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Pumping Iron

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7.1/10 • 492

1977-01-181h 26m

Documentary

Amateur and professional bodybuilders prepare for the 1975 Mr. Olympia and Mr. Universe contests as five-time champion Arnold Schwarzenegger defends his Mr. Olympia title against Serge Nubret and the shy young Lou Ferrigno.

Directors
George Butler, Robert Fiore
Writters
Charles Gaines, George Butler
Editors
Charles Gaines, George Butler, Lawrence Silk

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Arnold Schwarzenegger

    Arnold Schwarzenegger

    Self

  2. Lou Ferrigno

    Lou Ferrigno

    Self

  3. Mike Katz

    Mike Katz

    Self

  4. Serge Nubret

    Serge Nubret

    Self

  5. Franco Columbu

    Franco Columbu

    Self

  6. Ed Corney

    Ed Corney

    Self

  7. Ken Waller

    Ken Waller

    Self

  8. Robbie Robinson

    Robbie Robinson

    Self

  9. Marianne Claire

    Marianne Claire

    Self

Reviews1

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cineast78 Avatar

cineast78

Nov 12, 2024

9/10

Probably the most significant film about bodybuilding ever made. This film is a masterclass for any documentary filmmaker—though it's more of a docudrama than a traditional documentary. Fiction and reality are cleverly intertwined in a way that helped lay the groundwork for the subsequent bodybuilding and fitness boom. It also introduced the public to a man who would go on to achieve even greater success in many fields, often as a pioneer, and sometimes in situations where no one believed in him: Arnold Schwarzenegger. At his peak as a "bodybuilder," Arnie is portrayed as someone who is sharp and ruthless, willing to sacrifice everything—absolutely everything—for success. Lou Ferrigno, later known for portraying the Hulk in the TV series, plays his rival, a shy and vulnerable individual with a dominant and pushing father. These two opposing forces are used to represent the 1970s U.S. bodybuilding scene and make it accessible to the public.

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
$1,000,000.00
Revenue
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Keywords
competitiontrainingbodybuildingbehind the scenessports documentarybodybuilding competitionweight trainingbody builderscompetitorphysical trainingbodybuilders