Documentary Film Review
Pumping Iron by Robert Fiore & George Butler – 1977
Old reels begin the opening credits showcasing body builders with average physiques flexing unimpressive muscles. We segue from vaudevillian sideshow to crowds cheering during a “1975” competition for the modern bodybuilder. Arnold Schwarzenegger & Italian, Franco Columbu, train to enhance their posing skills and improve fluid mobility through ballet.
The story telling offers bodybuilding as an art, not to be confused with the mockery of the images shown in the opening credits. These are athletes in the purest form.
Graphics & sound design are more sophisticated. The exposition has been beautifully laid before us. Weight lifters sweat and grunt salutations welcoming Schwarzenegger as he enters Gold’s Gym located in Venice, CA. This is “the” facility for those serious about training for the amateur title of Mr. Universe and the professional title, Mr. Olympia. Arnold is a celebrity here. He’s won both of these titles, multiple times. The training is intense and focused. Schwarzenegger is serious and ruthless. We enter his life, his photo shoots, his training methods, etc. Various bodybuilders are introduced. We’re invited into their homes and everyday lives as we watch their training and progress. We see how they push forward to compete for the titles they desire. We see them jockey for position. We watch them maneuver to psyche each other out and we see Arnold, smug and self–satisfied, a master at the game.
The train is established – who will win the competition? The characters are emotionally compelling, the opponents are worthy and the interest in knowing what happens next continues to intensify.
Introduced are Americans Mike Katz and Ken Waller. They are competing for the title of Mr. Universe in South Africa. In their moments of truth, Katz’s story offers a creepy subtext of the boy who was bullied. He found that bodybuilding gave him recognition and self-esteem. Waller’s behavior is juvenile and mean spirited, similar to that which drove Katz to the gym in the first place. Waller takes 1st place with 2nd and 3rd awarded to other contenders. Katz takes the loss hard, but remains a good sport and congratulates Waller on his win. Katz was 4th place contender.
The point of attack occurs with the competition for Mr. Olympia. Arnold has been jerking around and is overconfident. The guys razz him about a 6’5,” 270LB contender named Lou Ferrigno, training on the east coast. Lou isn’t part of the California body builder mix, and for now, is away from the California “head games.” Lou’s father is his personal trainer; the family supports his goals and they are very serious about beating Schwarzenegger. Italian, Franco Columbu is also competing for the Mr. Olympia title.
Arnold realizes he needs focused hard training to retain the arrogant boasting rights he’s earned. He trains with the guys at Gold’s Gym and with Franco Columbu. He talks openly about psyching out Lou and if it comes to it, undermining his friend Franco as well.
At the competition, Arnold invites Team Ferrigno to breakfast and behaves in a fashion of jovial seriousness mixed with psyche out messages. The Ferrigno family behaved with grace. Arnold seems worried. The competition begins with Schwarzenegger, Ferrigno and an entry from France, Serge Nubret.
The winners of the 1975 Mr. Olympia competition in Pretoria, South Africa are none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger in the over 200LB category and Franco Columbu in the under 200LB category – the same two featured during ballet lessons at the beginning of the film – very clever Mr. Fiore & Butler! Arnold is still #1 and Lou who placed 3rd is empowered to train harder. Arnold announces his retirement.
The film ends with team Ferrigno and Schwarzenegger on a bus talking about Arnold coming to their house for dinner and possibly dating Lou’s sister.
The story is voiced through the bodybuilders with very minimally used narration. It is a narrative story structure with a beginning, middle and end. While I wouldn’t classify myself as the target audience, this film captured my attention and really worked on multiple levels.
Renee Berberian