Watch Beyond the Mat

Beyond the Mat is a documentary-style movie that takes a deep dive into the world of professional wrestling. It was released in 1999 and directed by Barry W. Blaustein. The film follows the lives of three professional wrestlers - Terry Funk, Mick Foley, and Jake Roberts - and gives us an inside look into the trials and tribulations they face both in and out of the ring.

Terry Funk is a veteran wrestler who has been in the industry for over 30 years. Known for his hardcore style of wrestling, Funk is a tough and determined performer who is loved by his fans. The movie shows us an intimate side of Funk's life, following him as he faces some of the biggest challenges of his career. We see him struggling to come to terms with the fact that his body can no longer take the punishment of the wrestling ring, and we also witness his emotional reunion with his wife after years of separation.

Mick Foley is another veteran wrestler who is known for his hardcore style. He is famous for his alter ego "Mankind", a character who wears a mask and speaks in a raspy voice. Foley shows us the difficult and often brutal side of wrestling, as we see him willingly subject himself to unimaginable pain and suffering for the sake of his fans. The movie also explores the relationship between Foley and his family, giving us a glimpse into the struggles he faces trying to balance his career with his personal life.

Jake Roberts is a wrestler who has battled addiction for much of his life. The movie shows us Roberts' journey towards sobriety, as he tries to come to terms with the demons that have haunted him for years. We see him struggling to stay clean and sober, while also trying to make a comeback in the wrestling industry. Despite his many setbacks, Roberts remains a beloved figure in the wrestling world, and the movie shows us just how much he means to his fans.

The film takes us inside the world of professional wrestling, giving us a behind-the-scenes look at the industry that is as fascinating as it is brutal. We see the wrestlers as real people, with real hopes and fears, and we gain a new appreciation for the sacrifices they make for the entertainment of their fans. Beyond the Mat is as much a tribute to the wrestlers as it is an examination of the industry, and it succeeds in humanizing some of its most iconic figures.

One of the strengths of the film is the way in which it contrasts the showmanship of wrestling with the reality of the injuries it can cause. We see wrestlers performing dangerous stunts and risking their lives for the sake of their fans, and we also see the toll that this takes on their bodies and their personal lives. Beyond the Mat is an eye-opening look at the sport and an excellent exploration of what it takes to succeed in such a brutal industry.

In conclusion, Beyond the Mat is a fascinating documentary that offers a raw and emotional look into the world of professional wrestling. It succeeds in humanizing some of the sport's most iconic figures, while also exploring the realities of what it takes to succeed in such a demanding and dangerous industry. The movie is a must-watch for wrestling fans and anyone who is interested in the intersection of sports and entertainment.

Beyond the Mat is a 1999 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 73.