'Put Up Your Dux' was a piece I initially hoped would be a fair and down the middle look at Frank Dux if nothing else. Not going to hide the fact I think he's the owner of a runaway ego & perpetrating self serving lies, but I would have been open to a solid docudrama exploring him from all angles. Instead what we have is a piece that fully buys into his brand. It spends the majority of its 70 minute runtime not asking you to question legitimacy. Not offering any big challenge. Rather reinforces a narrative through talks with the man himself, friends or family and it expects you to be either entertained or unable to see what's going on.
You don't have to know Frank inside and out to see it's going to touch on certain topics. Like his involvement, role in the flick 'Bloodsport' and how it launched his name. The popularity of martial arts dojos that rose in the 80's. His covert deep cover work for the government / CIA. You get his family background and later a lawsuit involving Hollywood. You don't expect friends, family or fans to be impartial, but they trot out quite honestly dubious faces offering support for Dux's claims. Those 'trust me, take my word for it' moments without a shred of proof.
I don't expect my review to persuade Dux believers to see the other side as that would be rather pointless. Instead what I'm trying to tell you is if you're interesting in this for the base concept of getting closer to finding out if he's for real it isn't going to help. 'Put Up Your Dux' is made by people who are very clear in their intentions and it's not about getting to the bottom of whatever truths lie here.
