Customer Reviews

Wrestler, The

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This movie is for the TRUE, DIEHARD pro-wrestling fan. It is also for the fan of RAZZIEs (movies so bad they are good). As a kid in the early 1970s I watched the American Wrestling Association (AWA) on Channel 26 in Chicago. And, i can remember the wrestlers talking about their involvement in making this movie. But, the movie had very limited release in 1973 and i never had a chance to see it. But, I never forgot about this movie and I recently saw a review of it on the Wrestle Crap website (www.wrestlecrap.com). And, thank Goodness for Amazon.com, which allowed me to purchase a copy of the movie right away!

The movie itself is crap. It's a fairly boring story (and ridiculous as it presents pro-wrestling as legitimate sport). But, it's fabulous as a snapshot of the pro-wrestling biz in the 1970s. It's great to see the former greats like Dick the Bruiser, The Crusher, Verne Gagne, Dusty Rhodes, Superstar Billy Graham, Billy Robinson and many others. It's also a wrestling fan's mark out moment to see the scene featuring a cameo by Vincent McMahon Sr (Vincent K McMahon's dad & founder of the WWF).

It would be interesting to find out how the actor Ed Asner (Mary Tyler Moore and Lou Grant shows) got involved in this movie project. He's the only legitimate actor in this small budget film. None of the performances by the wrestlers are that bad as they are basically playing themselves. (For some reason, Verne Gagne plays a character named "Mike Bullard" but all the other wrestlers are themselves: Crusher is Crusher, Dusty is Dusty and so on. Odd....) I have to give some credit to Sam Mennaker who plays the bad guy trying to pressure the wrestling promoter to fix a match. Sam Mennaker was the color commentator for AWA television matches. And, he does a good job playing the heavy.

The sound quality on the DVD is not good. (I had to crank up the volume on my TV to hear the dialog. And, in crowd scenes it is very hard to hear the dialog.) Also, the lighting in most scenes is very dark. This is partly done to cover for the cheap sets and to hide the fact that crowd scenes are not so crowded.

But, if you are a fan of pro-wrestling and want a taste of the old days, you will want this DVD!

This movie brings back so many memories. If, like me, you grew up as a pro wrestling fan in the Midwest in the 60's & 70's, you'll love this movie. All of the greats in the old AWA are here. Vern Gagne, Billy Robinson, Wahoo McDaniel, Superstar Graham..., I could go on. Of course, I would be totally remiss if I didn't mention my two all time favorites, Dick the Bruiser and the Crusher.
If you're looking for an Academy Award winning performance, look elsewhere. If you're looking for a great remembrance of what old school pro wrestling was all about, this is the movie for you. If you're only familiar with the current WWE pro wrestling, you will still probably enjoy this movie. If for no other reason than to see what us old-timers are talking about when we say that this is what pro wrestling is all about!!

This 1973 film starring Ed Asner(Mary Tyler Moore,Lou Grant) portraying a wrestling manager-agent who fights to foil the attempts of some low-life wrestlers who are trying to profit from a fixed fight.This great cast includes Lord James Blears,Superstar Billy Graham,Dick Murdoch and Verne Gagne.It deserves to be a cult classic!!

Ed Asner is awesome! This is kind of like a modern day Kevin James movie without ANY BIG NAME STAR HELP (Adam Sandler etc.)
The guy trys to put the whole local wrestling promotion together & there is a romantic twist !
wow! I ALMOST FORGOT ! DUSTY RHODES, SUPERSTAR BILLY GRAHAM, DICK MURDOCH: Great cameos! Wrestling action AWA OLD SCHOOL !
ANY DUSTY RHODES FAN MUST GET THIS FOR THE BAR FIGHT ALONE!

Like the first reviewer...this is the kind of movie that's a guilty pleasure! Terrible production values, shotty sets, awful ending and the premise of Ed Asner getting together with a twentysomething looker-RIDICULOUS! I absolutely love pro wrestling and if you're a true fan..this movie will not disappoint. The cast is LOADED with some of the biggest names in the history of the business. Two highlights in my opinion; 1)Dusty Rhodes and Dick Murdoch in the bar fight scene. 2) The dinner scene shot of Billy Robinson talking. Sitting in camera to his right, The one and only Nature Boy Ric Flair! It was before the blond hair and the WOOOOOOOOO!

In his 30-plus years as co-owner of the American Wrestling Association and as the 10-time heavyweight champion, Verne Gagne ruled with one goal in mind; protecting the business of professional wrestling.

This 1974 gem is pure kayfabe - the portrayal of events within the industry as real. Gagne - the producer of the film - stars as an aging champion, Mike Bullard, who will face his toughest match ever, against the young contender, Billy Taylor, played by legendary AWA wrestler, Billy Robinson. Add in a dash of crooked promoters and a sprinkling of evil mobsters & Bullard is facing a challenge of the ages outside the squared-circle as he prepares for this "Super Bowl" matchup.

With numerous wrestlers and personalities from the AWA - along with other pro stars - it gives a real feel of a fan having an insider's view of the industry and the possible political games that can be played to unfairly manipulate/script a match.