Pumping Iron

Critics Consensus

In addition to offering an enlightening early look into the world of future star/politician Arnold Schwarzenegger, Pumping Iron provides a witty and insightful overview of competitive bodybuilding.

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Pumping Iron Photos

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Movie Info

This partly real and partly scripted film documents what many consider to be the golden age of bodybuilding that occurred in the 1970s. It depicts two major competitions: Mr. Universe, which is for amateur participants, and Mr. Olympia, which is for pros. In the former, Mike Katz and Ken Waller are profiled, while in the latter, the chief contenders are Lou Ferrigno, Franco Columbu and Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is hoping to take home a sixth win.

Genre:

documentary
Original Language:

English
Director:

George Butler, Robert Fiore
Producer:

Jerome Gary
Release Date (Streaming):

Nov 5, 2015
Runtime:

1h 25m
Production Co:

White Mountain Films
Sound Mix:

Mono

Cast & Crew

Arnold Schwarzenegger
Self

Lou Ferrigno
Self

Roger Callard
Self

Franco Columbu
Self

Marianne Claire
Self

Ed Corney
Self

Show all Cast & Crew

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Critic Reviews for Pumping Iron

Schwarzenegger isn't merely its subject-he's its star, and his beaming, witty, charismatic presence in the film is among the most ingratiating performances of the time.

May 30, 2018 | Full Review…

Richard Brody
New Yorker
When documentary buffs insist filmic truth is better than fiction, they'll cite this absorbing look at bodybuilding.

May 30, 2018 | Full Review…

Chris Willman
Entertainment Weekly
[Schwarzenegger] carries that phenomenal physique so nonchalantly that one can't help feeling charmed and reassured.

April 30, 2018 | Full Review…

Gary Arnold
Washington Post
A very good film, beautifully shot and edited, intelligently structured and -- to risk what will surely seem at first a highly inappropriate term -- charming.

August 3, 2008 | Full Review…

Richard Schickel
TIME Magazine
Fascinating stuff when viewed in the context of Arnie's now notorious political career.

March 14, 2007 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Danny Graydon
Empire Magazine
The most fascinating aspect of this film is the dedicated training that turns average-built young men (frequently they refer to themselves as weaklings in their early youth) into superbly-created physical edifices.

March 14, 2007 | Full Review…

Variety Staff
Variety
Personally, I found it a bit of a bore.

October 23, 2019 | Full Review…

Ruth Batchelor
Los Angeles Free Press
Schwarzenegger is irresistible, dominating every scene he appears in and offering the kind of T-Shirt slogan soundbites that continue to make him a favourite source for anyone looking for inspiration.

May 30, 2018 | Full Review…

Simon Gallagher
What Culture
Pumping Iron becomes a fascinating glimpse at the kind of sociopathy required of living gods.

May 30, 2018 | Full Review…

Dom Sinacola
Paste Magazine
In retrospect, it is unsurprising that both of the film's main stars pursued careers in acting, because Pumping Iron is a documentary in only the most liberal sense of the word.

May 30, 2018 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Michael Leader
Den of Geek
Full of much more heart than you might expect.

May 30, 2018 | Full Review…

Decider Staff
Decider
Pumping Iron is more or less the first proper introduction to Arnold Schwarzenegger. Not the person, though. No, the persona.

May 30, 2018 | Full Review…

Blake Goble
Consequence of Sound