ROLL: Jiu-Jitsu in SoCal

So happy everyone enjoyed the film. It was a pleasure making it with Eatfilms, and with all the legends we got chance to interview. It's nice to showcase the guys that are were there at the start and hear their amazing stories.

I’m turning 45 in 2 weeks. I’m also taking my first ever BJJ class next week. 🙏🏽

"It's not who's good, it's who's left" such an inspiring opening, makes me want to get back on the mats asap. Chris Haueter is the man.

I started training BJJ in 2001, 19 years later, the passion still there.
When you get hooked with BJJ you just don't do it as a hobby. BJJ becomes your life, once you understand what BJJ is all about you will understand that anything is possible, on and off the mats.

I love the BJJ community. You can go to any school and instantly be accepted and welcomed wholeheartedly. It's a great art, practiced by great people.

It's never too late to get into BJJ. I train with belts of all colors and all ages. The best part of BJJ for me is witnessing the personal growth that new people experience.

I've been training for the better part of ten years and lost some love for jiu jitsu cause life got in the way and since watching this I have honestly had more fun and been happier than I have in a while on and off the mat. I really miss training with guys like the ones in the video above. Its not all about the skill but about the bond and connection with others and the ability to adapt and change and overcome. Thank you guys.

This is a beautiful documentary. Fascinating, heartfelt, and inspiring. I am new to BJJ, I just started training a few months ago. After signing up my kids (5 and 7) my husband started training and eventually I caught the bug. It's the best thing that has ever happened to my family. I just turned 40, I have no former experience in any sort of anything, but BJJ has already changed my life and I can't imagine ever stopping.

I was so fortunate to have some of the early Gracie Coaches bring me up in Jiu-Jitsu. Lowel and Richard from the original Gracie Torrance Academy were a huge influence over my initial jiu-jitsu career. I was one of the guys in the second waive, post UFC, and started in 1995. I haven't always been committed, I haven't always been consistent, but I'm still standing 25 years later. Heading to class now in fact! Looking forward to the next 25 years.

It's such an inspiring documentary. I practiced when I was younger but I never forgot the great feeling and confidence JJ gave me for life in general. Now, I'm 36 and I am back on the mat. Only now I'll keep it up no matter what goes on relating to job and study.

This comment section alone speaks volumes for how ju jitsu attracts great people. You guys all rock. Seriously best comment section I've ever seen on UAclips. Lol

I first watched this documentary when I was living on the East Coast, and it was part and parcel of turning me on to BJJ. A year and a half ago, I accepted a job here in LA (El Segundo, to be precise), and I now have the privilege of training Gracie Jiu Jitsu at Gracie University in Torrance, CA. Thanks, guys!

Great documentary, and very inspiring, for ANY martial artist. I`ve been training ITF Taekwondo for 5 years now, which has become an essential part of my life, and you guys perfectly captured the passion, the friendships and the love that can be built around martial arts training. You guys are extremely talented, keep up the good work!

Loved this🤙🏼 I’m only four months into jiujitsu.
Guess you could say I’m still in survival mode as a white belt. This is by far the hardest thing I have ever done in my life but for some reason I cannot give it up. I ever knew how bad I needed this in my life until I started doing it. I love jiujitsu And it will always be a part of my life from here on out

I'm a long-time martial artist and everything I heard and saw in this video is absolutely true about Jiu Jitsu. It has made a huge difference in my life.

It was because of this film that I started training in BJJ 3 months ago after a lumbar injury took me out of Muay Thai. To this day, if I am frustrated with my "snail brain" (not remembering techniques), I watch this film and the following film "Jiu Jitsu vs. The World" (also from Eat Films), and get super- hyped to get on my Gi and belt and hit those mats. I look forward to training, getting tapped out by my partners- they are like big brothers, if they realize that or not, I don't care. That is how I see them all. I have such a huge appreciation for the lifestyle... So in love with this art. They say the opposite of addiction is connection. Jiu jitsu proves that they can come hand in hand.

This is an amazing tribute to the art, excellent work here.

3 years later and I still come back to watch this documentary! OSS! 🤙🏾

Wow Dan, I've sat through every minute of this and I'm just in awe of how good a documentary you have put together, it's been long time since I've seen something this good. I've watched stuart coopers stuff which always leaves me inspired,this has more than achieved that for me. It's been worth the wait and can't wait for your next collaboration. I would love to see you release this on vimeo so I can download a copy as I had to wait until I got an Internet connection would love to have copy of this to watch off line, I'd contribute to download fee, bit like i have for stuart marcelo documentary.

