Beyond the Mat (1999)

Director:

Barry W. Blaustein

Writer:

Barry W. Blaustein (writer)

Release Date:

17 March 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary

Tagline:

The movie Vince McMahon does not want you to see!

Plot:

Heartfelt documentry focusing on the lives of professional wrestlers and how their sport is not fake.

Plot Keywords:

Wrestling | Father Daughter Relationship | Estranged Parent | Chair | Biographical

Awards:

3 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Mick Foley	...	Himself
Jake Roberts	...	Himself
Terry Funk	...	Himself
Vince McMahon	...	Himself
Tony Jones	...	Himself
Michael Modest	...	Himself
Roland Alexander	...	Himself
Darren Drozdov	...	Himself
Vicki Funk	...	Herself
Stacy Funk	...	Herself
Brandee Funk	...	Herself
Paul Heyman	...	Himself
Brandy Smith	...	Herself
Collette Foley	...	Herself
Dewey Foley	...	Himself

Also Known As:

Beyond the Mat: Unrated Director's Cut (USA) (director's cut)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and violent content.

Runtime:

102 min | USA:108 min (director's cut)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Finland:K-15 | Australia:M | Germany:16 | Netherlands:16 | Singapore:R(A) | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #37049) | USA:Unrated (director's cut)

Filming Locations:

APW Garage - 21063 Cabot Boulevard, Hayward, California, USA

Company:

Imagine Entertainment

Trivia:

Since the initial release of the film, Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW) were closed down and purchased by World Wrestling Entertainment.

Quotes:

[after auditioning for a movie role]
New Jack: Maybe I'll be the next Denzel.

Movie Connections:

References Old Yeller (1957)

Soundtrack:

Stand by Me

Well Done

I am not the biggest wrestling fan as I was when I was a little kid, but I found myself amazed with the inner workings of what it actually takes for a wrestler to make it in whatever venue. I can still remember a long time ago on Sundays watching Wrestling at the Chase with Larry Madisick (The ringside announcer). Then, it was Crusher Blackewell, The Von-Eriks, and other various names that seem to have long been forgotten. Now, it's Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, and women wrestlers like Chyna.

It was amazing to see the transformation from what it was into what it is. It was also sad to see the self destruction of Jake the Snake Roberts and to a certain point Terry Funk with his refusal to retire.

What was also interesting was the fact that the heads of the wrestling groups (like Vince McMahon)the movie did profile did not make light of what they did or even how they promoted it. This is sports entertainment plain and simple. They have tapped into a market not to be out done by any other mass marketed item except for PokeMon.

The only problem I had with this film was the fact that I did see it at the movie theater. Now after the fact, I believe that a documentary like this should have gone to video instead. It didn't diminish the quality of the subject, but it was just something not meant for the big screen.

None the less I did enjoy this film and I would recommend it for just about anyone who has the slightest interest in wrestling.