Behind-the-scenes bodybuilding activity is the theme of this semi-documentary on World Bodybuilding competition. When the film was first released, it became a surprisingly huge box office success, and helped to spawn the career of future Hollywood action superstar--and six-time Mr. Olympia--Arnold Schwarzenegger. Also features notable figures such as Lou Ferrigno, Franco Columbu, and Mike Katz.

Documentary centering on the world of men's bodybuilding. "Pumping Iron" captures the punishing training and self-discipline it takes to transform an average body into a prize-winning specimen. The film focuses on Arnold Schwarzenegger (in his pre-movie star days) as he prepares to compete in the Mr. Olympia and Mr. Universe pageants. His main competitor: TV's "Incredible Hulk", Lou Ferrigno.

Produced by White Mountain Films.

Also includes appearances by Matty and Victoria Ferrigno (Lou Ferrigno's parents) and Marianne Claire.

Shot in Venice and San Francisco, California; Brooklyn, NY; Holyoke, Massachusetts; Pretoria, South Africa.

Excerpt: "The good bodybuilders have the same mind...that a sculptor has. If you analyze it, you look in the mirror and you say, okay, I need a bit more deltoids...so that the proportion's right, and...you exercise and put those deltoids on, whereas an artist would just slap on some clay on each side."--Arnold Schwarzenegger

"Boy, that's fantastic. Fantastic. Imagine how he must feel. Incredible."--Bodybuilder Mike Katz, learning that his rival has won the Mr. Universe competition

"I always felt my place was in America, and when I was ten years old I only dreamed of coming to America and being the greatest and being different from anybody else."--Schwarzenegger

"You know Louis, you look like something Michelangelo carved out."--Matty Ferrigno to his son

"Ive thrown up many times working out, but it's all worth it."--Schwarzenegger

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Digital 2.0 - English
Additional Release Material:
Documentary - 1. "Iron and Beyond"
Featurettes - 1. "Raw Iron: The Making of PUMPING IRON"
2. "Iron Insights" (2003 In-Depth Interview With Arnold Schwarzenegger)
3. Video Bio of Arnold
Outtakes

George Butler: Documentary Director
Robert Fiore: Documentary Director

Michael Small: American Composer

"...Interesting....[Schwarzenegger] is a witty [subject]..."
"Arnold Schwarzenegger had a magnetic screen presence from the beginning."