"There are two types of brotherhood. By blood and by sweat" I like that quote.

Finally a long high quality BJJ documentary. Please bring on more! This was so great!

Whenever I feel down about my game, or my motivation to train is in the dumps, I'll watch from 1:10:04 onward. Never fails to get my head back in it.

holy shit. I've been training for two months and watching made me look forward the next 30+ years I have left. Respect to all those who have made this path available to the rest of us

I’m still trying to find the proper words to describe how good this documentary was

Back in 1993 the Gracie family would always come to the store I was working at in Hawaii to shop and every time they saw me they would tell me to come and train. I never did not sure :(. I've always loved the beautiful art and seen the growth through the years. Great docu and it reinforces that I made the right decision. Now in 2015 I finally started training its only been a few days and its so addicting. My journey has just begun and hopefully I will be able to reach black belt status. Aloha!

This is beautiful and shows the history of bjj in America. Hopefully you will do more of these type of movies that show the seeds of bjj in diffrent states. How the So Cal pushed it global to Texas, all the way to Florida.

this film was one of the main motivating factors in getting my back on the mats after 7 years off(i done Kung Fu, Karate and Japanese Jujitsu in the past) really loving Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since i started.
Cant wait for the next video, pre ordered Jiu-Jitsu VS The World.
I just missed a seminar at my club with Chris Haueter at my club which im quite devastated about, seems really cool guy and has good stuff to say

Coming off a year and a half hiatus, started training again this past week and watching this video again has reinvigorated my desire to continue my journey in bjj.

Every morning I watch and listen to the intro of this video (1:20-2:30). Puts me in a very good mood for the day! Awesome job on the documentary. Already donated for the new BJJ film, I have faith that you can do it. Keep up the good work! Greetings from Germany

I can honestly say Jiujitsu is something I've always loved. Wish I could make a living doing it but I'll be happy enough to have a career that pays for me to train every day.

This was amazing, it took me over a year to sit down and watch the entire film but that’s life. I feel everything this film expresses and after focusing alittle over 5 years to the sport I feel it more everyday. It has made me a better human being and exposed me to great people and friends! Great watch, thank you for making it, with respect from the Midwest!

That busker is awesome. Great guitar, and great singing. No one else has mentioned that so I thought I'd show my appreciation for that talented individual.

I´ve seen this like three times now, really well done, inspiring! Love you Jiu Jitsu!

Arguably one of the best jiu jitsu documentaries out there....insightful...humbling...just plain old awesome!!! Great post!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!!!

Great video. As a former kick boxer of nearly 20 years I always laughed at the "Jiu-Jitsu guys" because of ego and arrogance. I've been training in BJJ now for 6 months and I wish I had started 20 years ago. Take it from me who's fought killers in the ring... Jiu-Jitsu is the most effective and dangerous art form to have. Sure I can still to this day knock a man out standing but what if I was taken down? Game over. Great film!

Such a blessing to be born into a family like yours!! I completely enjoyed watching the story of a true legend!

Thank you so much for this after watching this I've decided on starting jiu-jitsu once I gather the funds...I may have no clue whatsoever what rolling or 50/50 is but after watching this i'm quite confident it's not something i want to miss out on:)

Superb. I'm new to BJJ and still deeply appreciated this!

Incrível! Um dos melhores documentários a respeito do JJ que eu já vi. Parabéns!!

Absolutely can not wait to start my life long journey of Jiu-Jitsu next week

Love getting my little dose of ROLL in every now and then. Love your work guys. Gotta love BJJ. It's the truth!!

That was simply fantastic. Great mood, great filming, great editing, great message. Well done! Thank you for this.

I watch at least 3 times a week. when I can't train because of life or injuries this is my way to keep from going crazy. Absolutely keeps me motivated. thank you guys for such a great film

Thanks guys for this awesome documentary. it was a plus having my school in there is well. ATOS San Diego HQ. This is definitely a must watch for people that like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. the history of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Southern California. I will share recommended for everyone I know.

I love watching how BJJ has grown all over and it has a lot to do with it being so well received in the US. Bless 'Murica.

What a nice documentary guys! The spread of this art is taking over everywhere!

