Parkour — the style of movement seen in chase scenes Casino Royale, The Incredible Hulk, and Live Free or Die Hard — officially got its start by David Belle in the mid-90s, with inspiration from French military and rescue training. But this clip from 1977′s Gizmo! (via Kottke) shows footage from the 1930s that indicates David Belle is a big French plagiarist.
In a related bit of news, I found this section from Parkour’s Wikipedia page enlightening, yet unsurprising:
According to Belle, “the physical aspect of parkour is getting over all the obstacles in your path as you would in an emergency…” Thus, when faced with a hostile confrontation with a person, one will be able to speak, fight, or flee. As martial arts are a form of training for the fight, parkour is a form of training for the flight.
In other words, the French actually created an entire discipline dedicated to finding the most efficient method to run away. Stereotypes are awesome.
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![[image]](http://cdn.wl.uproxx.com/wp-content/thumbnails/130/110/2011/09/jumping-mini-coopers-180x180.png)
I’m still worried that Soul Asylum’s Runaway Train may never come back.
@Enrico: I’m not gonna say Soul Asylum was the musical equivalent of an abortion, but I’m not NOT gonna say it either.
“…one will be able to speak, fight, or flee.”
So, yelling “I fart in your general direction!” is Parkour?
Perhaps the French were the inspiration for the cowards in North Carolina when they came up with their state motto “First in Flight.”
Did anyone else have the Mentos theme playing in their head while watching?
@CMoney, is your avatar Steve Buscemi in Billy Madison?
Sadly…that’s me. When The Simpsons Movie came out, there was a website where you could scan a picture of yourself and they would turn you into a Simpsons character. Now excuse me while I cross your name off my hit list.
/slowly leans back in chair, putting on lipstick.
The French making an art of retreating, how appropriate!
There’s just something relaxing about watching bodies go out to sea in a tire.
Who says proper tire disposal has to be boring.