Yes, that's the title to the second Mick Foley book, but it also does a good job of summarizing this wonderful documentary. This movie shows wrestling for the dangerous and addictive sport it is and that people seem to forget because the endings are predetermined. If you can watch the scenes where Foley is repeatedly hit in the head in front of his wife with a chair and then try and talk about how fake the sport is. Look at the life of Jake Roberts and say that there isn't something inherently messed up. Though it depicts horrible acts of violence and drug use, but this movie is more shocking in the damage people in this sport do to themselves in pursuit of this "fake" sport with so little respect for themselves. A chilling and wonderful documentary.
86 Reviews
Watch it, even if you hate wrestling
Tito-828 October 2000
This great documentary goes behind the scenes and shows us a side of wrestling that we rarely get to see. In particular, it focuses on three legendary wrestlers, and their stories should provoke a wide range of emotions from every viewer. There are other stories as well, but these were generally much less interesting, and the film works best when the focus is on Mick Foley, Terry Funk, or Jake Roberts. Their stories were all compelling, and wrestling-haters who are usually so quick to dismiss this business as "fake" should take a look at this movie and see just how real it can be.
Well Done
jtfsouth30 July 2000
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.
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.
Superb documentary
Ricky_Roma__23 October 2005
You've got to wonder about wrestlers. They're always on the road, they're always carrying knocks and injuries, they don't get paid much (except the few at the absolute top), they get no respect from the public at large, they don't actually compete in the legitimate sense of the word and the vast majority of them are quickly forgotten. Yet nearly all of the wrestlers in Beyond the Mat continue to seek the spotlight. Why? I guess Terry Funk sums it up best: "It's fun."
However, it's a strange type of fun. After all, I'm not sure that most people would class being hit over the head with steel chairs as 'fun'. Nor would most people relish the thought of being thrown off a steel cage. But as the film points out, wrestlers are hardly normal. At the same time, though, they're still people. They have the same problems as all of us. It's just that they earn their living by running around in spandex and by beating the crap out of one another.
Of all the different strands in Beyond the Mat, I like the Terry Funk section the most. It just shows how bizarre wrestling is. Here you have a man in his fifties who has degenerative arthritis and who wakes up in the morning, like many old men, in his y-fronts. Yet in the ring he's a bloodthirsty maniac. But at the same time he's a loving father who cries at his daughter's wedding and he has an excellent rapport with the man who he has his most brutal matches with. As dim-witted as wrestling is, nothing out of the ring is simple.
And the Funk section illustrates the problem that most wrestler face: they can't give up the spotlight. I mean, just take one of Funk's friends, Dennis Stamp. He hasn't wrestled in years but he still trains (by jumping up and down on a trampoline in his underwear) in the vain hope of getting another match. And when he's finally made the referee in Funk's 'retirement' match, he's beside himself with excitement at the prospect of being part of the main event. It seems like when you don't get paid much, when you're forced to do lousy jobs and when no one really knows who you are, the only compensation for such a depressing existence is a few cheers.
But although the film touches upon the dark side of wrestling, it's quite touching seeing Funk trying to persuade his friend Stamp to be part of his match. The man may be vicious in the ring, but outside it he's warm-hearted. And I like the way that when he persuades his friend to be part of his match, and when he walks away, he nearly trips over. Despite everything, he's just a lovable old guy. However, I also like the scene because Stamp is such a fool. He's so desperate to be someone and so desperate to be recognised, that he cuts a promo when he's explaining why he can't make the event ("I'm not booked!). It's as if reality and wrestling are blurred. He can't tell them apart.
Another wrestler who's been messed up by the business is Jake Roberts. He doesn't get on with his daughter and he's forced to pay for his drug habit by wrestling in fourth-rate events in backwater towns. He's even filmed urinating into a bucket and then falling asleep backstage. It really does give a depressing picture of what it is to be a professional wrestler your existence revolves around the road, run down hotels and small towns. No wonder so many of them are screwed up. But Roberts has even more reason to be screwed up than most. He's the product of a rape and his sister was kidnapped and murdered. And he has a terrible relationship with his father. They can barely look at one another. There's no connection there at all. And it's quite shocking hearing Roberts describe how he gave up his dreams just to shove wrestling down his father's throat (his dad was a wrestler and Robert's resolved to be better than him). Suddenly you can see why Robert's created such a compelling character. He was just drawing on his own life. Again reality and wrestling is blurred.
Perhaps the only one in the film that has a decent handle on things is Mick Foley. He has a clear plan (he wants to retire by the age of 35) and he has a solid family to support him. Somehow you know that he's going to be fine. Not that there aren't a few bumps on the way. In one scene he's forced to watch footage of his wife and kids screaming when he's repeatedly hit over the head with a steel chair. It's a real wake-up call. I mean, as entertaining as it is for sadistic bastards like myself, you just can't make you family endure that time after time. But it's his family that will keep Foley on the straight and narrow. However, for the other wrestlers who don't have stable personal lives, they'll have to seek love in cheers and applause. It seems like wrestling is a drug that most wrestlers can't crack.
Not that a few don't try. There's an amusing scene when a wrestler called New Jack, who has four justifiable homicides, auditions for a Hollywood casting agent. The people there are slimy beyond belief. They make the carnies in wrestling look honest in comparison.