Incredible film, great job. I've always wondered about the people the first trained under the guys that brought jiu jitsu and getting to learn about how it happened in the beginning is just awesome. Hopefully I can start filming these top of jiu jitsu docs someday soon, too!

That was pretty incredible. Your film summed up every thought I have ever had about Jiu Jitsu.

Such a well done and captivating documentary! I completely understand what Chris Haueter means. I've never felt more present and in the moment like when I'm in the middle of a roll. Thank you so much for this.

This is an amazing video. These guys were in at the ground floor. What amazing stories they must have.

This is an excellent documentary on BJJ in Cali. Thank you so much! 🙏🏽👊🏽

Great video! I was lucky to start back in 1994 although I got out of it for many years, just getting back into it approx 4 years ago. Great stuff! Historical videos like this are hard to come by.

I literally welled up w tears and chills thru my body by the end of this!!! One of the best documentaries I've seen on jiujitsu or any other subject!!!! This doc shows the birth and growth of jiujitsu in America!!! Bravo!!! #oss

Great Job! Reminds me to feel fortunate to live here in SD and to have met and trained with so many great people.

Excellent! Jiujitsu in our blood, for the rest of our lives brothers and sisters. No more hiatuses--just rolling.

I trained with Royce in Torrance in the 1990's; this is an extremely well executed historical video and gives one a "sense" of those times. I haven't even finished watching it all yet. The poignant part is that time passes.

I have no words do describe what I've just seen. Its awesome. Thank you guys for this great documentary. Wish I can visit Cali and train with the high level competitors. From Russia with love!

This is an excellent film. I can't wait to roll again, Monday can't come fast enough.

One of the best Jits films I've ever seen. Thank you guys so much for posting this! I've been so pumped to see this since I saw the trailer and it definitely blew away my expectations. Thank you! Oss!

Great history lesson about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with rare footage. I have really enjoyed it. Nice job!

A really great video - by weird chance, I met Relson Gracie in Hawaii and took lessons with him in 1982. Then I started going to where Rorian and Royce taught in L,A, on Carson St. and was at UFC1! Then I got neck cranked by some huge wrestler and hurt my neck. I was only a white belt then but was lucky to see it all happen.

Awesome. I got my purple belt from Saulo and Xande's first school in Ohio before moving to the east coast. Tough training indeed. They did such a great job planting a seed of jiu jitsu in the midwest that is still thriving today.

"You just can't quit." Fucking pumps me up every time.

A+, Dan Lewis! Just about as good as a BJJ documentary can get.

Thank you for this. Now a part two would be brilliant.

I love the way they said: we should bring people in bjj & not out, evolve together, instead having constant Competition in your heart. Beautiful, competition is for you and not because you want to break somebody in the name of a label... Jiujitsu is love, im so happy i got chance to find this sport in my life. We all connect even in tournaments, all this sleepless hours going to that place and waiting for your moment to step on that mat and embrace the jiujitsu. I always wondered how do all this people on the streets, in the bus, library etc, how do they live without bjj haha, it feels so good to be able to bring a person to this sport and show them the gate to bjj. Porrada !

Awesome documentary! As a guy born and raised in Orange County who has moved to the east coast, I am anxious to move back to rejoin my jiujiteiros back home!
Thanks for sharing this! If you're ever on the east, let's get a roll in!

Loved it, thanks for bringing such a positive feel to our art!

Awesome documentary hit on every facet of Jiu Jitsu culture and history!

I loved nearly every part of this documentary, it really covered a lot of ground in a relatively short period of time, it was edited well, it had some very influential players in the art, and as an overall package, it was entertaining to watch. However, I don't think it has to have an explosions in the sky track to be classified as a documentary, most film makers seems to differ with that notion. There is so much good music out there, give new artists a chance to evoke emotion from their music.

wow you could do a whole documentary on Chris Hauter that guy is interesting as hell, loved hearing the stories from the old days

I absolutely loved this film (and JiuJitsu vs the World). Can't wait for my next class. Great use of "Your Hand in Mine" at the end, btw. Love that song. If the Canadian dollar wasn't shit I'd be ordering everything for your store, but for now I'll have to stick with just a t-shirt. :(

This really is absolutely fantastic work. Fascinating subject matter of course, but also gorgeously executed. Very very very well done, and thank you.

Great documentary. I'm 43 and been studying a little over 2 years now and totally hooked. Lucky to be learning with 2 of my boys from my Professor who also has been my best friend for 36 years.

