcus Robatsch (Austria) and Jerome Jeannet (France), both members of strong fencing families. The camera-work is tremendous, positively theatrical, as during Jeannet's edge-lit close-up at the beginning of the individual bout. (In the bonus material, Fencing Pictures really flexes its muscle, showing Ukraine versus France's semi-final team match from two separate angles in split-screen.)
As the Epeeists begin, Robatsch is not quite as patient as Jeannet. Down 1-2, he fleches and finds that he still can't out-reach Jeannet's counter-attack. Jeannet comfortably works with his distance and considerable reach, while Robatsch relies more on on-blade actions -- the beat, the parry riposte. Coming into the second period, Jeannet starts unleashing his attack. Robatsch, pushed back to his end of the strip but still unwary, gets caught several times with clever tempo-attacks.
Robatsch's approach varies between fleche attacks and cautious waiting. Though he has trouble setting up his attacks against such an experienced opponent, he can sometimes draw Jeannet into a longer blade exchange and squeeze a point in.
Jeannet, meanwhile, has a very solid plan for this bout. He prosecutes a very tight game, using a tempo lunge, a low parry, or a fleeing counter with quiet efficiency, using each only they seem necessary, and benefitting from the numbers game. He steadily works his score upward, as Robatsch fights just a few points away.
The announcers keep up a steady discussion through the action. The discussion is very friendly to new or non-fencers (you must score with the tip, they're fencing on a strip), but includes a lot of history on the fencers, and discussions of their tactics.
TEAM FINAL
Germany versus France: Nine rounds of fencing between two old foes. In the 2004 Olym-pics, France elimiated Germany 45-44 in the semi-finals. Now, Germany is very interested in revenge, and their first fencer, Fiedler, quickly racks up 4 touches on France's Fabrice Jeannet.
Thus begins a point lead which is only brought even in the third match, by France's Gru-mier. But the come-back is not decisive, Germany ends the bout ahead, and keeps a slim lead through the rest of France's fencers. Strategy is the watchword for the team match, as neither side flares out with a desperate run for points. Despite a high-scoring bout between Strigel and Jeannet, by the sixth round the score is only 17-16 with Germany in the lead. By then, the fencing is pretty much "open," with both sides able to score as many points as they can, with only a distant upper limit to the score.
As the number of remaining rounds decreases, the score begins to see-saw more wildly. Grumier brings the French into the lead, but in the very next bout Strigel (interviewed in the bonus material) brings the Germans back three very decisive attacks, including at least two deadly, incredibly tight feint-6 disengages that catch his opponent, Janvier, flat-footed.
Throughout the match, France fences reactively, waiting to counter the German attacks or pick up a point when Germany shows an error. But action for action, Germany is able to en-gineer better outcomes. The next time France closes the score, they turn strategic, only moving the score by one point in the penultimate round.
Though Germany dominated the earlier rounds, the tension is palpable as the teams enter the final bout. Germany's Schmid gets the unenviable task of facing down an intense Fab-rice Jeannet with only a slim one-point lead. Soon the score is in flux again, and Germany has to scramble against France's rally. The final minutes of the match are marked by cheers, fleches, and screams of frustration as one side nearly implodes under an epic flood of touches.

by Walter Flaschka

BONUS MATERIAL
The Epee Monal DVD is heavily loaded with bonus material.
•    Robatsch (AUT) vs Boisse (FRA) semifinal bout. This semi-final doesn't have commen-tary, but the action is clear nonetheless. Robatsch fights his way through France's Eric Boisse (4th place at the 2004 Olympics). Very occasionally, the camera misses some ac-tion.
•    Ukraine vs. France semifinal team bout. This bout picks up with Ukraine leading 22-21 (time runs out at 29). This is shot from floor level, with two roaming cameras showing two views in split screen. You can watch Fabrice Jeannet chase down his opponents from two angles.
•    Interviews with German Team members (in English). Daniel Strigel and Sven Schmid discuss their training and fencing. Interesting tidbit: The German team is actually a mili-tary fencing unit, which lets them concentrate on training full time.
•    Interview with Jerome Jeannet (in French), post-final, strip-side interview
•    The individual medal ceremony

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