Jeff Towne revisited four years after the release of the original film.
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Documentary film about Tony Halme, masculinity and populism. The film follows how Tony Halme created a mythical, highly masculine freestyle wrestling character, The Viking, who gained fame both in the ring and in the public eye and eventually became captivated by it. With his brash speeches, Halme fired the starting shot for the rise of the Finns Party. The voice of a forgotten section of the population, a protest against the ruling elite, were the building blocks of Halme's popularity. Halme's great popularity has served as a good example of a populist figure, admired within the deep ranks of the nation, who comes from outside the political elite and changes the direction of politics. Also, despite - or perhaps because of - his openly racist statements, he was part of changing the political climate in Finland to a more acrimonious one.
10 years before the debut of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In 1979, Bill Viola and Frank Caliguri dreamed up a contest pitting barroom bigmouths against wrestlers, martial artists, boxers, bouncers and brawlers, billed as no-holds-barred new type of competitive fighting. When the fights succeeded beyond their wildest expectations, they were swept up in a chain of events that ended in the first mixed-martial arts ban in the nation. “Tough Guys” chronicles the inception of Caliguri and Viola’s first bouts and the colorful, crazy cast of fighters who made them a hit as well as the politicians who brought it all crashing down. The film brings to life a moment when the national martial arts craze was building to a crescendo as the economies of Pennsylvania steel towns were plummeting to levels of unemployment never seen, breeding desperate men looking for a chance to prove their worth and make some money in the ring.
He’s the Shaman of Sexy, the Friday Night Delight. John Morrison is one of WWE’s best and brightest rising stars, having held numerous tag team championships, first as part of MNM and then with The Miz. He’s also had great solo success, earning the ECW and Intercontinental championships. The DVD is packed with a revealing 1-hour documentary, as well as bonus matches, interviews, Dirt Sheet segment
The Rise + Fall of ECW is a 2004 direct-to-video documentary produced by World Wrestling Entertainment. It chronicles the history of Philadelphia-based professional wrestling promotion Extreme Championship Wrestling.
When workers at the Hormel meatpacking plant in Austin, Minnesota are asked to take a substantial pay cut in a highly profitable year, the local labor union decides to go on strike and fight for a wage they believe is fair. But as the work stoppage drags on and the strikers face losing everything, friends become enemies, families are divided and the very future of this typical mid American town is threatened.
This documentary follows superstar Bret Hart during his last year in the WWF. The film documents the tensions that resulted in The Montreal Screwjob, one of the most controversial events in the history of professional wrestling, in which Vince McMahon, Shawn Micheals, and others, legitimately conspired behind the scenes to go against the script and remove Bret Hart as champion.
The strange career of one of the wrestling world's most controversial figures is explored in this WWE Home Video release focusing on eccentric brawler The Ultimate Warrior.
This feature-length big screen documentary tells the riotous inside story of the infamous sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll repertory cinema which inspired a generation during Britain's turbulent Thatcher years.
It’s one of the most distinctive and storied championships in the world of sports entertainment and its titleholders are industry standard bearers. Now, for the first time ever, fans can own the definitive DVD set devoted entirely and exclusively to the World Heavyweight Championship.
"619" isn't just San Diego's area code, it's WWE Superstar Rey Mysterio's signature move, recalling his hometown. Join Rey for this special journey from his humble "619" beginnings...to his days in WCW...to his high-flyin' WWE career. Rey takes us to Mexico, where he first began training. Get Rey's unique perspectives on his fiercest rivals in the business. For the first time anywhere, Rey's family members and WWE Superstars help profile the most acrobatic and unique performer in WWE today.
An alternative documentary following the trail of blood and carnage of Philadelphia’s own Deathmatch Rock n’ Roll pioneers, Eat the Turnbuckle, from beer-soaked bars to the largest stage in the world of metal.
State of Bacon tells the kinda real but mostly fake tale of an oddball group of characters leading up to the annual Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival. Bacon-enthusiasts, Governor Branstad, a bacon queen, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, members of PETA, and an envoy of Icelanders are not excluded from this bacon party and during the course of the film become intertwined with the organizers of the festival to show that bacon diplomacy is not dead.
Documentary that reflects on the WWE career of the Undertaker, the franchise's longest serving wrestler with over two decades of action behind him. Known for his trademark finishing move, the tombstone piledriver, the Undertaker has entered battle with generations of WWE stars. Among those to offer their thoughts on what it is like to face him in the ring are Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Big Show, Randy Orton and Brock Lesnar who ended The Streak.
Andre the Giant was a man larger than life, so large his nickname was "The Eight Wonder of the World." Lord Alfred Hayes hosts the matches that built the legend of this Hall of Famer. Matches Include: vs. Moondog Rex 8/1/81 18-Man Battle Royal with Sgt. Slaughter, Big john Studd, Jimmy Snuka, Pat Patterson, "Hollywood" Hogan, Paul Orndorff, The Iron Sheik, & Tito Santana. vs. Black Gordman & Great Goliath 1/12/76 vs. Jack Evans, Johnny Rodz, & Joe Butcher Nova vs. Gorilla Monsoon with the Grand Wizard Andre the Giant and Jimmy Snuka vs. the Wild Samoans 2/18/83 vs. the Masked Superstar 2/20/84 Andre the Giant & S.D. Jones vs. Big John Studd & Ken Patera with Bobby Heenan 12/15/84. This is the legendary haircut match. vs. Ken Patera 1/21/85 Revenge of the Giant vs. Big John Studd 3/31/85 WrestleMania - commentary by Michael Cole & Tazz.
A documentary of the life a Captain Lou Albano, the WWF legend. The story is told by many of his fellow wrestlers like Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan.
Inductees into the 2014 WWE Hall of Fame included Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Ultimate Warrior, Razor Ramon, Lita, Paul Bearer, Mr. T and Carlos Colón.
A documentary that depicts wrestler Rikidōzan and the wrestling boom in Japan.
Celebrating the splendor and grandeur of the great cinemas of the United States, built when movies were the acme of entertainment and the stories were larger than life, as were the venues designed to show them. The film also tracks the eventual decline of the palaces, through to today’s current preservation efforts. A tribute to America’s great art form and the great monuments created for audiences to enjoy them in.
"Wrestling's Last Rebel" is the definitive look at the life and career of Bruiser Brody told by the people who knew him best. Bruiser Brody was the most unpredictable and charismatic wrestler of all time. Independent, blood, guts, and box office, no one matched Bruiser Brody. Many have tried but there will never be another like him. From becoming a star in the United States to an international mega-star in Japan, Bruiser Brody marched to the beat of his own drum and did things his way. With a rebellious spirit running through his veins, Brody carved out a niche as an independent wrestler before the indies ever existed.
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