THE WRESTLER

US, 1974, 95 minutes, Colour.
Billy Robinson, Edward Asner, Elaine Giftos.
Directed by James A. Westman.

The Wrestler is only for those who enjoy the sport of wrestling.

The film is advertised as Karate Killers versus Wrestling Champs. In fact, the plot is the familiar one of the man of integrity who loves the sport and tries to make it the best possible, and especially clean and not fixed, confronts a mixture of gangsters and double-dealers who are interested only in the money. This character is played by Edward Asner, popular from many television series and television movies. In the supporting cast are a lot of popular wrestlers of the 1970s playing themselves.

This means that while there is a basic plot, a familiar one, there are a number of bouts for the wrestling fans – who, in the us, are quite numerous. As with all wrestling matches, the characters themselves are highly theatrical, the choreography all arranged, artificial thrills and violence for the audiences.

1. How interesting a film about wrestling? Was it enjoyable? The impact for wrestling fans, for non-fans?

2. The quality of the plot, the filming techniques?

3. The sequences of wrestling? Their impact? The explanation of wrestling as an old sport, its traditions, the nature of its moves, its rules? The portrayal of violence, and its look? The possibility of injury and death? The pros and cons of wrestling? The difference between professional wrestling and amateur?

4. The wrestlers themselves: Mike an a heroic wrestler, the young man up and coming? The dumb wrestlers The showmen? The ironic TV interviews?

5. The portrayal of the crowds and the public that follow wrestling?

6. Frank Bass as the main character for the film? His work as a promoter, as a person, as his friendship with Mike, the meetings he attended, the personal threats and violence, his friendship with his secretary? How did this give a focus of interest for the wrestling film?

7. How attractive the secretary? Her loyalty to Frank, to Mike, her work in promotion, her helping of Frank?

8. The importance of Mike being sympathetic for the audience to understand wrestling? Wrestling as his way of life, the apprehensions of his wife, retirement, the training, the holding of camps for police boys, amateur wrestlers etc.?

9. The portrayal of the reporters? Their interest in and lack of interest in wrestling?

10. How real a film did this seem? The value of this kind of film as an apologia for wrestling, especially for those who do not like it?