Before he was the Terminator, before he was the Governator, Arnold Schwarzenegger was just a guy who loved to flex.
Watch him psych out Lou Ferrigno, charm the judges, and redefine bodybuilding forever in this iconic doc
“Pumping Iron” is Arnold’s second appearance on Daily Doc. The first was “Arnold” on Netflix (which I ranked even higher (95/100!)
Trailer for “Pumping Iron”
Watch “Pumping Iron”
You can watch “Pumping Iron” for free on Hoopla (with library card) at https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/12552208.
I also see it free on Tubi, Pluto and Roku (all with ads) and then for rental elsewhere.
You can find the latest streaming options at https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/pumping-iron
Ratings:
- My Rating: 90/100
- IMDB Rating: /10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 84/100 (Users); 92/100 (Critics)
Release Date: January 18, 1977
My Review of “Pumping Iron”
The Setup
“Pumping Iron” is a 85-minute documentary directed by George Butler and Robert Fiore.
It follows the 1975 Mr. Olympia and Mr. Universe competitions, focusing on Arnold Schwarzenegger and his biggest rival, Lou Ferrigno. Arnold, a five-time Mr. Olympia winner, is confident, charming, and always in control.
Lou is younger, quieter, and trains in a small gym with his father pushing him hard.
The doc helped make bodybuilding popular and launched Arnold into movie stardom.
Director’s Note: Butler is also known for “The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition,” and Fiore worked on “Pumping Iron II: The Women”.
You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up
- Arnold says lifting weights feels as good as “coming,” comparing it to an orgasm.
- He plays mind games with Ferrigno, making him think he has already lost before stepping on stage.
More Highlights from the Doc
- Arnold claims he skipped his father’s funeral to keep training. Some people say this isn’t true.
- Arnold’s best friend, Franco Columbu, shows off his crazy strength by lifting a car out of a parking space.
- Ferrigno’s dad is his coach, but instead of helping him relax, he makes him even more nervous.
- Arnold and Ferrigno are total opposites. Arnold is loud and playful, while Lou is serious and quiet.
- Ferrigno’s training scenes look like something from “Rocky.” He works out in a dark, basement-like gym in Brooklyn.
- Ken Waller steals Mike Katz’s T-shirt as a prank. It seems mean, but it adds drama to the film.
- Arnold gives Lou fake advice before the competition, messing with his confidence.
- Mike Katz, another bodybuilder, is shown as an underdog. As a kid, he was bullied for wearing glasses.
Cameos
- Franco Columbu, who later acted in “The Terminator,” plays a big role in the film.
- Serge Nubret, a famous bodybuilder, appears but isn’t shown much.
- Ed Corney, a bodybuilder with an amazing posing routine, impresses Arnold.
Lesser-Known Details from the Doc
- The Arnold vs. Lou rivalry wasn’t as close as it looked. Arnold was way ahead.
- Arnold’s “skipping his dad’s funeral” story is probably fake.
- This film helped Arnold get his first big movie role in “Conan the Barbarian.”
- Lou Ferrigno later became famous for playing “The Incredible Hulk” on TV.
Wrap Up
“Pumping Iron” is about competition, confidence, and mind games.
It made Arnold a star, helped bring bodybuilding to the mainstream, and is still one of the best sports documentaries ever. If you want to see how legends are made, this is a must-watch.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc