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Steel Arena is a 1973 drama film directed by Mark L. Lester and written by Richard Brenne and John C.K. Daly. The film stars Dusty Russell, Buddy Love, and Gene Drew. It tells the story of a young man named Dusty Rhodes (played by Dusty Russell) who dreams of becoming a professional wrestler. Along the way, he faces a number of challenges, both in the ring and in his personal life.
The film opens with Dusty Rhodes working as a mechanic at a gas station in a small town. He spends his free time practicing wrestling moves in his backyard, dreaming of the day when he will be a famous wrestler. One day, he meets a woman named Babs (played by Kathy McHaley) who works at the local diner. Babs encourages Dusty to pursue his dream and even helps him make a wrestling poster to advertise his first match.
Dusty's first match is a disaster. He is pitted against a much more experienced wrestler and is quickly defeated. But Dusty is determined to keep fighting. He enters a series of matches at a local arena called the Steel Arena, where he faces a variety of opponents, from a Native American wrestler to a strongman who can lift cars.
As Dusty's reputation grows, he becomes more and more confident in the ring. But his personal life begins to suffer. Babs becomes jealous of Dusty's female fans and starts to doubt his commitment to their relationship. Meanwhile, Dusty's boss at the gas station becomes angry that Dusty is spending so much time wrestling instead of working.
The climax of the film comes when Dusty is offered a match against the reigning champion, a wrestler named Jacko Johnson (played by Buddy Love). Dusty is excited for the opportunity to prove himself against the best, but Jacko is a tough opponent. The match is intense and brutal, with both wrestlers taking a beating. In the end, Dusty emerges victorious, but not without sustaining serious injuries.
The film ends with Dusty retiring from wrestling and returning to his life as a mechanic. Babs forgives him for neglecting their relationship, and Dusty looks forward to a bright future with her. Despite the bruises and scars he has earned in the ring, Dusty knows that he has achieved his dream of becoming a wrestler.
Overall, Steel Arena is a classic underdog story, with a charming and determined protagonist who overcomes the odds to achieve his dream. The film is also notable for its gritty portrayal of wrestling, which feels authentic and visceral. The fights are intense and brutal, and the wrestlers themselves are depicted as complex and sympathetic characters. While the film may be somewhat dated in its portrayal of gender roles and relationships, it remains a compelling and entertaining drama that will appeal to fans of wrestling and sports movies alike.
Steel Arena is a 1973 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3.
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Genres
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CastDusty RussellBuddy LoveGene Drew
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DirectorMark L. Lester
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Release Date1973
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MPAA RatingPG
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Runtime1 hr 40 min
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IMDB Rating5.3 (167)
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