The legendary wrestling documentary Hitman Hart: Wrestling With Shadows has just turned ten. To commemorate this anniversary, the movie is being released on DVD with a bonus disc including two interviews and a documentary entitled The Life and Death of Owen Hart.
The Main Feature
For those unfamiliar with this movie, a film crew followed
Bret Hart around for a year. Instead of just a year in the life of Bret Hart, the filmmakers captured the most controversial episode in wrestling history. The year covered by this movie was scheduled to be the first year of Bret's recently signed new 20-year deal with the WWE. Instead, it turned out to be a look at the final year of his tenure with the company.
The movie follows all the behind-the scenes turmoil that led up to "The Montreal Screwjob". Unbelievable footage from that night is the highlight of this DVD as we see what really happened before, during, and after the match.
Does the Movie Hold Up 10 Years Later?
It is even more fascinating today than it was 10 years ago. With the truth about the event finally coming out, it is even more interesting to see the web of lies unfold. Most interesting in all of this is knowing of the changes Shawn has made in his life. While he is a devout Christian now, hearing Shawn lie while swearing to God he is telling the truth is compelling footage.
If I reviewed this movie 10 years ago, I would have given it five-stars and it still gets that rating today. It is the most fascinating movie about wrestling ever made and provides a view behind-the-curtain that hasn't been seen before or after this. Every wrestling fans needs to see this movie.
How are the extras?
Disc two features two twenty-plus minute interviews. One is with Bret Hart and the other is with the director, Paul Jay. Bret's interview is interesting but provides no new details when compared to all the recent interviews Bret has done to promote his book. The director's interview is both interesting and confusing. The first part of it is interesting as he talks about the WWE trying to block the movie and WCW helping him get the movie released. However, the director goes off on a strange tangent about 9/11 and the war on terror and bringing it back to this story as a part of promoting both this movie and his website, Real News.
The Life and Death of Owen Hart is a 40+ minute bio that follows his life and ends when the family files a lawsuit against the WWE. It is very similar to the A&E Biography that ran in the US but is significantly better than that.
Overall Recommendation
You would think that an item that I give five-stars to and also say that all wrestling fans should see would be a must-buy. However, it isn't. Currently, the National Film Board of Canada is
streaming the movie on their website for free. Since you are getting the movie for free online, the reasons to buy this DVD are to have it as a permanent part of your collection and for the extras. That is a decision you will have to make for yourself, but you can at least view the movie before making that decision.
