The Sheik

Khosrow Vaziri is better known as 'The Iron Sheik'--a character from professional wrestling who was a huge star in the 1970s and 80s. During this time of tension between the US and Iran, the Iranian-born Vaziri was the right person at the right time--a very talented Olympic wrestler who was more than happy to play a caricature of an Ayatollah- loving crazy man who hated America. It was all total nonsense, but the wrestling public loved it--and loved to hate him. This film is about his--before, during and after this career. If you are a big fan of pro wrestling, then you'll most likely love the film. If, like me, you never really understood or connected with this sort of entertainment, then it still is worth seeing but it's far from a must-see. The film is reasonably well made and often interesting--though Vaziri later became a bit of a real life butt-head--and this also makes the film a bit less satisfying to watch. Not bad but nothing more.

A quick-hits personal history of the mighty Iron Sheik, retired WWF champion turned profane social media phenomenon. Beneath his tough, big-front attitude, the Sheik has a deeply involved, complex story to tell, though an irritating lack of focus stops us from dwelling long enough to appreciate it. The film, well-produced and stuffed with big-name testimonials, seems more interested in his recent, superficial, second limelight than in his roots as an Iranian Olympian or even as foil to the likes of Hulk Hogan and Bob Backlund. Which is a shame, because I found the story of his abrupt exodus from the middle east and roundabout path to pro wrestling superstardom far, far more intriguing than his Twitter routine or appearances on Howard Stern. Maybe a lack of available footage from the Sheik's heyday is to blame, or maybe the producers found themselves too involved (they double as his social media advisors). Whatever the reasons, they leave the story hamstrung early and it sags badly for the last half-hour. Occasionally amusing and only rarely enlightening, it isn't half as enjoyable as just reading the guy's Wikipedia entry, checking out his last dozen tweets and calling it a day.

"The Sheik" is a pop culture documentary that chronicles Khosrow Vaziri's electrifying career. From his upbringing in Iran, to his journey in America, to his unprecedented experiences as America's most hated villain.

While you could make a story about any wrestler of the 1970s and 1980s, including those mentioned in this film (like Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Jake the Snake Roberts), the Iron Sheik makes for a good story because then you can bring in foreign relations. He was Iranian, spent his early years there, and later came to America and helped train the Olympic team. How odd it must be to play "the Iron Sheik", a villain, when you are proud of your Iranian roots and your American status.

Through his story, we see the rise of WWF to a form of legitimacy, and what could be called the "mistake" of Hulkamania... or was it not a mistake? Indeed, through Hulk Hogan, wrestling achieved a level of pop culture influence that it never saw again.

'The Sheik' (2014) is good documentary on the life of Iranian-born pro-wrestler Khosrow Vaziri, aka The Iron Sheik. It covers his amateur wrestling, professional wrestling, fall from stardom, and his resurgence on popular culture and social media.

Wrestling fans especially old-school fans from the 1980s will absolutely love this look into a game-changing Heel. Non-wrestling fans might understand a little bit of The Iron Sheik's impact, but will remain interested due to the Sheik's personal life and struggles.

This isn't an amazing documentary but it has a charm to it much like the Sheik himself. I will say that this documentary is heavily influenced by the Sheik's latest managing team who for better or for worse have kept the Iron Sheik name and man himself alive through impassioned marketing through social media and popular culture. Watching this you might begin to feel bad for the Iron Sheik as he tries his best to overcome pain, but he loves the publicity as much as he loves wrestling.

Overall, its good. Its not that great if didn't grow up watching him, but its not that bad either. Just a little poorly paced at times. Worth watching though regardless your background.

A quick-hits personal history of the mighty Iron Sheik, retired WWF champion turned profane social media phenomenon. Beneath his tough, big-front attitude, the Sheik has a deeply involved, complex story to tell, though an irritating lack of focus stops us from dwelling long enough to appreciate it. The film, well-produced and stuffed with big-name testimonials, seems more interested in his recent, superficial, second limelight than in his roots as an Iranian Olympian or even as foil to the likes of Hulk Hogan and Bob Backlund. Which is a shame, because I found the story of his abrupt exodus from the middle east and roundabout path to pro wrestling superstardom far, far more intriguing than his Twitter routine or appearances on Howard Stern. Maybe a lack of available footage from the Sheik's heyday is to blame, or maybe the producers found themselves too involved (they double as his social media advisors). Whatever the reasons, they leave the story hamstrung early and it sags badly for the last half-hour. Occasionally amusing and only rarely enlightening, it isn't half as enjoyable as just reading the guy's Wikipedia entry, checking out his last dozen tweets and calling it a day.