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Beyond The Mat (1999)
Released By: Universal Studios Home Video   Rating: R   In Theaters: N/A
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Studio: Universal Studios Home Video
Genre: Non-Fiction
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Barry W. Blaustein
Language: English
Official Website: N/A
Theatrical Release: N/A
Home Video Release: N/A
Cast: Terry Funk, Jake 'The Snake' Roberts, Vince McMahon
Published ID: 183697
UPC: 025192091025, 025192110924, 025192397622,
Plot: In a rare foray into documentary filmmaking, Ron Howard and Brian Grazer's Imagine Entertainment produced this behind-the-scenes look at professional wrestling, shot on digital video by director (Barry W. Blaustein), screenwriter of several hit Eddie Murphy comedies. An unabashed wrestling fan since childhood, Blaustein nevertheless takes an unflinching look at the dark underbelly of the sport, as he shadows a trio of wrestlers representing three very different aspects of the profession. Mick Foley is a superstar shown to be the complete opposite of Mankind, his successful wrestling character. At work, Mankind is a bloodthirsty animal, but when his mask is off, he's a loving, doting father clearly worshipped by his two young kids, who are traumatized when they witness Foley being bloodied at an Anaheim, California, event. Terry Funk is a portrait of what Foley could become, a former legend now at the end of his career and in desperate need of knee surgery, but continuing to perform dangerous stunts in the ring. Jake The Snake Roberts, on the other hand, travels in second-class wrestling circles, a recovering drug addict who has a painful reconciliation with his daughter. Blaustein also interviews the World Wrestling Federation's boastful bigwig Vince McMahon. McMahon later tried to block the release and promotion of the film. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
IDDateTimeTitleReviewHelpfulVotesTotalVotes
Fantastic analysis of Soap Opera for Men
Added 7/26/2009

A true life version of the Wrestler - much better than the imitation. This covers the Real Life implications of a very physical form of Entertainment. It's a great analysis of "Soap Opera for Men."
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
A true look into the world of Professional Wrestling
Added 6/7/2009

This video goes into detail about how real the wrestling world is. As far as documenaries go, this is a great look into Professional wrestling. You get to see what it takes to make it in the business, and everything that can happen when you do. I enjoyed this documentary very much.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Good look at the ring science
Added 9/8/2008

One of the oldest filmic clichés is that there's nothing sadder than an old boxer, a washed up pug. To that I might state that only an old wrestler is sadder. After all, wrestling is not a true sport- it's a violent theatrical production, and there is not much at stake for the viewers. As for the wrestlers, themselves....that's where this documentary from 2000 comes in. Directed by first time auteur Barry Blaustein it chronicles the re-rise of pro wrestling to prominence in the late 1990s- the era that saw Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, and Cactus Jack become celebrities of a greater nature than any of their forebears, like Killer Kowalski, Dusty Rhodes, Bruno Sammartino, or Hulk Hogan.
The film starts off as an exploration of the men behind the `names', yet it makes a mistake right off the bat, by billing itself as an exposé of the sport, a film that `Vince McMahon doesn't want you to see'. McMahon, to those in the know, is the owner of the largest wrestling league in the nation- the WWE, then the WWF, but there's little in the film to suggest that this is a tell-all. There are some wrestlers with gripes, and we see tales of failed lives, and failed wrestling circuits, like the ECW and WCW (long since bought out by the WWE), and McMahon's league certainly has a history of dealing in drugs (steroids, etc.- as the aforementioned Hogan testified against him in a highly publicized trial in the early 90s), as well as being shamefully anti-union, and not caring of its performers (not long after the film's release one of its wrestlers- Owen Hart, of a well-known wrestling clan- was killed in a spectacular fashion while performing, and the film acknowledges that one of its minor characters, Droz, was paralyzed not long after the film was completed), but all of this is public knowledge, and old news.
What works, though is the portrait of the biz the film portrays, and the three main wrestlers whose lives it follows.... The film has its moments of poignancy and insight, but they are too few and far between. A more pristine and jaded eye would have been necessary, and a more ballsy approach to the subject matter, to gain a following outside the `choir' of pro wrestling. Still, since I go to those pews, every few years, I think it's a must see for any wrestling fan. The game has changed much during the decades, yet, in a sense, it hasn't changed at all. Whether good or bad is the crux, and what this film passes on.

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Great In-Depth Look into the Lives of Wrestlers
Added 5/6/2007

Most people don't think about all the work wrestlers put into doing their jobs. This DVD gives the viewer a closer look at all the injuries, broken relationships, and health issues that wrestlers deal with. I bought this DVD for my husband for his birthday, but I ended up watching it with him, and I can say I have a new appreciation for professional wrestling. I recommend this to anyone who truely enjoys wrestling and those behind it.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
One of the best "behind the scenes" wrestling dvd's
Added 10/21/2006

i just bought this today and this is a very good film, it shows the truth about professional wrestling and what its about. I strongly recomend it to all ages
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Fantastic analysis of Soap Opera for Men
Added 7/26/2009

A true life version of the Wrestler - much better than the imitation. This covers the Real Life implications of a very physical form of Entertainment. It's a great analysis of "Soap Opera for Men."
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
A true look into the world of Professional Wrestling
Added 6/7/2009

This video goes into detail about how real the wrestling world is. As far as documenaries go, this is a great look into Professional wrestling. You get to see what it takes to make it in the business, and everything that can happen when you do. I enjoyed this documentary very much.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Good look at the ring science
Added 9/8/2008

One of the oldest filmic clichés is that there's nothing sadder than an old boxer, a washed up pug. To that I might state that only an old wrestler is sadder. After all, wrestling is not a true sport- it's a violent theatrical production, and there is not much at stake for the viewers. As for the wrestlers, themselves....that's where this documentary from 2000 comes in. Directed by first time auteur Barry Blaustein it chronicles the re-rise of pro wrestling to prominence in the late 1990s- the era that saw Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, and Cactus Jack become celebrities of a greater nature than any of their forebears, like Killer Kowalski, Dusty Rhodes, Bruno Sammartino, or Hulk Hogan.
The film starts off as an exploration of the men behind the `names', yet it makes a mistake right off the bat, by billing itself as an exposé of the sport, a film that `Vince McMahon doesn't want you to see'. McMahon, to those in the know, is the owner of the largest wrestling league in the nation- the WWE, then the WWF, but there's little in the film to suggest that this is a tell-all. There are some wrestlers with gripes, and we see tales of failed lives, and failed wrestling circuits, like the ECW and WCW (long since bought out by the WWE), and McMahon's league certainly has a history of dealing in drugs (steroids, etc.- as the aforementioned Hogan testified against him in a highly publicized trial in the early 90s), as well as being shamefully anti-union, and not caring of its performers (not long after the film's release one of its wrestlers- Owen Hart, of a well-known wrestling clan- was killed in a spectacular fashion while performing, and the film acknowledges that one of its minor characters, Droz, was paralyzed not long after the film was completed), but all of this is public knowledge, and old news.
What works, though is the portrait of the biz the film portrays, and the three main wrestlers whose lives it follows.... The film has its moments of poignancy and insight, but they are too few and far between. A more pristine and jaded eye would have been necessary, and a more ballsy approach to the subject matter, to gain a following outside the `choir' of pro wrestling. Still, since I go to those pews, every few years, I think it's a must see for any wrestling fan. The game has changed much during the decades, yet, in a sense, it hasn't changed at all. Whether good or bad is the crux, and what this film passes on.

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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