But why the film succeeds so emphatically is because everything is just presented as it is. No judgements are made and nobody is looked down upon. Yeah, wrestling may be something on the fringes of society, but the film shows that as weird as it is, the people aren't really that weird after all. They're just people with the same problems we all have.
However, it's a strange type of fun. After all, I'm not sure that most people would class being hit over the head with steel chairs as 'fun'. Nor would most people relish the thought of being thrown off a steel cage. But as the film points out, wrestlers are hardly normal. At the same time, though, they're still people. They have the same problems as all of us. It's just that they earn their living by running around in spandex and by beating the crap out of one another.
Of all the different strands in Beyond the Mat, I like the Terry Funk section the most. It just shows how bizarre wrestling is. Here you have a man in his fifties who has degenerative arthritis and who wakes up in the morning, like many old men, in his y-fronts. Yet in the ring he's a bloodthirsty maniac. But at the same time he's a loving father who cries at his daughter's wedding and he has an excellent rapport with the man who he has his most brutal matches with. As dim-witted as wrestling is, nothing out of the ring is simple.
And the Funk section illustrates the problem that most wrestler face: they can't give up the spotlight. I mean, just take one of Funk's friends, Dennis Stamp. He hasn't wrestled in years but he still trains (by jumping up and down on a trampoline in his underwear) in the vain hope of getting another match. And when he's finally made the referee in Funk's 'retirement' match, he's beside himself with excitement at the prospect of being part of the main event. It seems like when you don't get paid much, when you're forced to do lousy jobs and when no one really knows who you are, the only compensation for such a depressing existence is a few cheers.
But although the film touches upon the dark side of wrestling, it's quite touching seeing Funk trying to persuade his friend Stamp to be part of his match. The man may be vicious in the ring, but outside it he's warm-hearted. And I like the way that when he persuades his friend to be part of his match, and when he walks away, he nearly trips over. Despite everything, he's just a lovable old guy. However, I also like the scene because Stamp is such a fool. He's so desperate to be someone and so desperate to be recognised, that he cuts a promo when he's explaining why he can't make the event ("I'm not booked!). It's as if reality and wrestling are blurred. He can't tell them apart.
Another wrestler who's been messed up by the business is Jake Roberts. He doesn't get on with his daughter and he's forced to pay for his drug habit by wrestling in fourth-rate events in backwater towns. He's even filmed urinating into a bucket and then falling asleep backstage. It really does give a depressing picture of what it is to be a professional wrestler your existence revolves around the road, run down hotels and small towns. No wonder so many of them are screwed up. But Roberts has even more reason to be screwed up than most. He's the product of a rape and his sister was kidnapped and murdered. And he has a terrible relationship with his father. They can barely look at one another. There's no connection there at all. And it's quite shocking hearing Roberts describe how he gave up his dreams just to shove wrestling down his father's throat (his dad was a wrestler and Robert's resolved to be better than him). Suddenly you can see why Robert's created such a compelling character. He was just drawing on his own life. Again reality and wrestling is blurred.
Perhaps the only one in the film that has a decent handle on things is Mick Foley. He has a clear plan (he wants to retire by the age of 35) and he has a solid family to support him. Somehow you know that he's going to be fine. Not that there aren't a few bumps on the way. In one scene he's forced to watch footage of his wife and kids screaming when he's repeatedly hit over the head with a steel chair. It's a real wake-up call. I mean, as entertaining as it is for sadistic bastards like myself, you just can't make you family endure that time after time. But it's his family that will keep Foley on the straight and narrow. However, for the other wrestlers who don't have stable personal lives, they'll have to seek love in cheers and applause. It seems like wrestling is a drug that most wrestlers can't crack.
Not that a few don't try. There's an amusing scene when a wrestler called New Jack, who has four justifiable homicides, auditions for a Hollywood casting agent. The people there are slimy beyond belief. They make the carnies in wrestling look honest in comparison.
But why the film succeeds so emphatically is because everything is just presented as it is. No judgements are made and nobody is looked down upon. Yeah, wrestling may be something on the fringes of society, but the film shows that as weird as it is, the people aren't really that weird after all. They're just people with the same problems we all have.
A true masterpiece of documentary filmmaking
sick_boy420xxx30 May 2001
As a wrestling fan, when I saw this movie in the video store, I had to get it. Thinking I'd be seeing nothing more than an overview of pro wrestling, I was pleasantly surprised to see this documentary by filmmaker Blaustein that incorporates all the major wrestling organizations in the U.S. and also some of the greatest wrestlers ever to step in the ring...including a few personal favorites like Mick Foley and Terry Funk. In showing these wrestlers as humans, Blaustein has created a view of wrestling unique in a world of trickery and promotional stunts. This is one helluva documentary going behind the scenes of all the wrestling promotions, showing the real people involved, and in the end shows the viewer that, indeed, in wrestling nothing as it seems. A few of the highlights include a touching, and tragic, portrayal of mat legend Jake "The Snake" Roberts, behind the scenes of a WWF pay-per-view, and the story of hardcore legend Mick Foley. I would highly recommend this to anyone...it is an entertaining and revealing film that I think even non-wrestling fans would enjoy.
