Arnold

I am not only a movie buff from France but also a former bodybuilder from my late teen and early adult years. I was totally dedicated in this sport, totally. It was my blood, my spirit, my guts, my sweat. Arnold Schwarzenneger was my idol. I read more stuff about him than anyone else, I bought enough Joe Weider's Muscle Builder magazines to fill up a warehouse or a library, I watched PUMPING IRON dozens of times and thought I knew everything about Arnold. But after watching this series, I suddenly realize how wrong I was. I learned no many things here, saw so many archives videos, footage that I am stunned. And here Arnold is so honest, so sensitive, so poignant. He tells everything about his childhood, his family life with his brother, father, mother, his feelings, his mistakes. He hides absolutely nothing. Except MAYBE sexual details.... He even admits to have taken steroids four months a year during the first part of the seventies, preparing his Mr Olympia contests. He also admits, confesses to have behaved like a German war machine, a robot, an unbeatable, indestructible machine, as later his terrific TERMINATOR character, at least the first one, forget the rest for me. Yes TERMINATOR is the best allegory of what Arnold was during his contest years, a war machine to win, a smart, brilliant machine, millions miles away from all clichés about muscle bound, beefcakes bobybuilders. Arnold was the antithesis of the common bodybuilding image. He did more for bodybuilding - and also himself of course, because he was the most selfish man in the world - he admits it - than any other champion since. But as an actor, he had only a presence, he has never been a actor for me, ONLY A PRESENCE, A F...PRESENCE: TERMINATOR, CONAN THE BARBARIAN and a couple of other excellent flicks such as PREDATOR. This is a damn good document about A S, the best ever for me. He had great genetics, was strong minded, the determination to move mountains, and above all was lucky enough to meet the proper, "good" persons, first in Munich, back in the sixties, and then of course later with the likes of Joe Weider and the Kennedy family, and I am sure many more people in the movie industry. Because, I know, of his terrific charm. Many bodybuilders were luckier than him in terms of genetics - Sergio Oliva - many bodybuilders were also very determined, but those athletes were less lucky than him, less intelligent and also had less charm. I just try here to analyze the reasons of his success.

My husband and I watched all three episodes last night. It's one of the best documentaries I've seen. Very candid and we liked that the person being documented is actually the one doing the talking. He comes across as a very driven person, smarter than a lot people think he is. (Probably the accent and those action movies). He has worked really hard all his life invested his earning wisely. He gives a lot of credit to all the people who have helped him along the way. He actually says " Don't call me a self made man". I've had lots and lots of help". He covers in the three episodes, his early career in bodybuilding along with his relationship with his parents and brother growing up in Austria, his movie career and his political career. He made me believe that he is actually a pretty nice guy who has some flaws and owns up to some mistakes he has made and that he tries to do the right thing. If you are a fan, you will be even a bigger one and if you aren't a fan, you may be surprised more than once and become one.

I've always liked him, but never knew much about him till now. I knew he was a bodybuilder, wealthy from real estate, was Governor and had an affair, but that was all I knew really. These filmmakers and editors were quite brilliant in their delivery of information about an extremely driven and engaging person who has truly done things his way, but realizes that he could never do it alone.

He is humble, observant, smart, self-reflective, honest in his look at family, his foibles and strengths, and an incredible person from start to finish. And he loves an array of animals! He has changed the world in so many varying ways, film, politics, climate change, sports, popular history and more, that it is outstanding that we have had the opportunity to live in the same time period as this powerhouse.

Bravo to the filmmakers, and thank you Arnold for your contributions to the world.

I love Arnold. I have followed his career my whole life, and wasn't sure if I would watch this because I felt I knew everything I needed to know about Arnold. I was wrong. This is a really great, and honest, documentary about the meteoric rise and challenges of this complex man. While we know the story of Schwarzenegger, what this film does is provides the man's guided journey through the, not only the circumstances, but his thoughts and feelings. The archival footage, and the modern interviews, are all well woven together to make this an exceptional docuseries. I often complain that most modern documentaries are too long-this one, at three parts, is just right. I recommend it.

I was surprised. The transparency and depth of his background really surprised me. The first episode sees Arnold opening up about his home town and parental upbringing. He doesn't pull any punches here. Seeing him in the very same bedroom...and bed...where he began his quest was mind blowing for me. Hi journey to America was detailed as was his acknowledgement of those who supported him...both financially and physically. Franco and Frank were key in his personal life providing guidance and friendship. It was a breath of fresh air to hear him open up about steroids as well. I am really looking forward to the next 2 episodes, hoping he leaves the vegan nonsense out of it. A great documentary so far.