Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    EmmysSuperheroes GuideSan Diego Comic-ConSummer Watch GuideBest Of 2025 So FarDisability Pride MonthSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

Hands on a Hardbody: The Documentary

Original title: Hands on a Hard Body: The Documentary
  • 1997
  • PG
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
2.6K
YOUR RATING
Hands on a Hardbody: The Documentary (1997)
Watch Trailer
Play trailer1:11
1 Video
16 Photos
ComedyDocumentaryDrama

Twenty-four contestants compete in an endurance/sleep deprivation contest in order to win a brand new Nissan Hardbody truck. The last person to remain standing with his or her hand on the tr... Read allTwenty-four contestants compete in an endurance/sleep deprivation contest in order to win a brand new Nissan Hardbody truck. The last person to remain standing with his or her hand on the truck wins. An absurd marketing gimmick at first glance, the contest proves to be much more.... Read allTwenty-four contestants compete in an endurance/sleep deprivation contest in order to win a brand new Nissan Hardbody truck. The last person to remain standing with his or her hand on the truck wins. An absurd marketing gimmick at first glance, the contest proves to be much more...

  • Director
    • S.R. Bindler
  • Stars
    • Sid Allen
    • Brent Baskin
    • Greg Cox
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.6/10
    2.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • S.R. Bindler
    • Stars
      • Sid Allen
      • Brent Baskin
      • Greg Cox
    • 31User reviews
    • 23Critic reviews
    • 82Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:11
    Trailer

    Photos15

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster

    Top cast23

    Edit
    Sid Allen
    • Self (Longview Partnership)
    Brent Baskin
    • Contest Judge
    Greg Cox
    • Self (contestant)
    J.C. Crum
    • Self (Jack Long Nissan)
    Janis Curtis
    • Self (contestant)
    J.D. Drew
    J.D. Drew
    • Self (contestant)
    Tom Felker
    • Self (contestant)
    David Grotheim
    • Contest Judge
    Blake Long
    • Self (Jack Long Nissan)
    Kelli Mangrum
    • Self (contestant)
    Mike Marris
    • Self (judge)
    Raul Martinez
    • Self (contestant)
    Jan Maynard
    • Self (marketing director…
    Ronald McCowan
    • Self (contestant)
    Kerri Parker
    • Self (contestant)
    Benny Perkins
    • Self (1992 winner…
    Paul Prince
    • Self (contestant)
    Chris Stiles
    • Self
    • Director
      • S.R. Bindler
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews31

    7.62.6K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    9ken_mayer

    A funny visit to the extremes of the human condition

    An unexpected look at an apparently simple contest. This movie has tension, humor, insight, and heart. For so many Americans the divide between making it and failing is a working car. In a small town we see what some people will do to win a fully-loaded new pick-up truck.

    One person here commented that the film exploits the poor people in the contest. I disagree. The people are presented as rounded individuals and the film includes interviews with the main characters, showing their viewpoints and not in a condescending way. The audience will find them amusing, but the tension comes from taking the contest seriously, and therefore, we take the contestants seriously too. We laugh at the human condition.

    It's a shame this DVD is out of print. We still need this film!
    8ElijahCSkuggs

    Eye-opening doc about a simple competition.

    If you've ever wondered what it's like to be in one of those contests where you have to keep one hand on a car for as long as possible, this movie will definitely fill you in on what will go down.

    Like many other people, if I ever had the chance to participate in a contest like this, I'd probably jump at the chance. Well, after seeing this, maybe not. Depends how nice the car/truck is. Because after watching all the personalities fade away either physically or mentally, it's really an eye-opening experience, that no person should take lightly.

    You've got people from all walks of life participating. From country bumpkin folk who just desperately want to win, to past winners, to Jesus-freaks who believe the power of the one above will push them to the ultimate goal, to even waitresses and ex-marines. All are entertaining in their own right, but a few select characters, like my favorite, the black dude, who should have taken up stand-up comedy as a means of living, rule the day.

    Usually this appears to be some sort of fun, play around type contest, but the thing is, it's anything but. Backs, ankles, feet begin to hurt and eventually if you're up for over 30 hours or so, the mind begins to fade. You always knew that these types of things would occur, but to watch them is a totally different story. And I must admit, it's pretty damn funny. Watching one dude say he'll be here for a while, and then fast forward a couple hours and he appears to be on death's door.

    Hands on a Hard Body, isn't a contest for body-builders (though they may do well, if their mind is strong), but for everyday, hard-working people who want to win their hand at a brand new truck and some well-deserved respect along the way.

    If you're ever given the chance to enter one, research it a little bit because this movie definitely shows the viewer these contests aren't as easy as they appear.
    10Ysman

    The best sports movie of all time . . .

    Hollywood could not have made a thriller this compelling. This was the first "sports" movie I have ever seen where you couldn't predict the ending of the film after the first five minutes. I watched the film on video with about four others in my family. We were practically sitting on the edge of our seats near the end and we were all rooting for a different person. All of the characters were classic and the ending was perfection. This is truly a great film.
    8sibleybridges

    Existential

    I rated Hands on a Hardbody: The Documentary (1997) 8/10. The doc that started the "competition" genre of documentary. It's amazing how existential it is just trying to win a truck.
    9jellopuke

    GREAT movie

    You'll see a bit of everything in this crazy story and it's all human. So many characters, so much drama, so much insanity. You won't believe it's real, but it is and it's glorious.

    More like this

    The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
    8.0
    The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
    I Think We're Alone Now
    6.8
    I Think We're Alone Now
    Jasper Mall
    6.8
    Jasper Mall
    Carts of Darkness
    7.6
    Carts of Darkness
    Motel
    7.7
    Motel
    Spellbound
    7.6
    Spellbound
    Big River Man
    7.3
    Big River Man
    Dig!
    7.7
    Dig!
    Project Grizzly
    6.4
    Project Grizzly
    Rewind
    7.9
    Rewind
    Boy Interrupted
    7.8
    Boy Interrupted
    Vernon, Florida
    7.0
    Vernon, Florida

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In 2005, the competition was halted after one of the contestants broke into a nearby Kmart, took a shotgun from the sporting goods section, and committed suicide, which occurred during one of the breaks in the contest.
    • Quotes

      Benny Perkins - 1992 Winner: I like to get down there earlier so my odds are higher.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Bernie (2011)

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ

    • How long is Hands on a Hardbody: The Documentary?
      Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 10, 1998 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Hands on a Hard Body
    • Filming locations
      • Longview, Texas, USA
    • Production companies
      • Idea Entertainment
      • J.K. Livin Productions
      • Wessex Entertainment Group
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $563,482
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $7,607
      • Jul 12, 1998
    • Gross worldwide
      • $563,482
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 38 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Hands on a Hardbody: The Documentary (1997)
    Top Gap
    What is the English language plot outline for Hands on a Hardbody: The Documentary (1997)?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.