The Two Sheds Review: Beyond The Mat - Film Review
twosheds31614 December 2005
It's been about six years since what is regarded as the best wrestling documentary was released. Director Barry Blaustein spent three years travelling up and down the highways of America in an attempt to find out what the wrestling business is really about. The end result was the compelling and controversial Beyond the Mat.
Even six years after it's release, Beyond the Mat makes compelling viewing, even if it's just to see how the lives and careers of those documented in the film have progressed. For some, a great deal has changed, while for others, time has more or less stood still.
For me, the three main focuses of the film were Mick Foley, Terry Funk, and Jake Roberts. The scenes with Mick spending time with his wife and children were particularly compelling, especially for those people who were only familiar with his sadistic in-ring characters, Cactus Jack and Dude Love. As Blaustein himself comments, Mick Foley is probably the sanest man in the history of professional wrestling. But the scenes during his Royal Rumble match with The Rock, where his kids are in tears and his wife has to take them away from the action are both compelling and distressing at the same time.
Then we have the legend that is Terry Funk, as he helps launch Extreme Championship Wrestling onto a national stage with the company's first pay-per-view, Barely Legal, before moving onto his retirement, an emotional moment as he lost his final match to Bret Hart.
Then there's Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Blaustein's most vocal critic in what are possibly the most controversial segments of the film. Jake's story is a tragic one, of his battles with drug addiction, and of his strained relationships with his father and daughter. While watching the tearful reunion with his daughter, you get the feeling that Jake isn't being entirely truthful with himself, and that this scene would have been better played out in private.
But as I mentioned at the beginning of this piece, it's interesting to see where some of the film's main players are now, six years later.
Mike Modest, who received a WWF try-out during the film, is still wrestling, having achieved a great deal of success with Pro Wrestling NOAH in Japan.
Shortly before the film was released, Darren Drozdov was paralysed after an in-ring accident. Droz continues to make progress today, but is still confined to a wheelchair.
ECW signed a national television contract with TNN during the making of the film, Two years later, the company went bankrupt.
Terry Funk's retirement was, like his many other retirements, short-lived, and he continues to compete to this day, at the age of 61.
Jake Roberts continues to battle his personal demons. Having fallen foul of the law while living and working in Britain, Jake returned to America this year, appeared on Monday Night War, and signed a merchandise deal with WWE. Rumour has it that Vince McMahon is personally paying for Jake's rehab treatment. In a shoot interview with Rob Feinstein five years ago, Jake said he would be taking legal action against Blaustein because of his portrayal in the film, but nothing ever came of this. Jake has been extremely critical of the director in numerous interviews he has given since the film's release.
In conclusion, Beyond the Mat is indeed compelling viewing, and one of the best wrestling documentaries ever made, on a par with Wrestling with Shadows. Barry Blaustein did a hell of a job portraying the wrestling business in a positive light. It's a hell of a film, and one that any wrestling fan should make a permanent part of their collection.
Even six years after it's release, Beyond the Mat makes compelling viewing, even if it's just to see how the lives and careers of those documented in the film have progressed. For some, a great deal has changed, while for others, time has more or less stood still.
For me, the three main focuses of the film were Mick Foley, Terry Funk, and Jake Roberts. The scenes with Mick spending time with his wife and children were particularly compelling, especially for those people who were only familiar with his sadistic in-ring characters, Cactus Jack and Dude Love. As Blaustein himself comments, Mick Foley is probably the sanest man in the history of professional wrestling. But the scenes during his Royal Rumble match with The Rock, where his kids are in tears and his wife has to take them away from the action are both compelling and distressing at the same time.
Then we have the legend that is Terry Funk, as he helps launch Extreme Championship Wrestling onto a national stage with the company's first pay-per-view, Barely Legal, before moving onto his retirement, an emotional moment as he lost his final match to Bret Hart.
Then there's Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Blaustein's most vocal critic in what are possibly the most controversial segments of the film. Jake's story is a tragic one, of his battles with drug addiction, and of his strained relationships with his father and daughter. While watching the tearful reunion with his daughter, you get the feeling that Jake isn't being entirely truthful with himself, and that this scene would have been better played out in private.
But as I mentioned at the beginning of this piece, it's interesting to see where some of the film's main players are now, six years later.
Mike Modest, who received a WWF try-out during the film, is still wrestling, having achieved a great deal of success with Pro Wrestling NOAH in Japan.
Shortly before the film was released, Darren Drozdov was paralysed after an in-ring accident. Droz continues to make progress today, but is still confined to a wheelchair.
ECW signed a national television contract with TNN during the making of the film, Two years later, the company went bankrupt.
Terry Funk's retirement was, like his many other retirements, short-lived, and he continues to compete to this day, at the age of 61.
Jake Roberts continues to battle his personal demons. Having fallen foul of the law while living and working in Britain, Jake returned to America this year, appeared on Monday Night War, and signed a merchandise deal with WWE. Rumour has it that Vince McMahon is personally paying for Jake's rehab treatment. In a shoot interview with Rob Feinstein five years ago, Jake said he would be taking legal action against Blaustein because of his portrayal in the film, but nothing ever came of this. Jake has been extremely critical of the director in numerous interviews he has given since the film's release.
