Pumping Iron II: The Women (1985)

"Pumping Iron," the film that turned the obscure sport of male bodybuilding into an overnight phenomenon and made Arnold Schwarzenegger a star, broke the ground. Now, experience PUMPING ... See full summary »

Director:

George Butler

Writers:

George Butler (book), George Butler (screenplay),

Stars:

Kris Alexander, Lori Bowen, Lydia Cheng

Cast

Credited cast:
Kris Alexander
Lori Bowen	...	Herself
Lydia Cheng	...	Herself
Carla Dunlap
Bev Francis	...	Herself
Rachel McLish	...	Herself
Steve Michalik
George Plimpton	...	Himself
Randy Rice	...	Himself
Clark Sanchez	...	Judge
Steve Weinberger

Storyline

"Pumping Iron," the film that turned the obscure sport of male bodybuilding into an overnight phenomenon and made Arnold Schwarzenegger a star, broke the ground. Now, experience PUMPING IRON II: THE WOMEN, a film that is changing the way the world views the female physique-creating "a new definition of the female form." Join four women as they prepare for the 1983 Caesars Palace World Cup Championship: the sultry and curvaceous Rachel McLish, the current champion; the almost manly, super-muscular Bev Francis, Rachel's toughest competition; and newcomers Lori Bowen and Carla Dunlap. Four women who have devoted their lives to the pursuit of their conception of the "perfect" female form, spending grueling hours torturing themselves on Nautilus machines and browning themselves under tanning lamps. Learn their personal struggles and public triumphs that make up their unique world as they struggle both with their bodies' limitations and the world's limitations on what that body ought to ...

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Plot Keywords:

female bodybuilder | sequel | female athlete | sexploitation | cult film | 

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Taglines:

A Story of Strength, Desire, Courage... and a New Definition of Woman.

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Genres:

Documentary | Sport

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 May 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kulturystki

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bar Belle, Gym Tech, Pumping Iron

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Follows Pumping Iron (1977)

User Reviews

Spinal Tap in a Gym

I managed to catch this movie on cinemax or something one day at a weird time. It is awful (in a very addictive, bad 80's movie type of way) for the following reasons:

1) See Rachel McLish (sp?), the most self centered, arrogant egotist in the world caught on film talking about the Bible and Jesus constantly while she uses sex to win judges' votes. This woman is just too bizarre for words.

2) See some poor steroid addled woman talk about how she is redefining feminity with her huge (and I mean gigantic) manly shape and facial acne (no doubt caused by excessive use of steroids)!

3) See bad 80's workout gear! :o

3) See the touching supportive relationship between one of these women (name forgotten) whose husband works as a male dancer to support her budding bodybuilding career!

There is so much wrong with this movie you just can't tear yourself away (sort of like watching a car accident in progress). Particularly amusing is the combination workout/shower scene with Rachel and her "posse" - it verges on soft porn.

But in the end you realize just how sad all of these women are, and you try to stop laughing - though it doesn't work. It really is Spinal Tap in a Gym. I thought the movie was a comedy when I first started watching it.