Watch The Strongest Man in the World
- G
- 1975
- 1 hr 32 min
-
5.9 (3,790)
The Strongest Man in the World is a live-action Disney movie from 1975 that revolves around the science department of Medfield College. Dexter Riley (Kurt Russell), the beloved student protagonist from earlier Medfield-based movies, is back, but this time as a research assistant alongside his friend Richard Schuyler (Michael McGreevey).
A series of accidents, shenanigans, and mix-ups lead to Dexter ingesting a cereal additive that enhances his physical abilities to superhuman levels. This leads him to test his strength and prove himself to be the 'strongest man in the world,' competing against other athletes in various tournaments to raise funds for the struggling science department.
The movie features a host of other characters, such as the greedy businessman A.J. Arno (Cesar Romero), who wants to steal the additive and make a fortune from it, and the bumbling Dean Higgins (Joe Flynn), who is desperate to keep his college open and relies on Dexter to win the contests to fund his department.
Eve Arden plays Professor Quigley, who is initially skeptical of Dexter's abilities and spends much of the movie trying to uncover the truth behind his newfound strength. Along the way, Dexter also attracts the attention of a young woman named Debbie Dawson (Kathleen Cody), who helps him navigate the challenges that come with being the strongest man in the world.
The movie features a series of hilarious and chaotic scenes, from Dexter accidentally breaking every scientific instrument in the lab to him trying to navigate the struggles of everyday life with his new strength. There are memorable moments, such as Dexter lifting cars, creating giant craters with his super strength, and even juggling sports cars. In one standout sequence, Dexter saves a school bus full of children from a runaway truck, fulfilling his role as a Disney-style superhero.
The Strongest Man in the World is a classic family-friendly movie, relying on slapstick humor and over-the-top action sequences to entertain the audience. Although it may come across as dated, fans of the movie appreciate it for its nostalgic value and the enduring appeal of Kurt Russell's charming lead performance.
Overall, this movie is a fun and wholesome option for anyone who wants to relive the golden age of Disney live-action movies or introduce younger audiences to a simpler time of cinematic storytelling.
The Strongest Man in the World is a 1975 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9 and a MetaScore of 63.