In conclusion, Beyond the Mat is indeed compelling viewing, and one of the best wrestling documentaries ever made, on a par with Wrestling with Shadows. Barry Blaustein did a hell of a job portraying the wrestling business in a positive light. It's a hell of a film, and one that any wrestling fan should make a permanent part of their collection.
Wrestling Fans Only
MickeyTheConstant11 January 2021
This does feel dated and really is for wrestling fans only. For a neutral who knows nothing about wrestling they would be horrified at it by watching this. It portrays a really bleak existence for many and very dark side of the sport/entertainment industry. This may of been true in its day but much has moved on now. It is brighter, more professional and more family friendly. Not saying bad things never happen but it has moved on from this era. It's an interesting piece of filmmaking that captures a specific period in time. I found Foleys story the most interesting and he seemed a nice guy then and still does now. If you don't like pro wrestling then don't even think about watching this movie.
awesome documentary showing the true nature of the wrestling game
vocal_warchild8 March 2006
man i loved this film, a real insight into what happens behind the scenes of the world famous wrestling franchise. well all my favourites were here but mostly of not mick foley, i love this guy and to see him in such a candid light was great, also jake the snake roberts, it was difficult to see what a bad state of affairs this once amazing personality has gotten himself into. but on the whole its just a very honest portrayal of what these guys have to go through day by day just to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads and those of their families. i also strongly suggest that anyone who likes this movie also read the two mick foley books and also try and find jerry the king lawlers nbook as well as they give a really deep insight into the world of sports entetrtainment. the only thing i didn't like about this film is that it didn't have any info or input by dusty rhodes who is by far my all time favourite wrestler, oh well they did a great job even without the American dream.
Good look at wrestling
Cosmoeticadotcom8 September 2008
Warning: Spoilers
One of the oldest filmic clichés is that there's nothing sadder than an old boxer, a washed up pug. To that I might state that only an old wrestler is sadder. After all, wrestling is not a true sport- it's a violent theatrical production, and there is not much at stake for the viewers. As for the wrestlers, themselves
.that's where this documentary from 2000 comes in. Directed by first time auteur Barry Blaustein it chronicles the re-rise of pro wrestling to prominence in the late 1990s- the era that saw Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, and Cactus Jack become celebrities of a greater nature than any of their forebears, like Killer Kowalski, Dusty Rhodes, Bruno Sammartino, or Hulk Hogan.
The film starts off as an exploration of the men behind the 'names', yet it makes a mistake right off the bat, by billing itself as an exposé of the sport, a film that 'Vince McMahon doesn't want you to see'. McMahon, to those in the know, is the owner of the largest wrestling league in the nation- the WWE, then the WWF, but there's little in the film to suggest that this is a tell-all. There are some wrestlers with gripes, and we see tales of failed lives, and failed wrestling circuits, like the ECW and WCW (long since bought out by the WWE), and McMahon's league certainly has a history of dealing in drugs (steroids, etc.- as the aforementioned Hogan testified against him in a highly publicized trial in the early 90s), as well as being shamefully anti-union, and not caring of its performers (not long after the film's release one of its wrestlers- Owen Hart, of a well-known wrestling clan- was killed in a spectacular fashion while performing, and the film acknowledges that one of its minor characters, Droz, was paralyzed not long after the film was completed), but all of this is public knowledge, and old news.
What works, though is the portrait of the biz the film portrays, and the three main wrestlers whose lives it follows . The film has its moments of poignancy and insight, but they are too few and far between. A more pristine and jaded eye would have been necessary, and a more ballsy approach to the subject matter, to gain a following outside the 'choir' of pro wrestling. Still, since I go to those pews, every few years, I think it's a must see for any wrestling fan. The game has changed much during the decades, yet, in a sense, it hasn't changed at all. Whether good or bad is the crux, and what this film passes on.
The film starts off as an exploration of the men behind the 'names', yet it makes a mistake right off the bat, by billing itself as an exposé of the sport, a film that 'Vince McMahon doesn't want you to see'. McMahon, to those in the know, is the owner of the largest wrestling league in the nation- the WWE, then the WWF, but there's little in the film to suggest that this is a tell-all. There are some wrestlers with gripes, and we see tales of failed lives, and failed wrestling circuits, like the ECW and WCW (long since bought out by the WWE), and McMahon's league certainly has a history of dealing in drugs (steroids, etc.- as the aforementioned Hogan testified against him in a highly publicized trial in the early 90s), as well as being shamefully anti-union, and not caring of its performers (not long after the film's release one of its wrestlers- Owen Hart, of a well-known wrestling clan- was killed in a spectacular fashion while performing, and the film acknowledges that one of its minor characters, Droz, was paralyzed not long after the film was completed), but all of this is public knowledge, and old news.
What works, though is the portrait of the biz the film portrays, and the three main wrestlers whose lives it follows . The film has its moments of poignancy and insight, but they are too few and far between. A more pristine and jaded eye would have been necessary, and a more ballsy approach to the subject matter, to gain a following outside the 'choir' of pro wrestling. Still, since I go to those pews, every few years, I think it's a must see for any wrestling fan. The game has changed much during the decades, yet, in a sense, it hasn't changed at all. Whether good or bad is the crux, and what this film passes on.
