Below the Belt

I picked this movie up mainly because I love female wrestling. From that perspective, I have to report that I was somewhat disappointed: although it shows some great moves here and there, "Below The Belt" does not contain nearly as much wrestling action as I expected. Even the final showdown is more of a ring brawl than a wrestling match. Most of the time the film is focused on painting a particularly unglamorous portrait of the "life on the road" of an independent pro-wrestling troupe, and although a lot of it feels real, there are a few too many songs on the soundtrack and a few too many traveling shots. Fortunately, our female lead Regina Baff is able to carry the movie with a winning performance; she is also VERY attractive in an everywoman sort of way (a woman does not need to have Playboy-model looks to be attractive), and seems to have done all of her wrestling stunts herself. "Below The Belt" is worth a look for anyone interested in the subject, but "All The Marbles" is still the king of this limited sub-genre. (**1/2)

Rosa Rubinsky (Regina Baff (The Paper Chase)) is an NYC waitress at a concession stand who is able to manhandle a co-worker when his advances get too aggressive. Taking notice of this is wrestling promoter Bobby Fox (John C. Becher (Next Stop, Greenwich Village)), who's eager to give her a new life as a new member of his troupe. Eventually, she will have the potential to hit the big time with a match against "Terrible" Tommy (real-life wrestler Jane O'Brien, in her only film appearance).

Below the Belt may come as something of a disappointment to people who want a lot of in-the-ring action. This film does deliver some, but it's really more of a character-oriented drama that focuses on the lady wrestlers & their camaraderie. Delivering standout performances are Sierra Pecheur (Kalifornia), as ageing grappler Verne, and Dolph Sweet (Gimme a Break!) as a fellow veteran who loves her - and who feels much too over the hill by this point.

In fact, the performances are quite appealing, with Ms. Baff doing a solid job in the lead. Another real-life wrestling legend, Mildred Burke, appears as herself, offering some initial training to Rosa (who ultimately gets re-christened as Rosa Carlo, the "Mexican Spitfire"). Rosa is certainly easy to root for, especially since she has a bad habit of picking useless guys - a radio DJ (Frazer Smith (Tag: The Assassination Game)) who won't support her, and a male wrestler (James Gammon (Major League)) who loves her and leaves her.

The film achieves a respectable level of realism, portraying the lives of these men & women in a less than glamorous fashion, and also has a engaging low-key approach.

Filmed mostly in 1974, but not released until 1980, this features other familiar faces such as Shirley Stoler (The Honeymoon Killers), Gregory Rozakis (Death Wish), Ric Mancini (Friday the 13th: A New Beginning), and K. C. Townsend (The Burning).

Seven out of 10.

Interesting film of a depressing topic. A troupe of wrestlers, mostly unattractive women, travel from small town to small town earning peanuts. This is not the major leagues as seen on TV today. In some regards, the film is realistic, but not when they feature matches presented as legit (wrestling slang for real). Therefore, if they are going to backslide on reality, how about casting the lead as a sexy lady wrestler. Wouldn't improve the movie any, but would make me be more inclined to watch this film again. The film "Unholy Rollers" is a comparable film (not as depressing) and did feature a sexy leading lady. I am unsure as to the extent of the popularity of wrestling when this film was released in 1980. This film was not popular at all and is rarely seen, then and now. I gave it a 4 (on a 10 scale).

Nice film, I liked it well enough to buy a copy to add to my collection. I enjoyed the realism the film conveyed. Some of my favorite performances were by Shirley Stoler, K.C.Townsend,Titi Paris, Regina Baff and Dolph Sweet. I found the music score very exiting and it seemed to compliment the film. Sierra Pecheur was interesting,as well as Annie McGreevey. Actress Billie Mahoney was interesting as was Jane O'Brien.I would like to comment a little about Mildred Burke. She was a pioneer in the sport of wrestling, and a world champion in her time. All in all an enjoyable film well worth seeing again. It is interesting to note actress Titi Paris is a professional wrestler and judo black belt. She is also responsible for getting Ladies Wrestling legalized in New York State.

Gritty, great crowd shots, remarkable music, authentic characters. This is what the middle of the night is for: finds like this movie. Birmin'AlabamaHam just one of the musical treats. Hard to watch some scenes, but this view of America "behind the scenes" is unusual and loaded with great color, genuine dialogue and wonderful road trip post card view of America that's not mainstream or middle class, but working and driving and the same kind of self-reflection you might find in a movie like Metropolitan only on the road in a half- empty stadium in Talahassee. Different authors quoted, different food eaten, different "coifs", the furniture the back seat of a 64 station wagon instead of a penthouse, but every bit as rich and full. I am wowed.