Pumping Iron is an American Documentary directed by George Butler and Robert Fiore that follows Arnold Schwarzenegger and a large cast of fellow athletes training and competing in the sport of Bodybuilding. Reigning champion Arnold is preparing for the 1975 Mr. Olympia competition confident that he’s going to defend his title for yet another consecutive year, but a new underdog named Lou Ferrigno hopes to knock him off the throne.
The movie also features Mike Katz, Franco Columbu, Ed Corney, Ken Waller, and Serge Nubret.
It was released on January 18, 1977.
This documentary contains examples of:
- The '70s: Takes place in 1975.
- As Himself: Schwarzenegger, Ferringo and other body builders appear as themselves in the movie.
- Dramatization: It's not an entirely factual documentary, some subplots and details were made up to add more drama to the film. For instance, while Ferrigno was an amazing bodybuilder, it was widely accepted that he did not have a serious shot at beating Arnold for Mr. Olympia. Arnold and the producers also added the bit about the missing towel to make Arnold come off as more of a Manipulative Bastard; they just took some footage of a bodybuilder who misplaced his towel and then added a Confession Cam where Arnold (falsely) claims that he will use such methods to gaslight his competition.
- It Amused Me: Arnold says that sometimes other bodybuilders ask him how he trains in the hope of replicating his successful results, and he’ll mess with them by telling them he trains way more or way less than he actually does. Then they’ll either overtrain or undertrain and wonder why Arnold’s advice doesn’t work for them. This may have the bonus of reducing Arnold’s competition, but mainly he just thinks it’s funny.
- Just Like Making Love: One of the most well-known bits is when Arnold Schwarzenegger compares "the pump", an inflation and tightening of the muscles brought about by blood pumping into them during exercise, to cumming during sex.
- Mundane Utility: Franco Columbu uses his prodigious strength to manhandle a car into a tight parking spot.
- Real Men Wear Pink: Arnold and Franco learn ballet at one point to help with their movements between poses. They take it completely seriously and show their instructor a lot of respect.
- Say My Name: Lou Ferrigno starts shouting "ARNOLD! ARNOLD! ARNOLD! ARNOLD!" with each rep during a lift.
