Category Archives: Fiction

Sherlock Holmes movie update

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Saturday, 18th October 2008 Since our early September update, the Bartitsu Society has been in contact with the upcoming Sherlock Holmes movie production and has donated copies of both volumes of the Bartitsu Compendium to … Continue reading

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“I am a Woman, but no Weakling” – Judith Lee, Lady Detective

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Tuesday, 29th November 2011 He stopped – there was silence. The bell rang again. I was just about to suggest again that he should go and see who was at the outer door … Continue reading

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“Be careful with the face, boys …” – Preview of a Fight Scene from “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows”

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Sunday, 4th December 2011 A new sneak preview (minor spoilers) of a baritsu fight from the feature film Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, opening on December 16th:

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The Substance of Style: a Review of the Martial Arts Action in “Sherlock Holmes – A Game of Shadows”

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Saturday, 17th December 2011 Due warning: this review contains minor plot spoilers. A Game of Shadows is afoot all over Europe in the blockbuster sequel to Guy Ritchie’s 2009 hit movie, Sherlock Holmes. The plot is … Continue reading

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“A whirling black arm of the night”: an Excerpt from Dashiell Hammett’s “Nightmare Town” (1924)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Monday, 16th January 2012 Thanks to Chris Amberger (The Secret History of the Sword) for unearthing the adventures of Steve Threefall, the adventurer-hero of Dashiell Hammett’s 1924 novelette “Nightmare Town”, whose fighting cane … Continue reading

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“A sphere of deadliness” – More Stickfighting Action from Hammett’s “Nightmare Town”

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Friday, 27th January 2012 Our second and final excerpt from Dashiell Hammett’s 1924 pulp classic, “Nightmare Town”, featuring hard-bitten adventurer Steve Threefall and his trademark weapon – an ebony fighting cane. Men filled … Continue reading

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Neal Stephenson on Bartitsu and Suffrajitsu in the Foreworld

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Sunday, 10th June 2012 The Foreworld project is an epic multi-media historical fiction franchise centered around the martial arts of European history. Quoting Subutai principal Neal Stephenson on the subjects of Victorian-era self defence and physical … Continue reading

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“Susan Swayne and the Bewildered Bride”

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Friday, 22nd June 2012 The world premiere of this new play by Chicago playwright Reina Hardy will be produced by the Babes With Blades theatre company in August 2012. It’s 1888 in London, and the … Continue reading

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“A touch of baritsu”: when Sherlock Holmes met Batman

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Saturday, 21st July 2012 The original “world’s greatest detective” employs “a touch of baritsu” to down a fleeing felon by way of introduction to the Dark Knight himself; from Detective Comics #572 (1987).

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“Waylaid by a Ruffian!”

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Sunday, 19th August 2012 A cautionary tale of urban maleficence. Don’t let this happen to you! Ladies and gentlemen alike are invited to arm themselves against the tide of ruffianism by attending the … Continue reading

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