Amazon.com essential video: Arnold Schwarzenegger works the crowds, plots strategies for defeating multiple opponents, shares his parents' values with the press, and inspires legions of admirers with his resolute optimism about the future. And all of this long before he decided to run for governor of California, in 1977's hit documentary, Pumping Iron. Larger than life, though not necessarily larger than his rivals for the Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia bodybuilding titles (especially a young Lou Ferrigno, hot on Arnold's competitive trail but much less interesting), Schwarzenegger still comes across, at age 28, as a consummate politician, smart, likable, and crafty about exploiting others' psychological weaknesses. The film still feels redundant (there's only so much beefcake the human eye will tolerate), but the emotional dramas--the unrewarded hard work, the unanswered hopes--are compelling. Complete with a revealing 2003 interview with Schwarzenegger and a reunion of the film's bodybuilders and director. --Tom Keogh
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - steroids!
just s bunch of cheating, juiced up, meatheads lifting weights and talking about it. I could go to a Golds Gym and get the same experience.
Rating: - Arnold in Bestform
I'm a very big fan from Arnold Schwarzenegger and I have most of his films. It's a fantastic career he has made. And Pumping Iron is a fantastic review of his Bodybuilding carrer to see him in his bestform.
I can recommend everybody to buy this film who like Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Daniel Mrohs
Rating: - An early peek at The Ahh-nold, Pre-Governator Model
Long before "Eye vant to pump you up..." became a Hans and Franz Saturday Night Live catchphrase, before the pump was a feature of Reebok running shoes, there was Arnold Schwarzenegger's orgiastic tribute to the sensation of muscular blood-engorgement.
"Pumping Iron" is a late 1970's documentary of bodybuilding subculture and the competitive hothouse leading up to the Mr. Olympia Competition of 1975. Its macro focus is hijacked somewhat by the larger than life muscles and personality of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
At this level, all of the bodybuilders have incredible ... Read More
Rating: - This will get you ripped
This DVD motivated the HELL out of me to get my body right. I watched the DVD and bought his book the Encylopedia of Bodybuilding along with Steeve Reeves book and Franco Columbo's book. I studied and learned the principles and watched what they did and applied it in my life and it really helped me. I went from 172lbs to 206 lbs solid muscle, and right now im pretty jacked, trying to get to 215. Get the DVD and you will be really motivated!
Rating: - AWESOME!
Awesome movie now im only 16 but this movie is really inspiring and when i got it in the first few days i watched it 3 times. The fact that they made Ken Waller look like the bad guy was funny and the scene with Mike Katz with his son and daughter was funny comparing his son to him now. Great movie and very accurate to a point. =)
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