Pumping Iron

19771977
PGPG
1h 26m

Pumping Iron (1977)

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Documentary Sport

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno face off in a no-holds-barred competition for the title of Mr. Olympia in this critically-acclaimed film that made Schwarzenegger a household name.Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno face off in a no-holds-barred competition for the title of Mr. Olympia in this critically-acclaimed film that made Schwarzenegger a household name.Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno face off in a no-holds-barred competition for the title of Mr. Olympia in this critically-acclaimed film that made Schwarzenegger a household name.

Directors
- George Butler
- Robert Fiore
Writers
- Charles Gaines(book "Pumping Iron")
- George Butler(book "Pumping Iron")
Stars

See production, box office & company info

See more at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win

Videos1

Trailer [EN]

Arnold Schwarzenegger at an event for Pumping Iron (1977)

Arnold Schwarzenegger in Pumping Iron (1977)

Arnold Schwarzenegger in Pumping Iron (1977)

Arnold Schwarzenegger in Pumping Iron (1977)

Pumping Iron (1977)

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bud Cort in Pumping Iron (1977)

Arnold Schwarzenegger in Pumping Iron (1977)

Arnold Schwarzenegger in Pumping Iron (1977)

Arnold Schwarzenegger in Pumping Iron (1977)

Arnold Schwarzenegger in Pumping Iron (1977)

Arnold Schwarzenegger in Pumping Iron (1977)

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno, and Serge Nubret in Pumping Iron (1977)

Directors
- George Butler
- Robert Fiore
Writers
- Charles Gaines(book "Pumping Iron")
- George Butler(book "Pumping Iron") (conception)
All cast & crew
See more cast details at IMDbPro

From Gold's Gym in Venice Beach, California, to the showdown in Pretoria, amateur and professional bodybuilders prepare for the 1975 Mr. Olympia and Mr. Universe contests, in this part-scripted, part-documentary film. The five-time champion, Arnold Schwarzenegger, defends his Mr. Olympia title against Serge Nubret and the shy young deaf, Lou Ferrigno, whose father is his coach; the ruthless champ psyches out the young lion. Sardinian Franco Columbu competes in the lightweight class; at home in Italy, he solves a tight parking problem by lifting the car into place. Joe Weider is the marketer; Mike Katz and Ken Waller go for the title of Mr. Universe. Bodybuilding and a celebrity-to-be go mainstream. —Nick Riganas

ego beefcake speedo man in swimsuit male underwear 66 more

Trivia
Arnold Schwarzenegger admitted that he had made up several stories in the movie for attention because the producers told him that without drama it would be boring. One of the stories made up was the fact that he did not attend his father's funeral because of a body building competition that was going to happen in a couple of months. Arnold did actually attend his father's funeral and spoke to him shortly before he passed.

Quotes
[continuing about The Pump]
Arnold Schwarzenegger: It's as satisfying to me as, uh, coming is, you know? As, ah, having sex with a woman and coming. And so can you believe how much I am in heaven? I am like, uh, getting the feeling of coming in a gym, I'm getting the feeling of coming at home, I'm getting the feeling of coming backstage when I pump up, when I pose in front of 5,000 people, I get the same feeling, so I am coming day and night. I mean, it's terrific. Right? So you know, I am in heaven.

Crazy credits
Our thanks to: Protection by "Chula"

Connections
Featured in At the Movies: Special Show: Flex, Sex and Pecs (1985)

Soundtracks
Pumping Iron Song
Music and Lyrics by Michael Small
Sung by Joey Ward

Top review

10/10

Unbelievable!!

I first saw this movie my freshmen year of high school, and after the first ten minutes of the movie I was sucked into a strange, new, world...And I liked it. This film is great, it has all the makings of a great movie (Arnold is a great heel) but yet it is a documentary. Pumping Iron takes you backstage, into the gyms, and into the mind of the competitors. The only weak part of the film is the focus on Mike Katz going for the amateur Mr. Universe, however Ken Waller shines in this part. Also look for the future Incredible Hulk, Lou Ferrigno as the new up-and-coming bodybuilder. I cannot praise this movie enough, its changed my life. I watch this movie all the time, I've read Arnold's Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding, and am training to be a bodybuilder. This movie is great for anyone looking for inspiration! 10 out of 10

helpful•18

4

RobertPaulson
Oct 21, 2002

Release date
- June 23, 1977 (France)
Country of origin
- United States
Language
- English
Also known as
- Hombres de acero
Filming locations
- Pretoria, South Africa
Production companies
- Rollie Robinson
- White Mountain Films
See more company credits at IMDbPro

Runtime
1 hour 26 minutes
Color
- Color
Sound mix
- Mono
Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1

George Butler, ‘Pumping Iron’ Co-Director, Dies at 78

George Butler, ‘Pumping Iron’ Co-Director, Dies at 78

Oct 30The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV

George Butler, ‘Pumping Iron’ Director, Dies at 78

George Butler, ‘Pumping Iron’ Director, Dies at 78

Oct 30Variety Film + TV

Pumping Iron (1977)

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By what name was Pumping Iron (1977) officially released in Canada in English?

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