Beyond the Mat [Ringside Special Edition]

Barry W. Blaustein

Overview

"This no-holds-barred documentary look at the unforgiving world of professional wrestling gets a solid presentation for its release on DVD. Beyond the Mat has been given a full-frame transfer to disc in the aspect ratio of 1.33:1. The audio has been maste

Product Details

Release Date:	08/24/2004
UPC:	0025192397622
Original Release:	1999
Rating:	NR
Source:	Universal Studios
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Full Frame]
Sound:	[Dolby Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	1:48:00
Sales rank:	43,444

Special Features

Closed Caption;Commentary by Stars Jesse "The Body" Ventura, Mick "Mankind" Foley and Director Barry Blaustein; Commentary by Star Terry Funk and Director Barry Blaustein; "On My Life in Wrestling and "The Royal Rumble" with Star Mick Foley; "Dinner with the Guys" featurette; Theatrical Trailer; Production Notes; Cast and Filmmakers

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Nathan Barr

Composer

Technical Credits

Barry W. Blaustein

Barry W. Blaustein	Producer,Screenwriter
Ron Howard	Producer
Brian Grazer	Producer
Michael Rosenberg	Producer
Barry Bloom	Producer
Peter J. Verrando	Sound/Sound Designer
Shawn Holden	Sound/Sound Designer

Scene Index

Side #1 --
1. My Wrestling Addiction
2. The WWF
3. A Potential Superstar
4. Boot Camp
5. The Tryouts
6. The Living Legend
7. ECW
8. The Most Normal Wrestler
9. Jake the Snake
10. All Kinds of Wrestlers
11. Time to Go Home
12. Jake's Daughter
13. No Self-Pity
14. The Royal Rumble
15. It's Showtime!
16. Daddy's Getting Hurt
17. It's Just a Boo-Boo
18. The Last Laugh
19. Epilogue
20. End Titles

Menu

Side #1 --
Scenes
Languages
Spoken Language: English
Spoken Language: Feature Commentaries
Enhanced Feature Commentary With Jesse Ventura, Mick Foley and Director Barry Blaustein
Feature Commentary With Terry Funk and Director Barry Blaustein
Captioned for the Hearing Impaired: English
Subtitles: Español
Subtitles: Français
Subtitles: None
Bonus Materials
Feature Commentary
Enhanced Feature Commentary With Jesse Ventura, Mick Foley and Director Barry Blaustein
Feature Commentary With Terry Funk and Director Barry Blaustein
Dinner With the Guys
Theatrical Trailer
Production Notes
Cast and Filmmakers
Mick Foley (Mankind)
Terry Funk
Jake "The Snake" Roberts
The Rock
Chyna
Directed by Barry W. Blaustein
Play

Editorial Reviews

Beyond the Mat bills itself as "The movie Vince McMahon doesn't want you to see." What's the World Wrestling Federation chairman trying to hide? Ever since his testimony several years ago that (gasp!) professional wrestling is indeed scripted, McMahon and his WWF have continued to push the envelopes of taste and physical endurance under the banner of "sports entertainment." Nobody denies that pro wrestling is a show anymore. But maybe McMahon doesn't want you to see the physical toll that the "fake" matches take on the performers. Beyond the Mat was not only shot backstage at wrestling events but also in the hotel rooms and hospitals where wrestlers live. Director Barry W. Blaustein, a lifelong wrestling fanatic, gained the trust of his heroes and follows them around, very quickly stripping them of their larger-than-life personae. We watch as faded legend Terry Funk refuses the strong advice of doctors and family to quit the game. He confronts the recently retired Mick Foley (aka Mankind, Dude Love, and Cactus Jack) with footage of his family's reaction to him being brutalized by The Rock with a folding chair. The sight seems to hurt Foley -- a devoted, loving father -- much more than any chair-shot. But the scariest footage captures former champ Jake "The Snake" Roberts, who chats openly about his crack addiction and the deep rift that his profession caused within his family. The convergence of acting and sports can take a very heavy toll, and Roberts's nonchalance about his problems is glaring proof of that. Beyond the Mat has plenty of body-slams -- behind the scenes and otherwise -- to please wrestling fans, but its dramatic impact will likely mesmerize non-devotees as well.