Rating: 
Summary: Glory Days Remembered
Review: Lynn from Chicago was way off on saying women's bodybuilding
was in it's infancy in 1985.
1985 was the middle of the glory years.
Rachel had already won Ms.Olympia title several times.
Kike Eloma won one, and Carla Dunlap was an
Olympian. Cory Everson was on to her 2 title win in
1985. Late 70's to 1990 was the very best of female
bodybuilding. What it was will be greatly missed.
This film documents the beginning of the end of women's
bodybuilding. Sad thing to watch, but worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Glory Days Remembered
Review: Please HELP!!!!!!I am desperately looking for the soundtrack of "Pumping Iron II, The Women"-------I've looked everywhere. Thanks. Donna
Rating:
Summary: Great Music
Review: Please HELP!!!!!! I am desperately looking for the soundtrack of "Pumping Iron II, The Women"-------I've looked everywhere. Thanks. Donna
Rating:
Summary: Rachel McLish or Bev Francis? You at home decide
Review: This documentary is much more than a flip side sequel to the 1976 film "Pumping Iron" which featured Arnold Schwarzenegger. In fact, you do not even need to have seen the first one to be absolutely absorbed in watching this one. "Pumping Iron II: The Women" centers on a major question that cuts to the heart of female bodybuilding: What should a female bodybuilder look like? This is not a frivolous question, because even though you would have thought the star of this show was going to be sexpot Rachel McLish, at the heart of this film is Bev Francis, a bodybuilder from Australia. The problem is quite simple: Bev's body looks like a man's. There is not a doubt in the world that her muscles are bigger than any other woman's in the competition; it is not even close. But in the minds of the judges--not to mention the other competitors, the sponsors, and the fans--that might not be enough. After all, the sport of bodybuilding is about physical appearance. By being at the right place at the right time, this film raises some fascinating questions about the criteria that defines this sport (and its ultimate social implications), all of which are debated rather explicitly in this documentary. The suspense builds throughout the film becoming absolutely palatable as we await the final decision of the judges. We have all seen way too many dramatic films where the suspense is not as keen as there is in "Pumping Iron II." You cannot help but be involved, figuring out where you stand on these issues and how you would cast your vote.
Rating:
Summary: Rachel McLish or Bev Francis? You at home decide
Review: This documentary is much more than a flip side sequel to the 1976 film "Pumping Iron" which featured Arnold Schwarzenegger. In fact, you do not even need to have seen the first one to be absolutely absorbed in watching this one. "Pumping Iron II: The Women" centers on a major question that cuts to the heart of female bodybuilding: What should a female bodybuilder look like? This is not a frivolous question, because even though you would have thought the star of this show was going to be sexpot Rachel McLish, at the heart of this film is Bev Francis, a bodybuilder from Australia. The problem is quite simple: Bev's body looks like a man's. There is not a doubt in the world that her muscles are bigger than any other woman's in the competition; it is not even close. But in the minds of the judges--not to mention the other competitors, the sponsors, and the fans--that might not be enough. After all, the sport of bodybuilding is about physical appearance. By being at the right place at the right time, this film raises some fascinating questions about the criteria that defines this sport (and its ultimate social implications), all of which are debated rather explicitly in this documentary. The suspense builds throughout the film becoming absolutely palatable as we await the final decision of the judges. We have all seen way too many dramatic films where the suspense is not as keen as there is in "Pumping Iron II." You cannot help but be involved, figuring out where you stand on these issues and how you would cast your vote.
Rating:
Summary: Rachel McLish or Bev Francis? You at home decide
Review: This documentary is much more than a flip side sequel to the 1976 film "Pumping Iron" which featured Arnold Schwarzenegger. In fact, you do not even need to have seen the first one to be absolutely absorbed in watching this one. "Pumping Iron II: The Women" centers on a major question that cuts to the heart of female bodybuilding: What should a female bodybuilder look like? This is not a frivolous question, because even though you would have thought the star of this show was going to be sexpot Rachel McLish, at the heart of this film is Bev Francis, a bodybuilder from Australia. The problem is quite simple: Bev's body looks like a man's. There is not a doubt in the world that her muscles are bigger than any other woman's in the competition; it is not even close. But in the minds of the judges--not to mention the other competitors, the sponsors, and the fans--that might not be enough. After all, the sport of bodybuilding is about physical appearance. By being at the right place at the right time, this film raises some fascinating questions about the criteria that defines this sport (and its ultimate social implications), all of which are debated rather explicitly in this documentary. The suspense builds throughout the film becoming absolutely palatable as we await the final decision of the judges. We have all seen way too many dramatic films where the suspense is not as keen as there is in "Pumping Iron II." You cannot help but be involved, figuring out where you stand on these issues and how you would cast your vote.
Rating: 
Summary: a contraversial movie that raises a lot of women's issues.
Review: This is a response to the person saying that the judges were politically correct, Excuse me...the movie is a disscussing a very deep and contraversial issue. It is not about women's body but the way society draws the line for women. Unless you think you know where to draw that line, then you don't need to watch that movie or to learn anything as a matter of fact. A very deep, heartfelt movie that is briliantely put together to disscuss a good argument, not for the male chauvinists, though!!! I am sorry that there are people who still think this way.
Rating:
Summary: Historic and fun
Review: This short documentary explores the world of competitive female bodybuilding during the early 1980's. This film is true to the era with heavy makeup, spandex, bad hair and a moonwalk included during a posing routine. The film ponders the the level of acceptable muscularity that a woman should posess and examines the judging of a competitor who at the time was bigger than any other woman who ever stood on the competitive stage -- Australian power lifter Bev Francis. By current standards, Bev would fit right in and might actually be on the small side as compared to other female professional bodybuilders, but by 1983's standards, she was considered a freak. Neither the judges nor the competitors could come to a consensus about the ideal. The first Ms. Olympia Rachel McLish was more along the lines of what the public expected of female bodybuilders -- sleek, with some definition and feminine. McLish and the others look more like today's fitness competitors. Carla Dunlap had considerable size, but was still smaller than Francis who she said "Has muscularity that most men would envy." Female bodybuilding is still a fringe activity, and this film shows some of what the pioneers endured in the early days. And much like today, the officials and trainers are mostly male. I enjoyed this movie for its camp value, but it's also a nice history lesson for female physique competitors.
Rating: 
Summary: If you like female muscle, this is your movie.
Review: Trying to ride on the coat tails of the original Puming Iron, "The Women" just don't come through. Where the first film had an honest quality about it the new one appears stiff. Mainly, the women are all trying to become the female version of "Arnold". If you enjoy females whose only talent is being in awesome physical shape, then this is your movie. However, if you were hoping to see some depth, well, you just took a nose dive into the shallow end of the pool. The women are "competing" in a "sport" with no strict rules. In the end the, the judges are politically correct. I think you would enjoy the series of movies "Iron Eagles" better. You still get to see Rachel McLish and you get some entertainment, too.
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