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Pumping Iron

  • 1977
  • PG
  • 1h 26m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
26K
YOUR RATING
Arnold Schwarzenegger in Pumping Iron (1977)
Watch Trailer [EN]
Play trailer1:38
1 Video
99 Photos
Sports DocumentaryDocumentarySport

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno face off in a no-holds-barred competition for the title of Mr. Olympia in this critically-acclaimed film that made Schwarzenegger a household name.Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno face off in a no-holds-barred competition for the title of Mr. Olympia in this critically-acclaimed film that made Schwarzenegger a household name.Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno face off in a no-holds-barred competition for the title of Mr. Olympia in this critically-acclaimed film that made Schwarzenegger a household name.

  • Directors
    • George Butler
    • Robert Fiore
  • Writers
    • Charles Gaines
    • George Butler
  • Stars
    • Arnold Schwarzenegger
    • Lou Ferrigno
    • Matty Ferrigno
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    26K
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • George Butler
      • Robert Fiore
    • Writers
      • Charles Gaines
      • George Butler
    • Stars
      • Arnold Schwarzenegger
      • Lou Ferrigno
      • Matty Ferrigno
    • 78User reviews
    • 42Critic reviews
    • 72Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win total

    Videos1

    Trailer [EN]
    Trailer 1:38
    Trailer [EN]

    Photos99

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    Top cast27

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    Arnold Schwarzenegger
    Arnold Schwarzenegger
    • Self
    Lou Ferrigno
    Lou Ferrigno
    • Self
    • (as Louis Ferrigno)
    Matty Ferrigno
    Matty Ferrigno
    • Self
    Victoria Ferrigno
    Victoria Ferrigno
    • Self
    Mike Katz
    Mike Katz
    • Self
    Franco Columbu
    Franco Columbu
    • Self
    Ed Corney
    Ed Corney
    • Self
    Ken Waller
    Ken Waller
    • Self
    Serge Nubret
    Serge Nubret
    • Self
    Robbie Robinson
    Robbie Robinson
    • Self
    • (as Robin Robinson)
    Marianne Claire
    • Self
    Frank Zane
    Frank Zane
    • Self
    David DuPree
    • Self
    Eddie Giuliani
    Eddie Giuliani
    • Self
    • (as Eddie Juliani)
    Danny Padilla
    Danny Padilla
    • Self
    Denny Gable
    Denny Gable
    • Self
    Roger Callard
    Roger Callard
    • Self
    Paul Grant
    Paul Grant
    • Self
    • Directors
      • George Butler
      • Robert Fiore
    • Writers
      • Charles Gaines
      • George Butler
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews78

    7.326.2K
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    Featured reviews

    9pushkarjajoria

    It takes more than muscles to be CHAMPION OF THE WORLD

    It was the most fascinating body building documentary i have ever seen.. HATS OFF TO THE GREAT ONE ..Arnold Schwarzenegger.. It is a documentary based up Arnold's training n more than that his mental thinking, Every time he gave a pose it gave me goosebumps..

    If you are a body building fanatic this is the video for u, its worth gold...

    but if u just like muscles its awesome!! its my personal promise u would'not have seen this side of Arnold in movies or previous video's..

    Simply magnificent!!

    9 out of 10
    10ariitanywhere

    Outpsyche.Outtrain.Outlast.

    Wow.Big men with big personalities. Humor, drama,passion, camaraderie. In my opinion, this is a great guy flick. Especially, if you're a gym fiend like me. I didn't have too much knowledge about Arnold's bodybuilding past,as I'm from the generation of his movie period, just like kids today are part of his political period. I grew up on Arnie, Stallone and Bruce Lee. Discovering this movie was one of the best things that happened.Thanks , IMDb :) To take a close look at the inside world of bodybuilding the way it should be, Pumping Iron delivers big time. With the Mr.Olympia contest as the center stage event, and what happens around it is the premise for this docu drama.

    Lots of inspiring moments when the champs are working out-- Arnold's massive barrel chest, Lou's young turk on the rise, Columbo's strongest man in the world angle, the modelling, the charity (Arnold kissing a jail bird and saying "Heyy, she might not have been kissed for a long time yooo knowww..").. It also shows how these Kings bonded....sharing tips (even "bad advices"), lazing on the beach, Arnie showing "little men" how to pose,spotting each other....man, reminds me of when I'm with my gym buddies. Even if you're a girl or a layman who's not into working out,this movie is good entertainment. Lots of funny quips from Arnie--my favorite being "Franco is good..but he's a child...at the day of the competition.. I am his father!" and " When I get the pump I feel like I am coming day and night, I'm in Heaven.."

