Pumping Iron: The 25th Anniversary Special Edition

Guaranteed to pump viewers up, George Butler's 1977 documentary offers a time capsule look at Arnold Schwarzenegger, the man who would parlay his legendary status as a six-time bodybuilding champion into first Hollywood, and then (incredibly) political, stardom. Ah-nold is the most fascinating subject on view in this engaging look at the Mr. Olympiad competition, a title he won five times running. Pumping Iron chronicles Schwarzenegger's last competition before retiring from the sport he helped put on the map: confident and charismatic, the Man Who Would Be Governor, then 28, employs all manner of mind games and dirty tricks (that one hopes do not spill over into his gubernatorial leadership) in pursuit of a sixth title. His chief competition is a pre-Hulk Lou Ferrigno, who has the physical muscle, but lacks the mental toughness needed to defeat his rival. This 25th anniversary "special edition" DVD release really flexes its muscles with a strong set of extras, including a 42-minute retrospective “making of” documentary, a 14-minute featurette on Pumping Iron's impact on Hollywood and the fitness industry, and a 2003 interview with Schwarzenegger, in which he backpedals from his more provocative statements and behavior onscreen. Recommended. (D. Liebenson)