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Barry W. Blaustein, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Terry Funk, Vince McMahon, Mick Foley ... see more see more... , Joanie "Chyna" Laurer , Darren Drozdov , Jesse Ventura , Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson , Tony Jones

In a rare foray into documentary filmmaking, Ron Howard and Brian Grazer's Imagine Entertainment produced this behind-the-scenes look at professional wrestling, shot on digital video by director (Barr... read more read more...y W. Blaustein), screenwriter of several hit Eddie Murphy comedies. An unabashed wrestling fan since childhood, Blaustein nevertheless takes an unflinching look at the dark underbelly of the "sport," as he shadows a trio of wrestlers representing three very different aspects of the profession. Mick Foley is a superstar shown to be the complete opposite of "Mankind," his successful wrestling character. At work, Mankind is a bloodthirsty animal, but when his mask is off, he's a loving, doting father clearly worshipped by his two young kids, who are traumatized when they witness Foley being bloodied at an Anaheim, California, event. Terry Funk is a portrait of what Foley could become, a former legend now at the end of his career and in desperate need of knee surgery, but continuing to perform dangerous stunts in the ring. Jake "The Snake" Roberts, on the other hand, travels in second-class wrestling circles, a recovering drug addict who has a painful reconciliation with his daughter. Blaustein also interviews the World Wrestling Federation's boastful bigwig Vince McMahon. McMahon later tried to block the release and promotion of the film. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Flixster Users

79% liked it

7,935 ratings

Critics

82% liked it

66 critics

R, 1 hr. 42 min.

Directed by: Barry Blaustein

Release Date: October 22, 1999

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DVD Release Date: August 22, 2000

Stats: 523 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (523)

  • YosemiteSamFan
    August 4, 2007
    YosemiteSamFan
    A gritty and interesting look at life behind the wrestling scenes.
  • Tss807
    May 7, 2012
    Tss807
    Adult professional wrestling fans aren't stupid, we know wrestling is fake and the outcomes are pre-determined. What none fans don't realize is why we like it. It's the drama, the pageantry, the cheesy stories, the costumes, and most of all the action. Yes, it's pre-determined an... read mored choreographed, but you still need to be charismatic and athletic, and night after night these guys put their bodies on the line just for our entertainment. People have been killed and paralyzed doing this, so to anyone who says it's not real and takes no skill, I point to this documentary. Beyond The Mat looks into the lives of these guys outside the ring and show the ancient Terry Funk, whose body has been ravaged from years in the ring. He can barely walk anymore, but still has to get in there and has to do this because it's all he knows and what he loves. Jake "The Snake" Roberts is also featured and he talks about how eight years on the road with WWE and how it made him a neglectful father, a bad husband, and a drug addict. Roberts says between the pain and the constant moving around he could never have done it without drugs! Finally, they look at Mick Foley AKA Mankind, Dude Love, Cactus Jack and show how he's this normal family man and while his family knows it's for show, how much they worry. In the last 30 years, hundreds of pro-wrestlers have died under the age of 45, most of them due to the physical trauma they've put their bodies through or the dependence on drugs that has resulted from it. If those were NFL or MLB stars instead, there would be massive reform and congressional intervention, but the truth is no one cares about these guys, except of course their families, friends, and fans. Beyond The Mat is important because it shows just what these guys put on the line and just how little the people at the top care.
  • lesleyanorton
    January 3, 2010
    lesleyanorton
    If you liked The Wrestler, you'll like this documentary because its the same story yet its all true. And if you like wrestling, you'll like this documentary because its got lots of wrestlers and lots of wrestling in it. And if you hate wrestling, you'll like this documentary beca... read moreuse it shows you exactly why you hate wrestling so very much.
  • BlueTorch
    May 21, 2006
    BlueTorch
    There's something here for both fans and non-fans. Both a study of the wrestling business and an intriguing human character protrayal.
  • cacutshaw
    February 8, 2008
    cacutshaw
    As a fan of wrestling, I found this doc incredible. It's a fascinating look into the folks who chose to wrestle for a living and their trials and tribulations. I've recommended this to people who hate wrestling and they've enjoyed it as well.
  • canadagraphs
    August 7, 2006
    canadagraphs
    after seeing this I REALLLY wish Mick would stay retired. Not because I dont enjoy his entertainment, but becaus eI truly believe it would bebest for HIM.
  • Raider34r
    June 2, 2011
    Raider34r
    Next to " Wrestling with Shadows" this is best pro wrestling documentary that I have seen. It 's pretty emotional at times, from the scenes with Mick Foley, to Terry Funk and the disturbing story of Jake Roberts, you get to see a glimpse of what pro wrestlers go through behind th... read moree scenes, it's no wonder nowadays, a lot of them drop dead like flies.

