Beyond the Mat

Having spent the past 16 years as as wrestling fan, I have often been so caught up in the storylines and matches that I find myself forgetting that these aren't just characters in a real-life soap-opera; They're real people, with families, problems, hopes, & dreams, just like everybody else. Beyond The Mat has ensured that I will never forget that again. The premise of the Documentary is a simple one: Director Barry Blaustein would follow 3 Wrestlers, filming them both in & out of the ring. From this tried-&-true format comes an amazing glimpse into the inner workings of the Wrestling Biz. Blausteien follows Legendary Grappler Terry Funk, who is about to have his retirement match (He's since "retired" about 5 more times), Mick Foley, who at the time of filming was WWF Champion, and about to engage in one of the most sadistic matches in WWF History, his infamous "I Quit" match against The Rock at The Royal Rumble, and the troubled "Jake "The Snake" Roberts, whose toughest matches these days are his battles with drugs & his own demons. There are some truly unforgettable moments in this film for Wrestling fans. Who would have thought that Legendary Wildman Terry Funk was such a nice, soft-spoken family man? Who will ever forget Mick Foley's Wife and Children screaming in horror as he takes 11 brutal chairshots to his unprotected head fron The Rock? What long-time fan could not be horrified and saddened to see how far Jake Roberts has fallen...? There are also some great "Time Machine" moments, such as the brief glimpse of the pre-silicon Stephanie McMahon, and Stone Cold Steve Austin uttering waht may have been his first "What?". We also see the first WWF appearance of the unfortunate Droz, crippled in the ring shortly after the filming ended. The Director's Cut includes some new footage of Vince McMahon, surely one of the most loathsome "Human Beings", and I use that term loosely, on Earth. (I've never bought into the controversy about McMahon trying to keep Beyond The Mat from being released; as evidenced by Legendary Wrestler Bret "Hitman" Hart's struggles to liberate footage and stills of his WWF career from McMahon in recent years, McMahon rules WWF footage with an iron fist. Beyond The Mat uses extensive clips from the WWF archives, and McMahon would never have allowed that if he didn't approve of the film. There is also no mention whatsoever of WCW, The WWF's big rival at the time, another reason I believe that McMahon had more to do with the film than he wants you to believe.) The film is presented in full-frame, which drives me NUTS, but that's the only way it's available on DVD, so I guess it's better than nothing. Aside from Commentary tracks, there's not much in the way of extras.

Wasn’t sure if id like this movie but seeing as I’ve watched three times . It’s safe bet I do like it . It’s a interesting look at certain time in wrestling history.

I have always loved this movie since I watch it the 1st time and now I own it and it is digital it will not get damaged or scratched.

This is an entertaing documentary about what happens behind the scenes in pro-wrestling. Images like Mike Foley's kids watching his dad being hit with a chair are haunting but I think the most impressive storyline is the one about Jake 'The Snake' Roberts, once a great performer but now a washed-up wrestler who fights in front of small crows to make a living.I didn't get the tag line "This is the movie Vince McMahon don't want you to see" since he appear several times in the film and sometimes the script is kinda slow, but overall, is good, entertaining documentary.

let me say im a sucker for special features that said the special features are extra commentary jessie ventura and mick foley a q and a with jessie ventura and mick foley and commentary with terry funk this documentary takes a look inside pro wrestling at a time when pro wrestling was at its peak in 1999 rock vs mankind attitude era a look at the life of jake the snake roberts and a few other pro wrestlers i would have loved if this film caught a look into wcw as well since it has wwf and ecw

I really enjoy this documentary. But the photo and search results were for a special edition. This is just the regular, original documentary without the special features. That was disappointing as I have seen the regular version several times. Mick Foley and Jesse Ventura provide commentary on the bonus version. If you are looking for that version, please avoid this one.

Watching this for the first time in almost 15 years and it still holds up as one of the best wrestling documentaries ever!

The only negative I have about this disc is that it could have gone longer. It is an up close and personal look at the business and the people involved. If you love both the spectacular and the business of professional wrestling then this movie is for you. It lays bare the heart and soul of the people involved. It does something that Mr. Vince M. doesn't want you to know. It show just how human these characters are. I recommend this for all. Peace.

Ett måste för dig som gillar wrestling!

Please be advised this review does contain spoilers.As a fan of professional wrestling since the days of World Of Sport on a Saturday afternoon here in the UK, this documentary was always going to be of interest to me, and it was, expanding further on what I knew about professional wrestling while also seeing the resulting injuries collected by these athletes in the name of entertainment.Directed and narrated by Barry Blaustein, a self confessed huge wrestling fan this documentary takes you behind the scenes of professional wrestling, showing you a variety of wrestlers from those starting off in the industry in small locally run wrestling promotions(I believe the guy was called Mike Modest), Matt "Spike Dudley" Hyson then of ECW making a name for himself in a minor national promotion, to big names such as Mick Foley (at the top of the industry), Terry Funk (considering retirement after many years in the industry) to those for whom life as not been so good, it takes you behind the scenes to the parts of wrestling no fan usually gets to see.It has to be said that parts of this film are uncomfortable to watch especially the scenes where the young children of Mick Foley become very upset watching at ringside during his no-disqualification match with The Rock, and the fraught relationship between Jake Roberts and his daughter. There are also a few humorous moments too but they are few are far between and naturally so, as this is a documentary about a industry where it's workers pay a heavy toll on their bodies and lives while doing their jobs.Over I would rate this as one of the best wrestling related documentaries I have seen. I know someone did mention the fact that it had been said that parts involving Jake Roberts had been staged, although you would not really know if this is true or not I guess on face value it has to be assumed that the documentary is a factual piece of work and nothing within it has been set-up or pre-scripted for added effect.

A documentragicomedy (my own word;feel free to use it). I haven’t been a fan of professional wrestling since the days of Haystack Calhoun,but I’m always up for an expose.I’m not going to tell you anything about the movie except that it’s a behind the scenes look at the seamy underbelly of a gritty world you may not want to know all about (especially if you’re-incomprehensibly to me-an aficionado of the “sport “).An excellent,brilliantly acted and entirely believable Mickey Roarke movie explores the life in deeper detail.And for those who may be interested in such things (like me), a further revelation is of Marissa Thomais surprisingly spectacular body.Please excuse any spelling mistakes of names.

Great documentary that goes behind the scenes plus the hardships and dark side that goes along with the spectacle that is pro wrestling and the many sacrifices that go with it.Recommended to any and all fans of the squared circle.

A must buy if your a wrestling fan. Shows you behind the scenes of the wwf with most of the DVD being with mock foley, terry funk or jake 'the snake' Roberts. Very enjoyable to watch could watch over and over again