Better Wrestling Documentary?

[Deezy]

Which was a better documentary?

Beyond the Mat is a 1999 documentary directed by Barry W. Blaustein. The movie focuses on the lives of professional wrestlers outside of the ring, primarily Mick Foley, Terry Funk, and Jake Roberts, as well as some aspiring wrestlers. It heavily focuses on the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), and follows Extreme Championship Wrestling during its rise in popularity and many other independent wrestlers and organizations.

Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows is a documentary film which follows World Wrestling Federation superstar Bret Hart during his last year in the WWF, from his WWF Championship victory at SummerSlam to his final match with the company at Survivor Series on November 9, 1997.

 

[Keith]

Its tough for me to vote because I still have not seen Beyord The Mat, I hear lots of good things about it, but out of the two have just seen Wrestling with Shadows which I really liked, but I will wait and see the other film before I vote.

 

[Dod Draper]

Had to go with Beyond the Mat, since I've never seen the Bret Hart one.

It highlights the reality of wrestling for too many. Surely the inspiration for The Wrestler?

 

[Keith]

Yes the Wrestler that great film right deezy?

 

[Deezy]

Don't see how this inspired The Wrestler, since Randy The Ram wasn't a crackhead. Also Jake got paid for his small shows.

 

[Dod Draper]

Not directly, but elements of the film will have been.

 

[TheGoldStandard]

I've seen both and I have to go with Beyond the Mat. It was a nice backstage look at many wrestling companies. It was also really cool to see the backstage stuff with Rock/Mankind following their Royal Rumble I Quit Match.

 

[Deezy]

Not directly, but elements of the film will have been.

So was Rocky Balboa, but atleast that was a good movie, anyways I only responded because because this Keith guy seems hell bent on proving me wrong at everything, which is fine by me since I'm never wrong and he will find this out one day.

 

[Keith]

The Wrestlers a great film, which people with taste already know deezy

 

[Deezy]

The Wrestlers a great film, which people with taste already know deezy

Only wrestling fans think it's a great movie, others see it for what it is. A loser who can't let go of the past.

 

[Keith]

1. Your a wrestling fan, so that statement makes no sense.
2. The fact Rourke won a number of awards, and the film had sucess at the box Office I think suggests than it was more than just wrestling fans that it appealed to.

 

[Deezy]

1. I'm a wrestling fan, but I don't go and seek out and mark for anything that is wrestling related.
2. It was more about Rourke making his comeback. Which was the basic focal point of then entire marketing and oscar campaign. If the move was so damn special, it would've gotten a best movie and best director nod.

 

[Keith]

You are really clutching at straws now. I'm a wrestling fan who doesn't mark out for everything wrestling related, thing is films is another one of my great passions, so my view on the wrestler is based on weather it worked as a film.

And since when has a film winning best film and best director at the Oscars been a sign of greatness? I never said it was special just a very good film, which it is.

 

[Troy]

Unfortunately I haven't been able to find Wrestling With Shadows in Australia so I haven't seen it. I have seen Beyond The Mat and I really enjoy it. What makes it special is that it is clear Barry Blaustein is a wrestling fan and not just some journalist that wants to expose the industry. The three main stories flow well together and it is interesting looking back on it every now and then.

 

[Keith]

Yeah I look forward to it, I did have a copy once, but it was nicked (No not by Vince Mcmahon!), so still have not watched it.