Roller coaster
wersk7 June 2000
That film messes with your mind a bit, you shed a tear for Jake Robert's but you can't help but be amused by Mick Foley's attitude and the lines "Is it ok if I wrestle the kids in the basement... it doesn't matter if things get smashed up" and from Terry Funk's doctor "You shouldn't be able to walk now"
This film is a con just like the WWF.
CharltonBoy4 October 2000
When i bought this video i was expecting a Warts and all look at the american WWF. The Video said on the cover "Vince McMahon has declared war on beyond the matt" and "What they dont want you to see". Could someone tell me why? This film says nothing that harms WWF in fact it promotes if anything. The film Follows 3 Wrestlers ,Jake the Snake Roberts,Mick Foley and Terry Funk . Roberts is a Sad Junkie who still does the small Curcuit.Funk is a near Cripple who is battling with himself and retirement and Mick Foley who is one WWF's top stars. What this film shows is that these people REALLY do get hurt badly even though the shows are staged and the fighters are good friends behind the scenes. As i was saying the only thing that exposes the WWF in any way in this film is that the fights are staged but we knew that anyway. Call me cinical but i would say this film was funded by Mcmahon to show that the fighters get hurt and the the bouts are a risk to the fighters giving the fans another reason to watch the pay per view. If you want to see a film that exposes the WWF better watch Brett Hart:Fighting in shadows. 7 out of 10.
I am not a wrestling fan, but I loved this film!
rrivera29 February 2000
I just caught this film at the Cinequest film fest in San Jose, and I absolutely loved it. I hate wrestling, but while this film didn't change my mind, it certainly made me look at the "sport" with a new respect. Jake "The Snake" Roberts is worthy of his own documentary. He was very open and honest about his sometimes very sad and tragic life. I really hope he gets his life together. His story touched me very much. Also, its a very well made film. The editing, music, cinematography, and narration are all top notch. I recommend this film to anyone who likes movies. Its both hilarious and devastating. What more could you ask for in a film?
I ain't a forty-hour motherf*cker, man.
lastliberal25 November 2007
I lived outside Amarillo, Texas for nine years and never saw Terry Funk wrestle. I saw him make a lot of car commercials, but was never one for the wrestling game. I used to watch a little on Sunday mornings when I attended church at the Ace Lounge in Tampa about 30 years ago. That was pre-WWF - the time of Gorgeous George. From time to time I have tuned in to see what was going on - honestly, to see Miss Elizabeth - but I tuned out quickly as they spent all their time talking instead of wrestling.
So, see what goes on behind the scenes was very interesting. Especially, seeing how the least move is choreographed for maximum crown excitement.
It was also interesting to see people like Funk and Jake the Snake after they could no longer make it in the big time and had to resort to the bloody circuit, or ECW, and doing shows outside the big-time because of their drug or psychological problems.
I do have to say that taking a four year old to a wresting match to see her daddy beat to a pulp and sustain head injuries that required stitches is just plain child abuse.
So, see what goes on behind the scenes was very interesting. Especially, seeing how the least move is choreographed for maximum crown excitement.
It was also interesting to see people like Funk and Jake the Snake after they could no longer make it in the big time and had to resort to the bloody circuit, or ECW, and doing shows outside the big-time because of their drug or psychological problems.
I do have to say that taking a four year old to a wresting match to see her daddy beat to a pulp and sustain head injuries that required stitches is just plain child abuse.
Wrestlers are people too.
=G=5 July 2003
"Beyond the Mat" takes a superficial behind-the-scenes look at professional wrestling with a disappointing conglomeration of the spectacle and the performers and few hard facts. The film gets schmaltzy over the big guys as it shows their human side which we could all pretty much guess anyway...the good and the bad. What it doesn't show is ring death stats, injury stats, CT scans and medical reports (except for some knee x-rays), wrestling politics, corruption and payoffs, drug abuse (except one bit on coke), insurance issues, contract fine print and exploitation, the ex-wrestler paraplegic or homeless person, sex with groupies, and all the stuff one would expect of an expose or investigative report. What we do learn is Blaustein really likes wrestling and it shows in his this one-sided perspective. Fodder for WWF fans and the like. (C)
Finally a movie about wrestling that doesn't insult my intelligence
kiss197416 July 2002
I've seen this movie a few times and as a wrestling fan for over 20 years I was glad to see a movie that showed a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes. Blaustien does an amazing job and it was no surprise that it was seriously being considered for an Academy Award nomination (sadly it never ended up being actually nominated).
Wrestling fans have had to defend their love of the art of pro wrestling for many years. When the topic would come up that I am a wrestling fan I would be faced with the same idiotic question, with a tone of disbelief in their voice, "You know it's fake, right?". My response has always been to follow that question with "And what is your favourite TV show?" I usually get an answer like "Friends" or something similar and I then mockingly explain to them that Rachel and Ross never dated and Monica and Chandler are not really married and that that isn't even their real names. Soon they began to see the stupidity of their proclaiming that wrestling is fake. Whew, sorry, kind of went on a rant there.
