DVD
Review | Pumping Iron 25th Anniversary Edition
Written by: Kage
Alan
When George Butler and Robert Fiore fell under
the spell of heavyweight bodybuilding, they decided to make a film out
of it and basing it on Charles Gains’ book as the format. The only
way it would work, however, is if then five-time Mr. Olympia Arnold
Schwarzenegger would put off retiring for one more year and be a major
participant in the film. It certainly was a good career move for him
since “Pumping Iron” went on to expose the world to the mostly
underground world of bodybuilding as well as those involved.
The cameras here follow a number of bodybuilders as
they train for a shot at the Mr. Olympia and Mr. Universe titles,
especially Arnold, then 28-years-old since he is by far the most popular
of the builders and has won so many times. Many are after his title, so
tension is abound with his biggest competition coming from a hard of
hearing young newcomer from Brooklyn, New York; Lou Ferrigno. Lou’s
trainer, his father, drills the young man on how to win, to keep doing
one more rep and what to do when in front of the judges and crowds.
Aside from appearances by Franco Columbu, Mike Katz
and all the other bodybuilders too numerous to mention (they would take
up more space than I have to work with), the film delves into what these
men have to do to maintain their physical condition, how they interact
with each other as well as the reasons for why they do what they do.
The real draw to “Pumping Iron”, however, is watching how Arnold brags
about himself, how he psyches Ferrigno out, the pure arrogance and the
tension behind-the-scenes that somehow manages to find its way onto the
screen.
Well, the joke is almost on us. Called a
documentary for years, even Arnold calls it more of a docudrama. Why?
In order to make the film more appealing to audiences as well as
investors, certain scenes were created specifically to be filmed and
shown to elicit a reaction from the public. Arnold discussing how he
wouldn’t go home to his father’s funeral is a prime example. It turns
out that his father never died before a contest at all. Mike Katz’s
t-shirt that goes missing was staged by the crew as were several
comments by the builders themselves meant to heighten nonexistent
tension. Even Lou Ferrigno’s father was brought into the action and the
man had never been Lou’s personal trainer like he claimed to be. It was
meant to show a father/son relationship or dynamic and make audiences
root for him as the underdog.
HBO has released the 25th anniversary of
“Pumping Iron” in what I wonder was its original aspect ratio; Full
Frame. For a film released in 1977, it’s in incredibly good shape.
There must have been some remastering done because even though there’s
grain and other minor flaws present, I’ve seen more recent films that
are in far worse condition. Audio quality is fine, so no complaints
there. Now, as for extras, they won’t disappoint. First up is the
insightful “Iron and Beyond” (14 ¼ min) with interview clips from the
likes of Sylvester Stallone and Clint Eastwood, a “Video Bio of Arnold
Schwarzenegger (10 ½ min), “Raw Iron: The Making of Pumping Iron” (42 ¼
min) with tons of previously unseen footage, “Iron Insights” (14 min)
featuring Arnold dispelling rumors about what did or did not go on
during the production as well as what was real and what wasn’t, “HBO
Promos” featuring comments from Arnold (2 min) and premier party (1 ½
min) and some DVD-ROM features.
Personally, after having watched the film, I
enjoyed the extras more than the actual movie itself. It’s one thing to
watch “Pumping Iron” and think of it as real and then another to find
out it isn’t quite what it claims to be. This isn’t to say that I
disliked “Pumping Iron” because I did enjoy it. It was a glimpse into a
world I will never come close to participating in or seeing for myself.
Oh, I go to the gym, but it’s mostly to get my partner to quit poking my
gut and singing “see it wiggle, see it jiggle”. NOT funny. Anyway, now
is the perfect time to add this film to your collection because it’s
unlikely it will ever be visited again with this much detail.
Film Rating:
B
DVD Special Features: A
|
