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Beyond The Mat
1999
Filmmaker Barry W. Blaustein takes a look at the professional wrestling game at every level, from the hopeful, perhaps deluded beginners who spend their money on wrestling schools, to the lower levels of the profession, to the pinnacle of wrestling success: national fame in the WWF. Particularly fascinating are Blaustein's .. Read more
| Starring | Mick Foley, Jake |
|---|---|
| Director | Barry W. Blaustein |
| Genres | Documentary |
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Beyond The Mat
Filmmaker Barry W. Blaustein takes a look at the professional wrestling game at every level, from the hopeful, perhaps deluded beginners who spend their money on wrestling schools, to the lower levels of the profession, to the pinnacle of wrestling success: national fame in the WWF. Particularly fascinating are Blaustein's examinations of Jake "The Snake" Roberts and Mick "Mankind" Foley. Roberts was once a superstar in the WWF, but evidently drugs and alcohol destroyed his career, and left him a broken and bitter man, wrestling on the outer reaches of the pro circuit. In a poignant scene, Blaustein captures a painful reunion between Roberts and his adult daughter. Foley, on the other hand, is a tremendous success in the WWF and a devoted husband and father. But the violence of his profession still threatens to tear his family apart. Blaustein makes no bones about his perspective in making his film. He's a wrestling fan. That said, the film offers an honest view of the outrageous and controversial world of professional wrestling. Though the outcomes of matches are usually predetermined making it a different kind of sport, pro wrestling is certainly a demanding and brutal way of life.
| Starring | Mick Foley, Jake |
|---|---|
| Director | Barry W. Blaustein |
| Studio | UNIVERSAL PICTURES UK |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 45 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Documentary |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 18 Sep 2000 Production year: 1999 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (5)
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Barry W Blaustein, the ex-Saturday Night Live writer who keeps Eddie Murphy in hits, makes his directorial debut with this behind-the-scenes look at the World Wrestling Federation. Highlighting the sport's meticulously choreographed showmanship, Blaustein focuses specifically on the way hard-nosed commercialism drives the stars to push themselves to the limits of physical endurance. However, while Terry Funk is seemingly content to wrestle on at the age of 53, the sport has clearly ruined the life of Jake “the Snake” Roberts, whose relationship with his daughter provides painful moments matched only by Mick Foley seeing the impact his fearless style has on his kids. Glib in places, but eminently sympathetic.
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"...Spirited....[Wrestling] nonfans will be simultaneously appalled and fascinated..." -- 3 out of 5 stars -- A Satisfying Rental
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Most helpful member's review
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11 out of 11 people found this review helpful
Beyond the expected
This is a quite unique piece of documentary filmmaking. The director, Barry Blaustein, has gained access to the highest levels of several major wrestling companies, including the daddy of them all, the WWF (now WWE), and exposed some of the inner workings of these entertainment behemoths.
Far more remarkable than this, however, is that he has captured some of wrestling's greatest and most enigmatic stars at their most human, vulnerable, and hurt. That any of them signed the release is a feat in itself.
However, although the film holds some interest even for non-wrestling aficionados, the structure is a little too scatty. With a better editor and writer, this should have been the masterpiece that the moments captured suggest it could have been.
Nonetheless, it is still an insightful look behind the veil of these modern-day gladiators, and if you can ignore the poor pacing and lack of drama, there is much here to enjoy and think about. -
Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Beyond the Mat
This DVD is great for all those who love, or loved, the WWF. The section on Jake 'The Snake' Roberts is particularly heart-breaking. This documentary really shows the darker side of the wrestling business and how tough decisions are made and dreams broken. This is one of the better documentaries about the world of wrestling and well worth a look.
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Filmmaker Barry W. Blaustein takes a look at the professional wrestling game at every level, from the hopeful, perhaps deluded beginners who spend their money on wrestling schools, to the lower ... -