Blaustien's film allows non wrestling fans to see exactly how "fake" wrestling can be. The blood, sweat and hard work that these athletes and their families endure is vividly shown. We finally see a human side of the often larger than life characters that these men and women of the squared circle portray.
One thing that I found very profound was the drab, dark and gloomy colours Blaustein used in segments showing that human side as opposed to the colourfulness of the slick production of the athletes performing. We go from the glamorous pyro and bright lights of a live Pay per View event to shots of the wrestlers in their concrete, black and white, dirty and sweaty dressing rooms. I don't know if the director did this on purpose but I thought it was quite effective.
Bottom line this movie is a must for any fan of wrestling but I feel it is even more important to the non-wrestling fan interested to see why all these people watch this "fake" form of entertainment.
Wrestling fans have had to defend their love of the art of pro wrestling for many years. When the topic would come up that I am a wrestling fan I would be faced with the same idiotic question, with a tone of disbelief in their voice, "You know it's fake, right?". My response has always been to follow that question with "And what is your favourite TV show?" I usually get an answer like "Friends" or something similar and I then mockingly explain to them that Rachel and Ross never dated and Monica and Chandler are not really married and that that isn't even their real names. Soon they began to see the stupidity of their proclaiming that wrestling is fake. Whew, sorry, kind of went on a rant there.
Blaustien's film allows non wrestling fans to see exactly how "fake" wrestling can be. The blood, sweat and hard work that these athletes and their families endure is vividly shown. We finally see a human side of the often larger than life characters that these men and women of the squared circle portray.
One thing that I found very profound was the drab, dark and gloomy colours Blaustein used in segments showing that human side as opposed to the colourfulness of the slick production of the athletes performing. We go from the glamorous pyro and bright lights of a live Pay per View event to shots of the wrestlers in their concrete, black and white, dirty and sweaty dressing rooms. I don't know if the director did this on purpose but I thought it was quite effective.
Bottom line this movie is a must for any fan of wrestling but I feel it is even more important to the non-wrestling fan interested to see why all these people watch this "fake" form of entertainment.
fantastic documentary
marlowe_is_dead3 April 2001
everything about this documentary is fantastic. it is emotionally charged almost the whole way thru. and sincere. i really don't know why vince mcmahon wants it banned, because after watching it, not only do i wish it were part of a series, but it will make the WWf viewing experience more intriguing. its three main foci were 53 year old "living legend" terry funk, the "insane" mick foley/mankind, and the late-80s early 90s wrestler jake "the snake" roberts.
great revelations are slipped in so understatedly as to make them seem almost trivial. "mick (foley) called to tell me that they were giving him the championship belt, but that he would lose it at a later pay-per-view, royal rumble". this was slipped in with no excitement. then we witnessed the event itself, focussing on the anguish of his wife and two kids sitting at ringside. and as he took immense and REAL punishment, their tears manifested themselves on my face.
another insight was shown as a person sitting in the "back-room" was feeding commentary to the "real" commentators sitting at ringside.
the documentary held more pain when it turned its attention on jake roberts, who now plays small-town cards, smokes, and is a crack-addict. i remember him from his high-times, and seeing him in this condition pierced my heart. and when his life story unravels, it turns grotesque. "my mom was 13 when she had me," he drawls. "that's cos my daddy raped her.....he was my mom's mom's (ie grandmother's) boyfriend..."
as i said, i wish that this were one in a series of exposes, for this is fascinating, and one of the best documentaries i have ever seen.
great revelations are slipped in so understatedly as to make them seem almost trivial. "mick (foley) called to tell me that they were giving him the championship belt, but that he would lose it at a later pay-per-view, royal rumble". this was slipped in with no excitement. then we witnessed the event itself, focussing on the anguish of his wife and two kids sitting at ringside. and as he took immense and REAL punishment, their tears manifested themselves on my face.
another insight was shown as a person sitting in the "back-room" was feeding commentary to the "real" commentators sitting at ringside.
the documentary held more pain when it turned its attention on jake roberts, who now plays small-town cards, smokes, and is a crack-addict. i remember him from his high-times, and seeing him in this condition pierced my heart. and when his life story unravels, it turns grotesque. "my mom was 13 when she had me," he drawls. "that's cos my daddy raped her.....he was my mom's mom's (ie grandmother's) boyfriend..."
as i said, i wish that this were one in a series of exposes, for this is fascinating, and one of the best documentaries i have ever seen.
A Great Look at the Innards Of a Misunderstood Business
mlom996 October 2003
I've been a big wrestling fan since I was a kid. I always knew, however, the matches were pre-determined, and the violence was staged, but this movie opened my eyes to the other side. The wrestler's personal lives, their familie's re-actions. The film is superbly done, the interviews with Jake Roberts are absolutely hunting. If you're a fan of the sport, I consider this essential viewing.