    This wasn't produced or censored by any wrestling company, so the truth comes out. Watch it even if you don't like wrestling. I used to watch it when I was younger and I learned a couple of things here and here. Overall its a well made documentary
  • mkvalentin
    June 2, 2011
    mkvalentin
    It's an interesting look into the world of professional wrestling. I really enjoyed the juxtaposition of promoter and wrestler and see the different view they had. The Jake the Snake bits were intense. One problem I had was misplacement of "Stand By Me" music. It felt awkward. Al... read moreso, the documentary didn't feel like it had a strong conclusion, bit of a problem on the narrators part. Overall, good watch.
  • theSwitchbladeSister
    May 8, 2011
    theSwitchbladeSister
    Although there are some questionable choices as far as editing is concerned, Beyond the Mat is, overall, a very well put-together documentary. It is clear that it was created by a fan of wrestling and it approaches the subject with a certain degree of respect, but the thing Beyo... read morend the Mat should most be commended for is its ability to portray the darker side of this business. It is heart-wrenching to watch former stars as they struggle with trying to maintain a normal life outside of the industry and face their own demons (Jake Roberts, in particular, is just fascinating to watch). It isn't all gloom and doom, however, as specifically the moments highlighting Mick Foley's life and his family are particularly touching. Blaustein manages to humanize the business by showing the efforts of a number of smaller, indie federations just as he manages to humanize these superstars. A very satisfying watch overall.
  • BantamDraper
    April 17, 2010
    BantamDraper
    A nice documentary following some wrestlers and seeing what wrestling has done for their lives. There are some seriously heartbreaking parts and a very disturbing part with Jake the Snake. This is a very revealing doc.

View All Beyond the Mat Reviews

Critic Reviews

Lisa Alspector
March 23, 2007
Lisa Alspector, Chicago Reader

Documentaries are almost always more interesting if the filmmakers fess up about their relationship to the subject, as unabashed pro-wrestling fan Barry Blaustein does in this naively made, compelling... Full Review

Robert Koehler
March 23, 2007
Robert Koehler, Variety

A gently and genuinely observed film whose subject is a garish, artificial display of mayhem. Full Review

Liam Lacey
March 19, 2002
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

Entertaining and twisted. Full Review

Jan Stuart
January 1, 2000
Jan Stuart, Newsday

Blaustein's documentary about championship wrestling is as voyeuristic, artificial and perversely compelling as the sport itself.

Elvis Mitchell
January 1, 2000
Elvis Mitchell, New York Times

Beyond the Mat wants to blend thrills and pathos, getting at the many sides of what is, as Mr. Blau stein describes it, a carny act. The problem is that he doesn't articulate any of his own thoughts b... Full Review

Peter Stack
January 1, 2000
Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle

Beyond the Mat is crazily entertaining. Full Review

Michael Atkinson
January 1, 2000
Michael Atkinson, Village Voice

Blaustein suggests wrestling's appeal -- as a kind of primal spectacle closer to parades and pageants than any accepted form of sport -- without wondering at all why he finds it compelling. Full Review

Steven Rosen
January 1, 2000
Steven Rosen, Denver Post

Beyond the Mat transcends its subject, pro wrestling, to become a wrenching, sobering, emotional glimpse at the lives of some men trapped by the aging process. Full Review

Robert Horton
January 1, 2000
Robert Horton, Film.com

The rampant hucksterism of big-time wrestling is in a long American tradition, and Beyond the Mat is a very smart first step in opening the subject up to clearer view.

Jay Carr
January 1, 2000
Jay Carr, Boston Globe

Beyond the Mat does what the wrestling game, with its manufactured personas, doesn't. It stays with the wrestlers until we start seeing them as people.

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