    On a serious note, the anxieties, the passion, the fear and the mental armory these guys possess varies. On one side there's Lou (a big softy) and on the other end, there's good ol' Arnie; acting out the part of likable rogue to perfection.When he talks about immortality and mentions his admiration for dictators and Jesus.."yooo know, people who will be remembered for thhhouuusands of yeaars.." you know you've got a winner on your hands. Some of his quotes are outrageously funny but they also make you think. Maybe that's the true mindset of champions.

    At the end of the day, the message is that everyone is friends. And that's the bottomline. Play hard, work hard, party hard. But stay firm friends. That's how it is and that's my belief as well.Male bonding will always be something women can never understand. I love women, and I know how much a part my physique plays in it ;) but when it comes to getting "pumped" or needing a good testosterone boost(without the homosexual overtones), I prefer good solid male company to truly make me feel alive. The competition, the fun, the bonding is something only we the male of the species can share. Great stuff.Inspiring, funny and immensely entertaining. A movie with muscle, if there was one. 10 on 10.
    7pocket_rocket99

    They don't make em like they used to...

    Taking a nostalgic trip down memory lane, Pumping Iron brings a smile to ones face even if you can't understand Schwarzenegger with his thick Austrian accent.

    Pumping Iron looks at the world of body building as a competitive sport, an art, a science, and a religion. Despite his modern day success as an actor. Arnold shows us what he was truly about, a man who hungered to win, and win at what ever lengths it took.

    Unlike the unrealistic looking body builders of nowadays, these grandfathers of bodybuilding show us just what real muscle men are about. The rivalry, the pranks back stage at tournaments, the reverse psychology and the rumours they would spread to throw their fellow competitors into disarray.

    There was scepticism as to whether most of the content of this movie was scripted or performed ad-lib. One get the impression it's a bit of both especially when you see a very young Lou Ferrigno throw a tantrum infront of his father Matty and telling him he's "gonna beat'im" (Arnold that is) to become the next Mr. Olympia.

    Overall, it's one film to watch as a motivator, study guide to understand the psyche of iron pumpers and to note how Joe Weider marketed talents such as Arnold, Lou Ferrigno and Franco Columbu, immortalising them into the world of body building. 6.8/10
    10srobi280

    Simply the best

    Pumping Iron is simply the best movie about bodybuilding to date. It is a docu-drama, starring some of the top bodybuilders of 1975. The truth is, the drama in this movie was created to make it look exciting. The tension between Arnold and Ferrigno was hyped up, the time when Waller hides Katz's T-shirt was exaggerated, the way Arnold portrays himself as having no emotions is made up, etc. The directors and the bodybuilders really did a great job at creating extra tension. If we just watched a bunch of guys lift weights for 90 minutes, then it would be boring. This added some excitement. The only part that wasn't touched was the parts with the competitions. The bodybuilders were so used to the crew, that they didn't even notice the camera crew was there. Therefore, people get a real straightforward, honest view of what the bodybuilding world is like. Anyone who is a bodybuilder, or is into weightlifting needs to see this movie at least once. Being a person who lifts weights religiously, I watch a segment of it each time before I go to the gym. It is a really great motivational tool.
    8grolt

    Arnold Exposed

    Everyone has seen the Austrian Oak's massive body, but "Pumping Iron" reveals the man behind the muscles. It is a compelling look at one of the most famous American icons in history. Arnold demonstrates a determination and confidence that has obviously propelled him to the superstar status he obtains today. The documentary is true and realistic, like all great documentaries of the 70's, and it provides a captivating window into the bodybuilding world. Although a true story, it manages to be intense and suspenseful during the final rounds of the Mr. Olympia competition. Will it be Lou Ferrigno or Arnold? Although most people probably already know the answer, getting to that conclusion is all the fun. A must see!

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    Related interests

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    Sport

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Arnold Schwarzenegger admitted that he had made up several stories in the movie for attention because the producers told him that without drama it would be boring. One of the stories made up was the fact that he did not attend his father's funeral because of a body building competition that was going to happen in a couple of months. Arnold did actually attend his father's funeral and spoke to him shortly before he passed.
    • Quotes

      [continuing about The Pump]

      Arnold Schwarzenegger: It's as satisfying to me as, uh, coming is, you know? As, ah, having sex with a woman and coming. And so can you believe how much I am in heaven? I am like, uh, getting the feeling of coming in a gym, I'm getting the feeling of coming at home, I'm getting the feeling of coming backstage when I pump up, when I pose in front of 5,000 people, I get the same feeling, so I am coming day and night. I mean, it's terrific. Right? So you know, I am in heaven.

    • Crazy credits
      Our thanks to: Protection by "Chula"
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Special Show: Flex, Sex and Pecs (1985)
    • Soundtracks
      Pumping Iron Song
      Music and Lyrics by Michael Small

      Sung by Joey Ward

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    FAQ17

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 23, 1977 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Hombres de acero
    • Filming locations
      • Pretoria, South Africa
    • Production companies
      • Rollie Robinson
      • White Mountain Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $403
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 26m(86 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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