Product Details

• Actors: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno, Matty Ferrigno, Victoria Ferrigno, Mike Katz
• Directors: George Butler, Robert Fiore
• Writers: George Butler, Charles Gaines
• Producers: George Butler, David Wyles, Dennis Sanders, Jerome Gary
• Format: Color, EP, Original recording reissued, NTSC
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Rhino / Wea
• VHS Release Date: March 25, 1994
• Run Time: 85 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (236 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302548195
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #218,025 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential video

Arnold Schwarzenegger works the crowds, plots strategies for defeating multiple opponents, shares his parents' values with the press, and inspires legions of admirers with his resolute optimism about the future. And all of this long before he decided to run for governor of California, in 1977's hit documentary, Pumping Iron. Larger than life, though not necessarily larger than his rivals for the Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia bodybuilding titles (especially a young Lou Ferrigno, hot on Arnold's competitive trail but much less interesting), Schwarzenegger still comes across, at age 28, as a consummate politician, smart, likable, and crafty about exploiting others' psychological weaknesses. The film still feels redundant (there's only so much beefcake the human eye will tolerate), but the emotional dramas--the unrewarded hard work, the unanswered hopes--are compelling. Complete with a revealing 2003 interview with Schwarzenegger and a reunion of the film's bodybuilders and director. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant sports documentary on body building's Golden Age., June 19, 2003

By 

P. Ferrigno "firehouse444" (Melbourne, Victoria Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pumping Iron [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The 1970's was definitely the halcyon days of international bodybuilding...two forward thinking brothers, Ben & Joe Weider, took a novelty sport, propelled it to stellar heights, built a publishing & business empire and gave the phrase "pumping iron" respectability and recognition worldwide. However, the Weider's would never have been as successful, if it had not been for a brash, young, quick talking bodybuilder from Austria (with a super hero, chiselled physique ) named Arnold Schwarzenneger who was the "golden boy" of bodybuilding's golden age.

This tremendous documentary primarily follows four elite bodybuilders in their lead up to the 1975 Mr Universe & Mr Olympia titles in Pretoria, South Africa. Mike Katz, Ken Waller, Lou "The Hulk" Ferrigno & Arnold Schwarzenneger are all shown training hard, posing down and attempting to psych each other out in the quest for the sport's top prizes. Also featured in the film are some of the other key identities from bodybuilding in the 1970's...Ed Corney, "The Black Prince" Robbie Robinson, Danny "The Giant Killer" Padilla, "The Sardinian Superman" Franco Colombu, Frenchman Serge Nubret & Frank Zane. George Butler's intriguing film is based around the book of the same name by fitness author Charles Gaines, who also wrote the novel "Stay Hungry" that was filmed a year earlier to "Pumping Iron" with a young Schwarzenneger as bodybuiler, Joe Santos !

Butler's probing camera focus's very much on the psychological aspects of the sport and much of "Pumping Iron's" running time is shown on the behind the scenes issues and mental preparation by the athletes and all important confidence boosting by their family and peers. Especially interesting is the intensely close relationship between ex-NYC cop Matty Ferrigno and his shy 24 year old son Lou, as the two ferociously train and methodically prepare to topple untouchable Arnold off his perch as the world's number one bodybuilder. However, we soon see why Arnold achieved the heights of fame and numerous titles, as he psychologically dismantles his opponents confidence and rattles their faith with his laid back & unnerving comments on their physiques !

Although "Pumping Iron" looks a little dated (lots of flared pants and bad haircuts), it is easily the best documentary ever made on competitive bodybuilding and is still compulsive viewing for anyone genuinely interested in one of the oldest, and often most mis-understood sports on the planet !

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Saw DVD, Not Edited, October 17, 2003

By 

robb0117 "robb0117" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pumping Iron (25th Anniversary Special Edition) (DVD)

I just watched this DVD and can confirm that it is NOT edited. If you really want to see Arnold smoking, eating pastries and carrying girls on his shoulders, it is still here. More importantly, the movie itself looks great as are the extras. One great extra is the making of documentary including a "Pumping Iron" reunion and shots of Arnold's bachelor pad from the 70s. Pretty funny.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Weight Training Video Alive Still!, December 21, 1999

By 

Della (Fla, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pumping Iron [VHS] (VHS Tape)

My husband is a big Arnold Fan. He started weight training after reviewing some Arnold's earlier times. He really has fun in the video and shows you an all around good time around the gym. It makes yu really realize that your goals in life are not just around the corner but very easy to reach once you've given a little hard work. I'm still amazed when I see him in a new movie. At his age he still looks great! Plus, he has one of the best minds bussinesly speaking not to mention comically. We love him! I really wish they would bring back Pumping Iron to DVD since our VHS copy is really showing it's age.