Documentaries are almost always more interesting if the filmmakers fess up about their relationship to the subject, as unabashed pro-wrestling fan Barry Blaustein does in this naively made, compelling homage to the sport.
Beyond the Mat
The Movie Vince McMahon Doesn't Want You to See.
1999 · 1h 42m · R
Documentary
Directed by
Barry W. Blaustein
Free account saves your watchlist and ratings.
Beyond the Mat
Overview
A heartfelt documentary focusing on the day-to-day lives of professional wrestlers, some on the rise, some on the wane, and others fighting for their lives.
Director and cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
A gently and genuinely observed film whose subject is a garish, artificial display of mayhem.
Entertaining and twisted.
Blaustein's documentary about championship wrestling is as voyeuristic, artificial and perversely compelling as the sport itself.
Beyond the Mat wants to blend thrills and pathos, getting at the many sides of what is, as Mr. Blau stein describes it, a carny act. The problem is that he doesn't articulate any of his own thoughts beyond a few slight asides.
More films
You Cannot Kill David Arquette (2020)
Documentary · R
Following his infamous championship as part of a marketing stunt for the film Ready to Rumble, David Arquette is widely known as the most hated man in pro-wrestling worldwide. Nearly 20 years after he "won" the initial title, through ups and downs in his career, with his family, and with his struggles with addiction, David Arquette see...
- Runtime
- 1h 30m
- Director
- David Darg, Price James
- Cast
- David Arquette, Richmond Arquette, Patricia Arquette
My Mom Jayne (2025)
Documentary · TV-MA
Through deeply personal interviews with her siblings and an examination of the photographs, letters, and belongings left behind, Mariska assembles a new portrait of her mother Jayne Mansfield, an extraordinary and complex woman.
- Runtime
- 1h 46m
- Director
- Mariska Hargitay
- Cast
- Jayne Mansfield, Jayne Marie Mansfield, Mickey Hargitay Jr.
Biggie & Tupac (2002)
Documentary · Music · R
In 1997, rap superstars Tupac Shakur and Christopher Wallace (aka Biggie Smalls, The Notorious B.I.G.) were gunned down in separate incidents, the apparent victims of hip hop's infamous east-west rivalry. Nick Broomfield's film introduces Russell Poole, an ex-cop with damning evidence that suggests the LAPD deliberately fumbled the cas...
- Runtime
- 1h 47m
- Director
- Nick Broomfield
- Cast
- Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., Russell Poole
The Curse of the Dragon (1993)
Documentary · R
A 1993 documentary film about Bruce Lee. The film includes interviews from some of his fellow students and opponents who worked alongside him in his movies.
- Runtime
- 1h 27m
- Director
- Fred Weintraub, Tom Kuhn
- Cast
- George Takei, Chuck Norris, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Snow (1963)
Documentary · N/A
Comprising train and track footage quickly shot just before a heavy winter's snowfall was melting, the multi-award-winning classic that emerged from the cutting-room compresses British Rail's dedication to blizzard-battling into a thrilling eight-minute montage cut to music. Tough-as-boots workers struggling to keep the line clear are ...
- Runtime
- 8m
- Director
- Geoffrey Jones
Rail (1967)
Documentary · N/A
"Rail" captures British Railways at a major turning-point in its history. In certain respects, this was a period of considerable upheaval and loss. There was a facing-up to the increasing need for a big modernisation drive. Full and speedy electrification, or the wider promotion of diesel-power on remaining lines, became a matter of to...
- Runtime
- 14m
- Director
- Geoffrey Jones










Comments
Talk about the film with other members