Pumping Iron II: The Women [DVD]

In any athletic field, the most watched female athletes are those who have a distinct physical presence. Just being good at your sport may allow you to win medals but you won't get much popular or media attention. This historic documentary highlights why this became a huge issue back in the 1980s when women's bodybuilding just started to take off. Rachel McLish was considered the favourite for the Caesars Palace World Cup Championship. She was very toned, lightly muscled and considered very attractive by most people. Bev Francis was an Australian powerlifting champion who shocked people wherever she went because she was so muscular. Everybody agreed that she had bigger muscles than anybody else but where there was disagreement was whether it was "aesthetic" for a women to be that heavily muscled. Bev comes across as very honest, dedicated, outspoken and caring, something you would expect when you see her. Lori Bowen was a Rachel McLish fan, so much so that she actually looked a lot like her. She and her boyfriend (who is a go-go dancer) dream that she will win big. She is from an economically depressed background and you get the feeling she has struggled for whatevr she got. Carla Dunlap is very well muscled, although not as big as Bev. She comes across as a very intelligent, outspoken woman, the type you would see in a unversity classroom arguing with her professor about an issue in metaphysics. I won't tell you who wins because that would spoil the movie but let me tell you why I gave it 3 stars. It explores the issue of sexualizing women in the sport of bodybuilding and at the same time tries to educate the viewer about the sport. Although it does fairly well at both tasks, the two different lens that are applied tend to make the final product less effective. Is it about women and their objectification in bodybuilding - something that continues today ? Or is it just a story of the competitors ? Or does it try to educate viewers about bodybuilding as a sport for women. In the end although you would have learned a little about each part, you are not quite sure.

This short documentary explores the world of competitive female bodybuilding during the early 1980's. This film is true to the era with heavy makeup, spandex, bad hair and a moonwalk included during a posing routine. The film ponders the the level of acceptable muscularity that a woman should posess and examines the judging of a competitor who at the time was bigger than any other woman who ever stood on the competitive stage -- Australian power lifter Bev Francis. By current standards, Bev would fit right in and might actually be on the small side as compared to other female professional bodybuilders, but by 1983's standards, she was considered a freak. Neither the judges nor the competitors could come to a consensus about the ideal. The first Ms. Olympia Rachel McLish was more along the lines of what the public expected of female bodybuilders -- sleek, with some definition and feminine. McLish and the others look more like today's fitness competitors. Carla Dunlap had considerable size, but was still smaller than Francis who she said "Has muscularity that most men would envy."Female bodybuilding is still a fringe activity, and this film shows some of what the pioneers endured in the early days. And much like today, the officials and trainers are mostly male.I enjoyed this movie for its camp value, but it's also a nice history lesson for female physique competitors.

The female perspective of Bodybuilding. Really good movie. Very old school, though. when are they going to update the movie to get the modern day woman's perspective, such as routines, workouts, and the before & after activities during competition seasons.

I rated it 4 stars for used condition.It plays well, no glitches.It is a part of womens history and I am glad to have a copy.

Arrived fast and as described

this follows a collection of gals in training as they prepare to travel to las vegas to appear in female body building competition. shows judges debating over what they are actually looking for? is it body building? miss america? miss fit? sickening to watch the judges as they even get tangled up in outfit selection, seems like they are judging gymnastics/ice skating, meanwhile these women are putting on pose downs that they have worked for years to accomplish. one gal looks like she could be she hulk, amazing.

Being a female bodybuilder, I wanted this video BAD!! I must've watched it 10 times now. The only this is I wish they would've shown what their diets were like leading up the the competition. Otherwise, great movie!

First of all I competed in professional women’s bodybuilding and I have been competing it since 1984 and stopped competing in 1994. So these are the ladies that I looked up to when I started bodybuilding. It’s a great part of history. You used to be able to watch this video for free on YouTube, but they have taken most of the clips down. Now you can only find this movie here on Amazon? And are you kidding me with this price? $279??? Just another corporate with their hands in the Publix pockets making us pay for history. but they have to look at themselves in the mirror each morning. I would recommend bookstores, flea markets etc. And if you get a copy put it back up on YouTube. Lol