The documentary “The Gracies and the Birth of Vale Tudo” is a family saga that chronicles how the Gracie family developed Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and pioneered the no-holds-barred fighting style known as Vale Tudo, which laid the foundation for modern mixed martial arts (MMA). The film details the family’s journey from their beginnings in Brazil to the global phenomenon that MMA has become. The film explores the lives of key family members, particularly brothers Carlos and Hélio Gracie, and the subsequent generations who propelled the sport forward. It chronicles how the Gracies’ “Gracie Challenge”—where they would challenge fighters from other martial arts styles—popularized their jiu-jitsu and cemented the brutal but effective principles of Vale Tudo. Family feuds and triumphs: The documentary delves into the relationships, rivalries, and conflicts within the Gracie family, including the tragic death of Rolls Gracie and the business decisions that led to the founding of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Director Victor Cesar Bota draws on unprecedented access to home movies and family archives to tell the story of the family’s migration from Brazil to the world stage. The film illustrates the family’s strong beliefs and values, exploring the philosophy and lifestyle that have defined generations of Gracie martial artists. It is available on Amazon Prime. https://www.amazon.com/Gracies-Birth-Vale-Tudo/dp/B0837ZSWT2