This is an amazing piece of work. Quotable at virtually any point and an antidote for a lack of motivation. Great work!

never done more than 2 month of jiu-jitsu training but i am fascinated with nearly every martial art there is. i really enjoyed this documentary big time!
greetings from germany

Those early days in Torrance, those were the days...to be there really did seem like something very special, even at the time.

Thank you for sharing this. It makes me want to get back in to BJJ. I guess I was only at the wrong schools that didn't really start you off in the fundamentals. Just threw you in there with everyone else and didn't help you build confidence and at times just made fun of your weight. So I continued my pat in the arts of Muay Thai and JKD. One day I will get back to BJJ with the right school.

Awesome job. Loved the juxtaposition of old school vs new school. Very inspiring and keep them coming.

Great movie! Also, respect for having portuguese subtittles.

Back watching this again because it’s so damn good. Jiu-Jitsu history👍

Very impressive film! Lots of feels and motivation 🤙🏼

Awesome documentary and highlighting some of the BJJ originals.

Totally feel the same way about rolling its a journey n life , just started rolling one year ago I feel like I am a new generation.....this flick looks back on jiu jitsu and makes me proud and puts a fire n my heart

This documentary was very well executed, I enjoyed every minute of it. Sets the bar pretty high for BJJ videos in general. Im left very inspired.. not only to head to Cali or Rio but to do my part in making BJJ bigger in Canada in the future. Awesome work. I'd love to see some more documentaries from you guys!

Great film, guys. Interesting to learn more about the history of the art in the US, and beautiful camerawork! I'm glad I have a brother to come visit in SoCal and get some good training in while I'm here!

I saw this back in 2015 when I was thinking about trying jiu jitsu and thanks to Chris’s words in the opening scene 7 years and some change later I’m now a brown belt. Just keep training and it all falls into place

Fantastic doc guys! Hats off to you both, Great job!

This is an excellent piece of work. Kudos.

I have been doing martial arts on and off since 1989 when my mother put me into Judo at age 5 because she was worried I would get bulled for being fat so she wanted me to lose weight (which I did). Since then I’ve tried TKD, American style Kickboxing (PKA), boxing, Krav maga, Muay Thai and karate. Never really committed to any for more then 18 months before stopping usually because of an injury or being off for being sick or flu and never going back. In my mid 30s now I still have a love for martial arts. I discovered BJJ late only a year ago, I knew about it for over 10 years but always used to say it looks ‘gay’ rolling around with some guy and thought it was a joke and stuck to my MT, after learning about the Gracie family and watching the early videos of Ultimate Fighter champion I awe that BJJ kept winning. BJJ changed the face of martial arts today all MMA fighters learn BJJ. If only I knew then what I know now I would have started BJJ when I was younger. It’s so fun and it has the martial arts feel I had when I was younger with TKD, judo and karate 🥋unlike boxing and MMA and even Muay Thai. I joined BJJ and will prob never try another martial art again. Really enjoyed the technical side of it while chilling on the mats

I trained Krav Maga for 8 years and always wanted to try BJJ. Today, I'm 44 year old two stripe white belt and I'm so thankful that I decided to actually take a class. OSS!

GREAT documentary, this should have far more views. Awesome job.

I need BJJ back in my life, outside of my children that’s where I truly found peace

Awesome documentary! I have always had a interest in BJJ...i think this pushed me to go find an academy.

“When people get know to jiu jitsu...they stick to jiu jitsu”
Crazy how accurate that is for me rn

Great job, guys. Now I really want to go and train!

Must have watched this 100 times, it helps me to persevere, great work! I tell everyone to watch it!

Guys, love the doc! Thanks for putting it up! If you or any of your viewers are interested, Richard Bresler has a new memoir out about his experiences with the Gracie family, starting with meeting Rorion in 1979 and going through the Gracie Garages (the first of which was in the house that Richard and Rorion shared in Hermosa Beach), the founding of the Gracie Academy (made possible with a loan Richard made to Rorion), and the inception of the UFC (in which Richard invested and at which he was ringside next to Hélio Gracie himself). WORTH DEFENDING: HOW GRACIE JIU-JITSU SAVED MY LIFE is now available from Amazon in paperback and eBook. Thanks!

Truly amazing work eat films!!! THE BEST bjj documentary I have ever seen bar none! Surely award worthy?