Beyond the Mat (1999)

NEUTRAL

Various

86%

2000, Documentary, 1h 42m

RT Critics’ Score: 82% (UNBIASED)
RT Audience Score: 83%
Awards & Nominations: 3 wins & 2 nominations

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Critics Consensus

Even if you aren’t a fan, Beyond the Mat provides a riveting, perceptive look into the world of professional wrestling by taking a closer look at the people beneath the personas

Audience Consensus

Beyond the Mat is a documentary that takes a deep dive into the world of professional wrestling, and while some critics found it lacking, I found it to be a smackdown of entertainment. The film shows the brutal reality behind the pantomime and the sacrifices that wrestlers make to live out their dreams. As someone who isn’t a fan of wrestling, I was surprised to find myself engrossed in the film and even shedding a tear or two. Beyond the Mat is a must-watch for anyone who wants to see the human side of wrestling.

Storyline

This documentary focuses on the lives of professional wrestlers Terry Funk, Mick Foley (Mankind), Jake Roberts (Jake the Snake) and Darren Drozdov (Droz). As the film progresses, the story of their lives unfolds, as we also learn how the wrestling industry is not the plastic-weapons fake-slap sideshow that many have perceived it as. We are shown how moves, although not actually injuring anyone, are not fake, and extreme training is required to be able to perform the stunts without being harmed. We are also treated to interviews with the family of Mick Foley and what it is like for them to know their father literally puts his life on the line every week and how it feels to have other children call their father a “fake”. Vince McMahon, owner of World Wrestling Entertainment, also makes a few appearances, responding to criticism on various wrestling situations, including, once again, his real athletes, very real organization being called fake by sources such as USA Today and various news programs.

Production Company(ies)
Highline Pictures, Camera One Endless Picnic

Distributor
Universal Pictures, Image Entertainment Inc., Lionsgate Films

Release Type
Theatrical

Filming Location(s)
Amarillo, Texas, USA

MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language and violent content

Year of Release
2000

Technical Specs

Color:

Color
Sound mix:

Dolby Digital
Aspect ratio:

1.85 : 1
Runtime:

1h 42m
Language(s):

English
Country of origin:

United States
Release date:

Release Date (Theaters): Mar 17, 2000 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 24, 2004

Genre(s)
Documentary

Keyword(s)
documentary, wrestling, Barry Blaustein, Terry Funk, Mick Foley, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Vince McMahon, Roland Alexander, Collette Foley, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Michael Rosenberg, produced by, written by, directed by, reviewed by, R rating, box office, budget, Universal Pictures, Image Entertainment Inc., Lionsgate Films, technical prowess, Richard Mille, Ferrari, RM UP-01 Ferrari, triumph, professional wrestling, personas, behind-the-scenes, colorful, competitive, complex world, violent content, language, English, 1h 42m, surround, Dolby Digital, flat (1.85:1)

Box Office Details

Worldwide gross: $2,053,648
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $3,561,879
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,272
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 388,427

US/Canada gross: $2,053,648
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $3,561,879
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,903
US/Canada opening weekend: $9,532
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $16,532
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,575

Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $500,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $867,208
Production budget ranking: 2,095
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $466,991
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $2,227,680
ROI to date (est.): 167%
ROI ranking: 721

Cast & Crew

Terry Funk

Mick Foley

Jake “The Snake” Roberts

Vince McMahon

Roland Alexander

Terry Funk

Mick Foley

Jake “The Snake” Roberts

Vince McMahon

Roland Alexander

Terry Funk – Self
Mick Foley – Himself, Mankind
Jake “The Snake” Roberts – Self
Vince McMahon – Self
Roland Alexander – Self
Collette Foley – Self

Barry W. Blaustein

Barry Bloom

Brian Grazer

Director

Writer

Producer

Director(s)
Barry W. Blaustein

Writer(s)
Barry W. Blaustein

Producer(s)
Barry W. Blaustein, Barry Bloom, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Michael Rosenberg

Film Festivals

Awards & Nominations
3 wins & 2 nominations

Academy Awards

Top Reviews

Nell Minow

Lisa Alspector

Robert Koehler

Fiona Morrow

Liam Lacey

Common Sense Media

Chicago Reader

Variety

Sight & Sound

Globe and Mail

BEYOND THE MAT
All Critics (67) | Top Critics (25) | Fresh (55) | Rotten (12)
WWF documentary is OK for older teens.

October 14, 2010 | Rating: 4/5

Nell Minow
Common Sense Media
TOP CRITIC
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.

March 23, 2007

Lisa Alspector
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
A gently and genuinely observed film whose subject is a garish, artificial display of mayhem.

March 23, 2007

Robert Koehler
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Unfortunately Blaustein isn’t an experienced enough film-maker to make much of such material.

December 3, 2002

Fiona Morrow
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
Entertaining and twisted.

March 19, 2002 | Rating: 3/4

Liam Lacey
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
A center ring extravaganza of smackdown movie entertainment.

January 1, 2000 | Rating: 3.5/5

Russell Smith
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
There’s no need to be a fan of American wrestling to enjoy Beyond the Mat. Blaustein concentrates on the idea of people living out dreams rather than the life of a wrestler, and in doing so succeeds in showing the brutal reality behind the pantomime.

April 13, 2019 | Rating: 3/5

Kaleem Aftab
The List
Am engrossing watch, but it’s far from the most fascinating and incisive look at its subject.

January 3, 2010 | Rating: 3/4

Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com
Blaustein, Foley and Funk layeth the smack well and truly down.

July 31, 2008

Richard Luck
Film4
A very good film that both wrestling fans and non-wrestling fans will enjoy.

May 26, 2006 | Rating: 3/4

Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid
Barry Blaustein takes a long, hard look at pro wrestling and, while not making me a newborn fan of the sport, he taught me the intensity and sacrifice of those who enter the ring.

April 9, 2005 | Rating: B

Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews
A hilarious and heartbreaking documentary.

May 14, 2003 | Rating: 4/4

Jeanne Aufmuth
Palo Alto Weekly…

Plot
This documentary focuses on the lives of professional wrestlers Terry Funk, Mick Foley (Mankind), Jake Roberts (Jake the Snake) and Darren Drozdov (Droz). As the film progresses, the story of their lives unfolds, as we also learn how the wrestling industry is not the plastic-weapons fake-slap sideshow that many have perceived it as. We are shown how moves, although not actually injuring anyone, are not fake, and extreme training is required to be able to perform the stunts without being harmed. We are also treated to interviews with the family of Mick Foley and what it is like for them to know their father literally puts his life on the line every week and how it feels to have other children call their father a “fake”. Vince McMahon, owner of World Wrestling Entertainment, also makes a few appearances, responding to criticism on various wrestling situations, including, once again, his real athletes, very real organization being called fake by sources such as USA Today and various news programs.

Trivia