Below the Belt (1980) User Reviews

Not a bad movie, but "All The Marbles" still reigns supreme

[gridoon2024 · 6/10 · 23 August 2008]

I picked this movie up mainly because I love female wrestling. From that perspective, I have to report that I was somewhat disappointed: although it shows some great moves here and there, "Below The Belt" does not contain nearly as much wrestling action as I expected. Even the final showdown is more of a ring brawl than a wrestling match. Most of the time the film is focused on painting a particularly unglamorous portrait of the "life on the road" of an independent pro-wrestling troupe, and although a lot of it feels real, there are a few too many songs on the soundtrack and a few too many traveling shots. Fortunately, our female lead Regina Baff is able to carry the movie with a winning performance; she is also VERY attractive in an everywoman sort of way (a woman does not need to have Playboy-model looks to be attractive), and seems to have done all of her wrestling stunts herself. "Below The Belt" is worth a look for anyone interested in the subject, but "All The Marbles" is still the king of this limited sub-genre. (**1/2)

All The Marbles Is Still The Best

[rbswrds · 6/10 · 19 July 2021]

When I watched this the first time I came to three conclusions:1. Warner Bros was in holding this in the vault for six years as it would've been laughed at and out of the theaters.2.A movie "So bad it's good".and 3. A grim reminder of what happens when you let women into women's wrestling based more on looks than actual skill. Rosa Rubinsky here is a major departure from her book counterpart in "To Smithereens."She's not a laid back type who's got layers. Rather she seems more like a nervous nellie type who makes only one expression for most of the movie until she wins her debut match which is the main event of the movie too. The other women wrestlers were so bland that you'll forget who's who in mere seconds. The only one who stands out is Jane O'Brien as Terrible Tommy Dukes. The movie should've focused on her as an ex con getting out of prison and going into wrestling. Let's face it,it's hard to believe a barely five feet tall,100 lb woman could wrestle and beat a more experienced woman wrestler who outsizes and outweighs her. This all aside I still find it amusing enough to recommend for the sake of Tommy wrestling Princess War Star,a real wrestler like O'Brien and the main event. It's a movie good for some laughs which we all need nowadays.

Depressing Slice of Life

[Jimbo-96 · 4/10 · 21 January 2000]

Interesting film of a depressing topic. A troupe of wrestlers, mostly unattractive women, travel from small town to small town earning peanuts. This is not the major leagues as seen on TV today. In some regards, the film is realistic, but not when they feature matches presented as legit (wrestling slang for real). Therefore, if they are going to backslide on reality, how about casting the lead as a sexy lady wrestler. Wouldn't improve the movie any, but would make me be more inclined to watch this film again. The film "Unholy Rollers" is a comparable film (not as depressing) and did feature a sexy leading lady. I am unsure as to the extent of the popularity of wrestling when this film was released in 1980. This film was not popular at all and is rarely seen, then and now. I gave it a 4 (on a 10 scale).

Decent Watch For Friday And Saturday Nights

[robt-42096 · 6/10 · 11 October 2022]

If I were asked what wrestling movie is my favorite I'd say All The Marbles as it's the best one ever made regarding women's wrestling. Second best would be American Angels: Baptism Of Blood regardless of it being over the top at certain times as if trying to be cartoonish. Below The Belt though seems to alternate back and fourth from being serious to cartoonish. Like this barely five foot tall woman would be interested in wrestling much less get a world title shot as her first match. It came across as laughable to me. The movie should've focused more on Tommy Dukes, Rosa's opponent. Still an okay movie to watch.

I found the film exciting and realistic.

[jakestone · 8/10 · 22 September 2006]

Nice film, I liked it well enough to buy a copy to add to my collection. I enjoyed the realism the film conveyed. Some of my favorite performances were by Shirley Stoler, K.C.Townsend,Titi Paris, Regina Baff and Dolph Sweet. I found the music score very exiting and it seemed to compliment the film. Sierra Pecheur was interesting,as well as Annie McGreevey. Actress Billie Mahoney was interesting as was Jane O'Brien.I would like to comment a little about Mildred Burke. She was a pioneer in the sport of wrestling, and a world champion in her time. All in all an enjoyable film well worth seeing again. It is interesting to note actress Titi Paris is a professional wrestler and judo black belt. She is also responsible for getting Ladies Wrestling legalized in New York State.

Surprisingly good

[misshambone-581-998467 · 8/10 · 19 May 2013]

Gritty, great crowd shots, remarkable music, authentic characters. This is what the middle of the night is for: finds like this movie. Birmin'AlabamaHam just one of the musical treats. Hard to watch some scenes, but this view of America "behind the scenes" is unusual and loaded with great color, genuine dialogue and wonderful road trip post card view of America that's not mainstream or middle class, but working and driving and the same kind of self-reflection you might find in a movie like Metropolitan only on the road in a half- empty stadium in Talahassee. Different authors quoted, different food eaten, different "coifs", the furniture the back seat of a 64 station wagon instead of a penthouse, but every bit as rich and full. I am wowed.

Below the Belt

[schizophreniabloddygoth · 8/10 · 6 October 2014]

Yes this movie was made in 1974 and released in 1980 and yes the actress did get bigger through out the time it was all part of the plot she started off small and through out the years filming she got bigger haha it was all part of the role, the movie its self is pretty epic but the girl Anne who played the Beautiful Boomerang should of came back near the end just to say you made it or something I don't know lol Totally would of loved a Second movie. I gave this movie 8/10 as a professional rating but as a personal rating i give it 10/10 haha i just like it it could of been more the catchy little songs haha are cute haha

Great, if only for Regina Baff's performance

[morrisonhimself · 8/10 · 8 December 2012]

Not ordinarily the kind of film I would like or praise -- as other reviewers have said, it's rather depressing -- I actually liked "Below the Belt" very much, primarily because of the superb performance by the beautiful Regina Baff.

I really can't understand why she hasn't starred in more movies. She has looks, including a fascinating and unusual face that is sensitive and looks vulnerable, a great figure, and gorgeous legs.

Plus, she was athletic enough in this movie to handle the strenuous wrestling scenes.

All the players were so realistic, the film seemed almost a documentary some of the time.

Having known some similar wrestlers in my time, working as a TV station camera operator, I could accept this as a realistic slice-of-life film about some slice-of-life people. They deserved our sympathy, in part because they were so human, in part because they had not tried hard enough to avoid being in a rut, defined a long time ago as "a grave with the ends removed."

All the actors were professionals, very believable; the directing was generally very good, and the cinematography was great.

I wish there were more chances to see Regina Baff. What a superlative woman, and what a wonderful actor.