BIGGER, STRONGER, FASTER* begins with director/screenwriter Christopher Bell praising a trio of his childhood heroes: Hulk Hogan, Sylvester Stallone, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. His worship of these iconic he-men led to Bell's efforts in the weight room, but he was always eclipsed in athletics by his brothers: older brother Mike "Mad Dog" Bell excelled on the football field and later in pro wrestling, while younger brother Mark "Smelly" Bell reigned in powerlifting events. While Christopher Bell remained staunchly anti-steroid, his brothers grew larger, thanks to a variety of performance enhancers. With this documentary, Christopher Bell explores not only his own family's steroid use, but how the issue reflects on America as a whole and the country's desire to be the best.

For a subject that is so close to the director and his family, BIGGER, STRONGER, FASTER* is remarkably balanced. Though Bell narrates his own film à la Michael Moore, this documentary manages to present both sides of the issue with clarity and passion. In addition to discussing steroids, BIGGER, STRONGER, FASTER* is a fascinating chronicle of men's body-image issues, which usually take a back seat to those of women. It's an impressive debut, and film fans may be curious to see if Bell can create another documentary that may not be so personal.

DVD Features:

Keep Case
Widescreen 1.78
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Digital 2.0 - English
Subtitles - Spanish - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Behind The Scenes
Deleted Scenes

Christopher Bell: American writer/director

Alexander Buono: Director of Photography, SNIPES (2002)
Tamsin Rawady: Australian writer/producer
Jim Czarnecki: Producer, BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE (2002)

Christopher Bell: American writer/director
Alexander Buono: Director of Photography, SNIPES (2002)
Tamsin Rawady: Australian writer/producer

Dave Porter: Composer

"[A]n incisive an compulsively watchable look at America's love affair with steroids..." -- Grade: A-
"[A] surprisingly comprehensive and insightful look at a culture predicated on might and obsessed with achieving success at any cost."