Pumping Iron

This film had a huge impact on me, it was shown to about 30 bodybuilders from the Melton Barbell Club in Kettering UK.It was shown through the local film society for critical review.I don't think they ever had so many people turn up on one night.What I cant get over is the changes in all the main players and yet ironically "The Hulk" has turned out in best shape today.I was shocked to see Franco and how small he had become and Ed Corny in a wheel chair.I viewed the film again for the first time in 30 years,from what is now its cult status.What struck me this time was how "un marketed" the bodybuilding scene was at that time compared to what it achieved in the early 90's.The film was a tremendous piece of architecture bring together all the mystery of what was a un known sport.Im not sure what audience the film attracted, i'm now aware of its huge gay following and maybe from my perspective this could now be seen caught in the film with 30 years now under my belt?

This is the movie that made me compete. It is an insight into the trials and tribulations of a competitive bodybuilder. A fantastic movie to see the original Arnold, the man he was prior to his fame from movies.

This movie is one of the best body building movies ever made. It has passion and style and will allways give you the motivation for a good workout. You will find some of the biggest legends of body building in this feature.

I really love this movie! I don't believe you can watch it and not sign up for a gym. It just gives you so much desire to start fitness-training. Maybe not on their level, but still you get the desire to pump some serious iron. Moreover, the dialog is incredible. The movie is from 1977, a funny period in time, and it is as if every line of dialog contains a great joke or something. I guess, a lot of superfluous material has been cut out, and the filmmakers have only kept the relevant stuff. I don't have any extra material on my copy of the DVD, so I don't know. Anyway, this is a great movie not only to see Arnold but also to see other legends of bodybuilding like for example Mike Katz and many others.

It's 1975 before bodybuilding competitions in Pretoria, South Africa. Arnold Schwarzenegger is the multiple Mr. Olympia champion and favorite. He's from Austria and embraces the free wheeling American lifestyle. While he works out of Gold's Gym in Venice Beach, another competitor Lou Ferrigno is a rookie from Brooklyn who suffered from hard of hearing. Other bodybuilders are also highlighted in this unique competition. It's a nice insightful doc into a small slice of the world. Of course, everybody watches this for Arnold today. Our view of him is colored by his future. It is fascinating to see him unscripted. He is a competitive magnetic man with an inquisitive mind. His competitive nature is the most compelling part and explains so much about his life. The bodybuilding world is almost secondary looking back at it. It's an interesting slice of the world unknown at the time but today, it's an insight in one of the world's most fascinating personality.