Pumping Iron (1977)

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