***1/2 out of ****
***1/2 out of ****
"I look at wrestling as theater at it's most base." - Director Barry Blaustein
classicsoncall24 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
My approach to pro wrestling is pretty much the same as the one director Barry Blaustein had in putting this documentary together over the span of three years (see my summary line). However I go back a bit further in time to the early and mid-Sixties with favorites like Bruno Sammartino, Bobo Brazil, Killer Kowalski and Vittorio 'The Argentine' Apollo. Back then there was an extra 'W' in WWE, when it was known as the World Wide Wrestling Federation, owned by Vince McMahon Sr. I pretty much stayed a fan for a few years after the rise of Hulk Hogan and the introduction of bizarre story elements. By then, the 'sport' began erasing the fine line between reality and fakery, as the action called for more and more over-the-top theatrics and daredevil type wrestling moves. It was more than evident by then that entertainment had taken over in the minds and hearts of wrestling fans.
I can understand the attraction of these giant behemoths pounding each other while the smaller and lighter wrestlers dazzle with their high flying moves. Which is why the WWE has become such a large business enterprise worth close to a billion dollars. This film examines some of what grew the the company under the direction of Vince McMahon Jr. and his family, along with a snapshot look at some of the stars both on the way up and on the way down. Highlighted are Darrin Droz, Terry Funk, Jake 'The Snake' Roberts, and Mick Foley in his various iterations as Mankind, Cactus Jack and Dude Love. The film takes pains to examine how the matches, even though they are pre-ordained, present a very real threat of danger and injury to the participants. Some, like Foley, take their enthusiasm to a level that becomes life threatening. I was no longer following wrestling when Mankind had that match with The Rock, and I have to say, those chair shots to the head made me wince as much as Mrs. Foley in the audience. Having their kids watch was cruel and unusual punishment.
For some, probably most, the life of a wrestler boils down to a career much like that of Jake Roberts. Constantly on the road with not much in the way of diversion, they resort to drugs and alcohol, with the resultant effect of divorce and estrangement from family. Roberts was not a discriminating drug abuser, he tried most everything, becoming addicted to crack cocaine and pills, with alcohol thrown in for good measure. How he and the other subjects of this documentary lived and persevered in a demanding career will open the eyes of most viewers who can't imagine what exists behind the glamour of screaming fans and a big paycheck. Fortunately in Roberts case, with the help of friends and family, he got through his addictions and managed a return to some semblance of a normal life. For more on that, I'd refer the reader to the 2015 documentary, "The Resurrection of Jake the Snake".
I can understand the attraction of these giant behemoths pounding each other while the smaller and lighter wrestlers dazzle with their high flying moves. Which is why the WWE has become such a large business enterprise worth close to a billion dollars. This film examines some of what grew the the company under the direction of Vince McMahon Jr. and his family, along with a snapshot look at some of the stars both on the way up and on the way down. Highlighted are Darrin Droz, Terry Funk, Jake 'The Snake' Roberts, and Mick Foley in his various iterations as Mankind, Cactus Jack and Dude Love. The film takes pains to examine how the matches, even though they are pre-ordained, present a very real threat of danger and injury to the participants. Some, like Foley, take their enthusiasm to a level that becomes life threatening. I was no longer following wrestling when Mankind had that match with The Rock, and I have to say, those chair shots to the head made me wince as much as Mrs. Foley in the audience. Having their kids watch was cruel and unusual punishment.
For some, probably most, the life of a wrestler boils down to a career much like that of Jake Roberts. Constantly on the road with not much in the way of diversion, they resort to drugs and alcohol, with the resultant effect of divorce and estrangement from family. Roberts was not a discriminating drug abuser, he tried most everything, becoming addicted to crack cocaine and pills, with alcohol thrown in for good measure. How he and the other subjects of this documentary lived and persevered in a demanding career will open the eyes of most viewers who can't imagine what exists behind the glamour of screaming fans and a big paycheck. Fortunately in Roberts case, with the help of friends and family, he got through his addictions and managed a return to some semblance of a normal life. For more on that, I'd refer the reader to the 2015 documentary, "The Resurrection of Jake the Snake".
Skip Rourke's Wrestler, Watch This Instead
zkonedog8 March 2017
A few years ago, I was very excited to watch Mickey Rourke's film "The Wrestler". However, upon viewing the film, I was left feeling disappointed with the project but couldn't quite put my finger on why. After watching "Beyond The Mat", I now fully realize what that feature film was missing: it the case of professional wrestling, the truth is undoubtedly stranger (and more compelling) than fiction.
For a basic summary of this documentary, it focuses on four primary areas:
1. The "independent" or "minor league" pro wrestling circuit conducted in gyms and town VFW's across the nation.
2. Jake "The Snake" Roberts, former WWE superstar, who now battles fierce demons (smoking, the bottle, crack, family troubles) just to stay alive.
3. Mick "Mankind" Foley, a man with an unnerving pain threshold that, while making it big, worries about the effects his punishment may have on his children.
4. Terry Funk, a wrestling lifer who reflects upon his career in an insane business...the ECW.
As a fan of professional wrestling (WWE in particular), this documentary really pulled at the heartstrings. Whereas the glitz, glamour, and pageantry all look great on screen, the horrors and tribulations that often result from such antics gives one serious pause. Each one of those four stories showcases a different type of battle that professional wrestlers face, and they are all very interesting.
The Jake Roberts story is especially intriguing, as it portrays a man so deeply conflicted about his past, present, and future, that one wonders how a person could get so screwed up.
