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Beyond the Mat
Beyond the Mat
Actors: Terry Funk, Mick Foley, Jake Roberts, Barry W. Blaustein, Vince McMahon
Director: Barry W. Blaustein
Genres: Sports, Documentary
UR     2000     1hr 42min

At first, this behind-the-scenes documentary about professional wrestling seems as if it will be an unabashed fan's whitewash of the increasingly bizarre and popular world of "sports entertainment," as it is known. But dir...  more »

     

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Movie Details

Actors: Terry Funk, Mick Foley, Jake Roberts, Barry W. Blaustein, Vince McMahon
Director: Barry W. Blaustein
Creators: Barry W. Blaustein, Barry Bloom, Brian Grazer, Debra Marie Simon, Michael Rosenberg, Ron Howard
Genres: Sports, Documentary
Sub-Genres: Wrestling, Documentary, Documentary
Studio: Universal Studios
Format: DVD - Color - Closed-captioned
DVD Release Date: 08/22/2000
Original Release Date: 03/17/2000
Theatrical Release Date: 03/17/2000
Release Year: 2000
Run Time: 1hr 42min
Screens: Color
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 1
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Languages: English
See Also:

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Member Movie Reviews

Damian M. (ratchet)
Reviewed on 3/11/2009...
I have to preface this by stating I am not at all a pro-wrestling fan. But good documentaries make you care about the subject matter no matter your pre-conceived notion. And that's exactly what this one did. Now, thats not to say if I were a pro-wrestling fan I wouldnt get more out of this, I am sure I would. I think it works because it shows people - hopes and dreams are universal. This documentary focuses on McMahon and the WWF (when it was known as that) and the ECW (when it existed). Also featured are several wrestlers, but specifically Jake 'the Snake' Roberts, Mick Foley, and the iron man Terry Funk. Interviews included the Rock, Jesse Ventura and a variety of sub-players. There is nothing fake about the brutality and pain in the ring (and out of the ring in Roberts' case). Really puts a human face on this industry, to much of one for Vince McMahon who tried to sue to get this pulled from release.

Movie Reviews

"Ringside SE" not as good as the original DVD release
KaneRobot | Rochester Hills, MI United States | 03/25/2004
(2 out of 5 stars)

"I purchased this under the impression that all the features from the first disc would be retained, in addition to adding a new commentary with Jesse Ventura and Mick Foley and an interview with them as well. The new Ventura/Foley commentary is nothing special as they only talk for a total of about half the movie, and for some reason it's an intrusive video commentary where the disc pauses to switch tracks every time it comes on - would have been much better to just let them talk the entire time and leave it as an audio only track.My problem here is, they removed the director only commentary and also the Mick Foley solo commentaries from the previous disc. I don't see why this happened, as the Terry Funk & director commentary from the previous disc IS still on there. It's not like they couldn't have fit all of it on one disc.A very solid documentary that everyone should check out if they have not already, but I'd advise picking up the previous release, as the special features are stronger.For the sake of completeness, I'd give the original DVD relase 4 stars."
The World Behide Pro Wrestling
KaneRobot | 07/01/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)

"This movie takes an inside look at the world of pro wrestling. You see the stars of today's wrestling world as you have never seen them before, the personal side. Featured in the flim is best selling author and hardcore icon Mankind (or Mick Foley). In one scene you see Mick's wife break down into tears, as she shields the couple's children as Mick gets cracked in the head a whopping 10 times in the head with a steel chair. Also doucumented in the film is Jake "The Snake" Roberts and his battle with personal demons. Hardcore legeng Terry Funk is also showcased. This is not just a movie for wrestling fans as it is a story of human emotions and insterst and not a vechile to promote the sports entertainment industry."
What a GREAT documentary!
Che | San Jose, CA. | 09/14/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Beyond the Mat is a documentary of professional wrestling. It shows behind the scenes footage and lives of wrestlers. People from independent wrestling organizations to Extreme Championship Wrestling to the greater then all World Wrestling Federation (sorry Turner, no World Championship Wrestling in this movie!). It was great because it was non-biased. It's cool to see wrestlers at ease behind stage. Talking and hanging around with one another knowing that they have to wrestle each other in a few minutes! The movie has some footage of Vince McMahon, owner of the WWF. It proves once and for all that he is "THE MAN", and that he can make you or break you in the industry. The movie focused on the lives of 3 wrestlers, Terry Funk (now 56, has retired and come back as much as Ozzy!), the once famous Superstar Jake "The Snake" Roberts and Mick Foley (aka Cactus Jack, Mankind, Dude Love). I don't want to spoil the movie by going over their lives. I'll tell you one thing though, the shocker for me was Jake the Snake! Once the biggest star of the WWF, now turned into a has-been crack addict. Wow, what a story! That's just a part of his life, you should see the rest of it, it's pretty sad! The documentary also talks about the struggles of trying to become a pro wrestler, pretty much getting payed nothing. You have people that work as an airline mechanic, a kindergarden teacher etc. It's a great movie, even if your not a fan of professional wrestling. This is one of the best documentaries that I've ever seen."