Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

GLOW: The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 7, 2023

They were known as the “Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling.” It was female wrestling presented to the American public in a different way, and the television series “GLOW” (which debuted in 1986) strived to connect worlds of comedy and athleticism, with creator David McLane and director Matt Cimber hoping to create a stir with their blend of outrageousness and silliness, giving birth to specialized entertainment during a pop culture period when pro-wrestling was king. Director Brett Whitcomb (“The Rock-afire Explosion,” “Jasper Mall”) looks to understand how such an oddball offering of T.V. managed to make an impression on a generation of viewers in 2012’s “GLOW: The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling,” with the documentary collecting interviews with the professionals involved in the business. Whitcomb doesn’t have a sizable run time (77 minutes), but he has access to many people who put their bodies through hell to make some syndication magic for the masses, covering the four-year-long run of the show and its long list of peculiarities.

Whitcomb follows basic documentary structure with “GLOW,” tracking its development from an idea to a television show. McClane wasn’t looking to create a series about technique, he wanted showmanship, with the initial casting call for the program aimed at actresses, not athletes, hunting for a select few capable of conjuring memorable personalities to hook viewers quickly. The chosen were relocated to Las Vegas, with the Riviera Hotel becoming a base of operations for the company, with owner Meshulam Riklis funding the operation. The plan was to make something wild with broad participants, with Cimber primarily pushing for craziness and comedy, bringing a “Hee Haw” element to the endeavor. It was music, madness, and, of course, wrestling, bringing together a team of performers tasked with making magic out of stereotypes and behavioral issues.

“GLOW” doesn’t have access to Cimber or McClane, but the wrestlers are ready to discuss their days on the show. Whitcomb interviews such players as Matilda the Hun, Little Egypt, Chainsaw and Spike, Tina Ferrari, Ninotchka, Big Bad Mama, and Hollywood. The subjects are enthusiastic about the experience, articulating early days of excitement and confusion, with most not fully understanding what was expected of them. The women were handed to Mando Guerrero for training, learning the basics of professional wrestling to help sell action in the squared circle, and they were presented with food and shelter in the “GLOW House,” creating special bonds as the details of heroism and villainy were developed, contributing to the bigness of the program. Whitcomb provides a vivid understanding of commitment, as the ladies were verbally abused by Cimber, who was very critical of personal appearances, paying careful attention to the visual potency of the series. And there’s a defined sense of camaraderie, as the wrestlers were tasked with living inside their characters all the time, generating a sense of unity and friendship as the pressures of performance increased over time.

Anecdotes and memories are fascinating in “GLOW,” especially when it comes to the experience of interacting with the public, developing a loyal fanbase, including a growing number of children. The interviewees share stories about these insane years and all the psychological challenges of the time, and they detail the extreme physical demands of wrestling, as producers opted to cut costs with a poorly constructed ring, causing a lot of harm. And there’s the saga of Susie Spirit, whose arm was broken during a taping, creating a storyline for the character as the performer’s career in “GLOW” came to an end. Whitcomb highlights the lasting pain of such enthusiasm, with Matilda the Hun (who passed away in 2022) facing spinal and foot issues later in life, while others detail all sorts of extremes encountered to help sell the power of the matches.

“GLOW” offers a sugar rush of information and clips from the show (including its commitment to creating rap songs for the characters), but there’s a serious side to the documentary, found in the saga of Mountain Fiji. A Samoan of substantial size, Mountain Fiji was a fan-favorite, showcasing her strength with every match, giving the show a display of natural power, joined by Matilda the Hun’s equal intensity. Sadly, Mountain Fiji’s post-“GLOW” life was pushed down by physical trials and health challenges, with Whitcomb catching up with the wrestler (who passed away in 2018) at a nursing home. Her physical presence is diminished, but spirit remains, growing emotional when recalling the rocket ride of fame and her relationships with others, enjoying the sisterhood that developed. She’s open about her feelings and hopes, with Whitcomb using the encounter to ground the picture, reminding viewers of the real people behind the big show.

GLOW: The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "GLOW" deals with a documentary created with commercial grade cameras. Some softness is unavoidable, but a general appreciation of facial particulars remain during interview segments. Old "GLOW" footage is sourced from videotape, and looks as good as possible under these circumstances. Color is active, mostly exploring clothing choices and wrestler costuming, delivering bright primaries, also finding life in makeup choices. Source is in good condition. Mild banding is periodically detected.

GLOW: The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix offers crisp interview footage, entering different environments without losing intelligibility. Music choices are also appreciable, supporting the emotional journey of the documentary. Older "GLOW" footage has age-related issues, but remains understood.

GLOW: The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features musician Billy Corgan and GLOW wrestlers Little Egypt, Matilda the Hun, and Hollywood.

• Q&A (12:14, HD) is a discussion of "GLOW" at the 2012 United Film Festival, featuring a large assortment of wrestlers taking a trip down memory lane.

• Outtakes (45:52, HD) features extras moments with the subjects as they share their lives for the camera, including the production of a fetish film starring Hollywood.

• "Susie Spirit Arm Break Report" (7:21, SD) is gruesome footage of a mishap that occurred during a match.

• Vintage GLOW Matches (32:09, SD) offers a collection of battles from various seasons of the show.

• Vintage GLOW Skits (19:33, SD) explores the lighter side of the franchise, with the wrestlers trying out their acting and comedy skills.

• Vintage GLOW Music Videos (10:16, SD) returns to the wrestlers, now showing off their musical talents and choreography skills.

• And a Trailer (2:13, HD) is included.

GLOW: The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

After 100 episodes and some behind-the-scenes scandal, "GLOW" came to an abrupt stop, canceled but not forgotten. Whitcomb attempts to add some closure to the story the participants were initially denied, visiting a "GLOW" reunion, where the wrestlers finally reconnect and process all that's happened to them. It's a joyful moment (diminished by lousy camerawork that often pushes too close to faces, killing the emotional mood), and a needed boost of positivity added to the story. Perhaps "GLOW: The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling" isn't a complete document of the series, but it gets most of the way there, providing an animated journey of highs and lows, with concentration on the organized mayhem of the program and its charming, determined cast of crazy characters.