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Beyond the Mat

Beyond the Mat

List Price: $29.98
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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Entertaining and Eye Opening
Review: I enjoy watching professional wrestling but by no means would I consider myself a fanatic. My opinion has always been that professional wrestling is just another form of theatrics, captivating a large audience by displaying these "super-human" athletes doing battle for just and unjust causes.

Beyond the Mat opened my eyes to a whole different world that lives behind the scenes of professional wrestling. It provides a series of mini-biographies on the careers of several diverse wrestlers including the ageless Terry Funk, Jake "the Snake" Roberts, Michael Foley ("Mankind"), and a look at several of the professional circuits and the people who run them.

Beyond the Mat sheds light on some of the common problems that plague all types of professionals in the entertainment business. Jake Roberts is shown struggling with his substance abuse problems as well as trying to mend a broken relationship with his daughter. Very captivating scenes that goes far beyond the bash and smash that takes place inside the wrestling ring.

The movie also follows active wrestler Mankind and the toll that the business not only takes on him physically but the mental anguish that affects his children and his wife. Again, very touching and another side of the business fans would never have seen if it was not for this film.

Overall, I think this documentary has enough qualities to appeal to not just the average wrestling fan but to those who are interested in understanding the lifestyles of professional entertainers such as the athletes in professional wrestling.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Best Wrestling Documentary Around
Review: I Thought Beyond The Mat Was a great inside look into the world of pro wrestling especially Jake The Snake Roberts I Recommend this film to any wrestling fan

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Wrestling at its best
Review: All i can say about this video is, WOW. It has everything, commentary, reviews, in depth stories. the only problem, is it is to focused on Jake The Snake Roberts and Terry Funk. Nobody cares about them that much. I would have liked to see more insight to the Rock vs. Mankind Royal Rumble 1999 I Quit Match. That was interesting, but WAY too. Short. This movie is a MUST SEE

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: What a GREAT documentary!
Review: Beyond the Mat is a documentary of professional wrestling. It shows behind the scenes footage and lives of wrestlers. People from independent wrestling organizations to Extreme Championship Wrestling to the greater then all World Wrestling Federation (sorry Turner, no World Championship Wrestling in this movie!). It was great because it was non-biased. It's cool to see wrestlers at ease behind stage. Talking and hanging around with one another knowing that they have to wrestle each other in a few minutes! The movie has some footage of Vince McMahon, owner of the WWF. It proves once and for all that he is "THE MAN", and that he can make you or break you in the industry. The movie focused on the lives of 3 wrestlers, Terry Funk (now 56, has retired and come back as much as Ozzy!), the once famous Superstar Jake "The Snake" Roberts and Mick Foley (aka Cactus Jack, Mankind, Dude Love). I don't want to spoil the movie by going over their lives. I'll tell you one thing though, the shocker for me was Jake the Snake! Once the biggest star of the WWF, now turned into a has-been crack addict. Wow, what a story! That's just a part of his life, you should see the rest of it, it's pretty sad! The documentary also talks about the struggles of trying to become a pro wrestler, pretty much getting payed nothing. You have people that work as an airline mechanic, a kindergarden teacher etc. It's a great movie, even if your not a fan of professional wrestling. This is one of the best documentaries that I've ever seen.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: "The Real World " W.W.F. style.
Review: I have been a fan of wrestling and the WWF since the early eighties and in all that time, in all those years of hero worship; I never once stoped to consider "Who are these men, realy?" If you ever wanted to know, this is the DVD for you. You will NEVER look at wrestling the same. The comentaries are all good, but my favorite is Mick Folies,his is both touching and funny. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A FAN OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING TO APPRICATE THIS MOVIE!This graphic drama is not for the faint of heart, but I beleave even people who are not fans will be moved by Jake Roberts amitted battle with several addictions and Mick Foilies strugle to balance family and his profession. I will be haunted by images from this film forever.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A Good Attempt...
Review: First off, let me start by saying that I am a huge wrestling fan. I watch all three major federations on a regular basis and I can honestly say, who still cares about Terry Funk? Don't get me wrong, the guy is a hardcore legend but why devote a whole movie to him when there are so many other more interesting wrestlers. Don't be fooled by the cover either, The Rock is only in BTM for a total of five minutes and Steve Austin is barely shown in passing. The Mick Foley segments are OK and everyone who follows wrestling on a regular basis already knows that Foley has taken some serious bumps and is starting to pay the consequences. BTM is more for people who are casual fans, people who didn't know that Foley got thrown off the top of the Hell in a Cell by the Undertaker or got his ear ripped off doing a hangman stunt. By far the most interesting of the interview segments deal with Jake "The Snake" Roberts who since vanishing from the wrestling scene has delved deep into the dark underworld of drug abuse. These scenes are shocking and saddening, as when Jake states that the only way he will wrestle for an unspecified independent promoter is if they supply him with crack cocaine. BTM is a good attempt at capturing the lives of pro wrestlers outside of the ring, but it is way too cynical for my tastes. Blaustein should have balanced the film more by the showing the enormous success and luxury that some wrestlers can attain, guys like Chris Jericho, Steve Austin, Triple H, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Bill Goldberg. Overall, BTM is worth a viewing just don't expect to be too shocked.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent Movie
Review: This is the most realistic documentary I have ever seen. Everything about it is absolutely amazing. If you are a wrestling fan, or even if you ever watched once, this is a movie you must see.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: For fans and non fans alike
Review: This is a very good movie that I recremend especially for all of the non-wrestling fans who want to know what all of the talk is about. Even as a wrestling fan myself, I respect the wrestlers more for all of the hard work that they do to keep people like me glued to the television set and keep comming to the events: major and minor leagues alike. On the flip side it shows the price that they pay to keep us glued to the tv. All I can do is give them more respect and honor as they risk their neck for our cheers.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Best Documentary Ever
Review: If you want to know the real deal behind professional wrestling as well as experience an awesome documentary at the same time, then this is your video...bar none. This is a definite pick-up.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A POWERFUL, RIVETING documentary
Review: With wrestling still at a high degree of popularity in 2000, it's almost a letdown that someone would want to see what everything is like backstage and out of the TV camera's way. But this documentary will NOT be a letdown for anybody who really is intrigued by a form of entertainment that attracts millions of people to their TV sets every week.

There is stuff that you can't believe you would see, and stuff that you just can't bear to see. Something for everybody, from the blood-guts-and-violence fan to the psychology/intellectual fan. This film does NOT condesecend. This film will NOT expose any untold, revealing secrets about the business... this film will tell you just exactly what professional wrestling is about.

You just might not look at a wrestling event the same way again. You might get a greater appreciation of this spectacle after watching this film. I highly, HIGHLY recommend that people watch this film. It is a wonderful, respectful documentary of a popular, if somewhat unusual, subject.


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