Pumping Iron (2003, DVD)

It just doesn’t get any better than this. A documentary tracing the early Arnold Schwarzenegger’s chase to win the 1975 Mr. Olympia title and defend his five-time title. In fact, Arnold never lost a competition – and Pumping Iron was the behind-the-scenes story of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s sixth title chase against big body-building names like Lou Ferrigno Serge Nubret, Franco Columbu, Mik Katz, Ken Waller and others. Even Joe Weider himself is in the movie.

Pumping Iron was a huge hit during the 70s and, after the Cinemax special in 2003, Pumping Iron enjoyed a rebirth of success that was only heightened when Arnold himself was named Governor of California months later.

Whether you are a Schwarzenegger fan or not – this movie is fantastic – partially because it documents the sport of body-building in a fascinating way – and partly because Arnold is absolutely hilarious. His candor and ego are wonderfully funny to watch and provide endless entertainment. In fact – and I’m embarrassed to admit it – but I’ve seen the movie at least 10 times. Its too funny.

Great quotes and moments from Pumping Iron:

Arnold Schwarzenegger: Franco is pretty smart, but Franco's a child, and when it comes to the day of the contest, I am his father. He comes to me for advices. So it's not that hard for me to give him the wrong advices.

Arnold Schwarzenegger: I don't have any weak points. I had weak points three years ago, but my main thing in mind is, my goal always was, to even out everything to the point... that everything is perfect. Which means if I want to increase one muscle a half inch, the rest of the body has to increase. I would never make one muscle increase or decrease, because everything fits together now, and all I have to do is get my posing routine down more perfect, which is almost impossible to do, you know. It's perfect already.

Interviewer: Do you visualize yourself as a living sculpture?
Arnold Schwarzenegger: Yes, definitely. Good bodybuilders have the same mind when it comes to sculpting, than a sculptor has.

You will enjoy this movie mainly for the personalities. Arnold, "Louie" Ferrigno and his obsessed father, and all the other gym rats living the bodybuilding life are humorous and intersting.

Arnold steals the show! He is so funny! And in the outtakes alot of the crazy stuff going on in the competitions is explained.

This is a "pure" gem. Its an orignal film with an energy all its own. You won't be dissappointed and you will be very entertained. Enjoy.