Beyond the Mat (1999)

82% of critics liked it
(66 reviews)
79% of users liked it
(7,935 ratings)

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 (Barry W. Blaustein), screenwriter of several hit Eddie Murphy comedies. An unabashed wrestling fan since… More 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 (Barry 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

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Barry Blaustein
Genres: Documentary, Sports & Fitness, Special Interest

In Theaters: Oct 22, 1999 Wide
On DVD: Aug 22, 2000
Studio: Lions Gate Films

Critic Reviews

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 homage to the sport.
Robert Koehler, Variety
A gently and genuinely observed film whose subject is a garish, artificial display of mayhem.
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
Entertaining and twisted.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
It has a hypnotic quality.
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
Sometimes, you find material for a good movie in the most unlikely place.
Peter Rainer, New York Magazine
The wrestlers are cannier than Blaustein probably gives them credit for; they seem to be offering up their backstage lives to him in ways that mimic the soppiest of melodramas, and he falls for it.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
WWF documentary is OK for older teens.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Am engrossing watch, but it's far from the most fascinating and incisive look at its subject.
Richard Luck, Film4
Blaustein, Foley and Funk layeth the smack well and truly down.
, Time Out
We tour the All-Pro Wrestling School in California and Philadelphia's fearsome Extreme Championships, but it's the studies Blaustein makes of several wrestlers that root the film.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
A very good film that both wrestling fans and non-wrestling fans will enjoy.
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
Barry Blaustein takes a long, hard look at pro wrestling and, while not making me a newborn fan of the sport, he taught me the intensity and sacrifice of those who enter the ring.
Jeanne Aufmuth, Palo Alto Weekly
A hilarious and heartbreaking documentary.
Merle Bertrand, Film Threat
Surprisingly riveting.
Fiona Morrow, Sight and Sound
Unfortunately Blaustein isn't an experienced enough film-maker to make much of such material.
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
...an easygoing, straightforward film without too many surprises
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
turns out to be less interested in the cartoonish brutality of pro wrestling than it is with the lives of the people who make their living in the ring.
Tom Block, culturevulture.net
Blaustein and his film have at least put a human face on those monstrous countenances that snarl out from our television sets on Saturday afternoons.
Chuck Rudolph, Matinee Magazine
The real meat of the movie comes in the many intimate moments that Blaustein's camera catches.
Gemma Tarlach, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The film is sometimes riveting -- and sometimes hard to watch.

Read all 21 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lafe F

A gritty and interesting look at life behind the wrestling scenes.
Todd S

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… More
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 and 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.
Lesley N

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… More
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 because it shows you exactly why you hate wrestling so very much.
Curt C

There's something here for both fans and non-fans. Both a study of the wrestling business and an intriguing human character protrayal.
Christopher B

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.
Mr. C

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.