There's no need to be a fan of American wrestling to enjoy Beyond the Mat. Blaustein concentrates on the idea of people living out dreams rather than the life of a wrestler, and in doing so succeeds in showing the brutal reality behind the pantomime.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 13, 2019

WWF documentary is OK for older teens.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 14, 2010

Am engrossing watch, but it's far from the most fascinating and incisive look at its subject.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jan 3, 2010

Blaustein, Foley and Funk layeth the smack well and truly down.

| Jul 31, 2008

Documentaries are almost always more interesting if the filmmakers fess up about their relationship to the subject, as unabashed pro-wrestling fan Barry Blaustein does in this naively made, compelling homage to the sport.

| Mar 23, 2007

A gently and genuinely observed film whose subject is a garish, artificial display of mayhem.

Full Review | Mar 23, 2007

We tour the All-Pro Wrestling School in California and Philadelphia's fearsome Extreme Championships, but it's the studies Blaustein makes of several wrestlers that root the film.

| Jun 24, 2006

A very good film that both wrestling fans and non-wrestling fans will enjoy.

| Original Score: 3/4 | May 26, 2006

Barry Blaustein takes a long, hard look at pro wrestling and, while not making me a newborn fan of the sport, he taught me the intensity and sacrifice of those who enter the ring.

| Original Score: B | Apr 9, 2005

A hilarious and heartbreaking documentary.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4 | May 14, 2003

Surprisingly riveting.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 8, 2002

Unfortunately Blaustein isn't an experienced enough film-maker to make much of such material.

| Dec 3, 2002

...an easygoing, straightforward film without too many surprises

Full Review | Original Score: B- | Aug 28, 2002

turns out to be less interested in the cartoonish brutality of pro wrestling than it is with the lives of the people who make their living in the ring.

| Jun 21, 2002

Entertaining and twisted.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Mar 19, 2002

Blaustein and his film have at least put a human face on those monstrous countenances that snarl out from our television sets on Saturday afternoons.

| Sep 18, 2001

The real meat of the movie comes in the many intimate moments that Blaustein's camera catches.

| Original Score: B- | Mar 24, 2001

Beyond the Mat is an eye-opening experience.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jan 1, 2000

To my own immense surprise, I find myself giving the thumbs-up to Hollywood screenwriter-turned-director Barry W. Blaustein's documentary about professional wrestling.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 1, 2000

A fascinating new documentary.

| Original Score: 9/10 | Jan 1, 2000