Overall, this is an incredible documentary that is well worth a watch if you have an interest in professional wrestling whatsoever. If you watched Rourke's "The Wrestler" and came away wanting something more, this little film will likely satisfy you.
For a basic summary of this documentary, it focuses on four primary areas:
1. The "independent" or "minor league" pro wrestling circuit conducted in gyms and town VFW's across the nation.
2. Jake "The Snake" Roberts, former WWE superstar, who now battles fierce demons (smoking, the bottle, crack, family troubles) just to stay alive.
3. Mick "Mankind" Foley, a man with an unnerving pain threshold that, while making it big, worries about the effects his punishment may have on his children.
4. Terry Funk, a wrestling lifer who reflects upon his career in an insane business...the ECW.
As a fan of professional wrestling (WWE in particular), this documentary really pulled at the heartstrings. Whereas the glitz, glamour, and pageantry all look great on screen, the horrors and tribulations that often result from such antics gives one serious pause. Each one of those four stories showcases a different type of battle that professional wrestlers face, and they are all very interesting.
The Jake Roberts story is especially intriguing, as it portrays a man so deeply conflicted about his past, present, and future, that one wonders how a person could get so screwed up.
Overall, this is an incredible documentary that is well worth a watch if you have an interest in professional wrestling whatsoever. If you watched Rourke's "The Wrestler" and came away wanting something more, this little film will likely satisfy you.
A good documentary, even with the "cheap heat"
jimmyvegas11 September 2002
At the surface, "Beyond The Mat" feels like a true labor of love by Barry Blaustein for the much-maligned and often snickered at "sport" of professional wrestling. His down-to-Earth portrayals of many of wrestling's top stars of yesterday and today are fascinating. But certain sequences (Jake Roberts' reunion with his daughter; Mick Foley's children at the infamous Royal Rumble match with The Rock) feel as if they cross some lines, giving the film a bit more of a "Hard Copy"-ish expose' spin than I would have liked. Still, the film gives an excellent look at just what these men put their minds and bodies through for their love of entertaining. A decent watch overall, but I recommend "Hitman Hart: Wrestling With Shadows" over this one.
Truly a film for film lovers!
apparitions2329 November 2000
I went into this movie not knowing what to expect. The wrestlers that were used in this film were of my time and some were my favorites. Questions were answered in this film that lay insignificantly upon my mind. However, the stories of all the old time wrestlers really changed my view on the wrestling business. The cut-throat exposition of this industry was perfecly depicted. The documentary style of the film truly explored in a cinematic way the emotions tied with such a ridiculed sport amongst what we call "civilized society". Watch this movie, even if you're not a wrestling fan, you will not forget it.
A must see Documentary Movie
amgee-8955125 August 2018
Great Documentary Movie. I totally recommend this to anyone who loves wrestling. It's a great insight behind the scenes and the wrestlers family life and they high and lows in the wrestling business. The Jake the snake Roberts life is heartbreaking to watch. I'm so glad his in a better place nowadays thanks to DDP. This wrestling documentary movie is as good as Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows Documentary.
Excellent Movie for Non-Wrestling Fans
mit_sauce31 January 2005
Although there are many other excellent wrestling movies out there, I found this one to be the most intriguing. I read a comment here that the viewer believed the movie to be a "McMahon" propaganda flick promoting the WWF, but I believe the film is only intended to prove to all people that wrestlers are, like you and me, human beings who endure extremely hard and intense physical labor. Wrestling fans will love it and those non fans out there who can't enjoy wrestling because "it's fake" will awaken to the fact that wrestling may be staged but by no means fake. Also, if you are a fan of Terry Funk, Mick Foley or Jake the Snake, then this a must watch movie. Although the movie does refer to all of the WWF, it focuses on these three wrestlers and their past and present careers. I was astonished to learn some of the facts about them and the entire wrestling organization in general. Enjoy.
Not Worth It For Non-Initiated
erasmus-419 March 2000
Not really being a big wrestling fan, I somehow got dragged into see this movie. For my money, it was kind of ho-hum. Most of the Mankind's family suffering story has already been broadcast on 20/20, where most fans I'm sure got to see it, and there's little new in that area. I did however appreciate how this movie tried to show wrestlers at all stages without being too obvious about it. You see young guys who haven't really proven themselves and most likely will not even get a chance, people just entering pro wrestling, established stars, those with careers on the decline, and just plain has-beens. I have to give it credit for not being a WCW mouthpiece, but I don't think it will win the sport any converts.
A great idea for a film, but manipulative for a doc.
sjpltd18 March 2000
The reaction of the wife seeing her husband getting injured near the end of the film felt staged or, at minimum, "helped along." This guy has wrestled for years and has been injured before. The filmmaker made it look like it was the first time she's ever seen it and that felt unnatural.
Also, the entire piece was shot on video. I wish distributors were forced to state that a film release was originally shot in low-res video (at least Blair Witch made that clear). One day everything we'll see in the theater will have been shot in hi-res video, but we're not there yet.
Also, the entire piece was shot on video. I wish distributors were forced to state that a film release was originally shot in low-res video (at least Blair Witch made that clear). One day everything we'll see in the theater will have been shot in hi-res video, but we're not there yet.
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