Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 12, 2023

One doesn’t have to be a professional wrestling fan to watch 1998’s “Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows,” but it certainly helps the viewing experience. Writer/director Paul Jay strives to present a history of Bret “The Hitman” Hart and his personal journey to ascend to the top tier of pro- wrestlers and stay there, dealing with the demands of the profession and his boss, World Wrestling Entertainment (then World Wrestling Federation) owner Vince McMahon. There’s inherent drama in any tale of physical might and business activity, but “Wrestling with Shadows” has something unique in a major life-changing event for Hart, as Jay runs with the opportunity to generate suspense around a situation known as the “Montreal Screwjob.”

Born in Calgary, Alberta, Hart quickly joined a family devoted to the ways of physical endurance, with his father, Stu, a legend in the pro-wresting business, beginning with his days in the barbaric world of “submission wrestling.” Hart’s entire clan eventually submitted to a future in the squared circle, and while “Wrestling with Shadows” doesn’t go deep with family ties, it does present some understanding of the subject’s formative years, bent into shape by his strict father while remaining competitive yet close with his siblings (brother Owen Hart was killed in a wrestling event accident in 1999, shortly after this feature was released). Hart’s private life is examined in the documentary, with Jay also focusing on his wife, Julie (whom he divorced in 2002), and his kids, who are often seen at wrestling events, interacting playfully with other talent while tearing around empty stadiums. However, “Wrestling with Shadows” is primarily concentrated on the interior journey for Hart, who’s confronted with the end of his contract with the WWE, facing a lucrative offer from rival organization World Championship Wrestling, owned by McMahon enemy, Ted Turner.

“Wrestling with Shadows” is committed to understanding Hart’s sense of loyalty, highlighting his work for the WWE and his relationship with McMahon, which is strained by the arrival of WCW. Jay tracks Hart’s growing unhappiness with the company and their move to sleazier antics to secure viewership, which threatens his place as a hero to many, gradually turned into a heel for all. Insight into the wrestling business is riveting, with Jay detailing life in “sports entertainment,” visiting locker rooms and meeting Hart’s colleagues, capturing the work put into matches and promotion, which has become daily life for the wrestlers, who travel the world trying to charge up crowds with broadly defined acting.

Also fascinating in “Wrestling with Shadows” is time with the fans, with Jay interviewing people wholly committed to the ongoing storylines in the WWE, taking matters personally for the most part. It’s wild to watch these people fully believe in everything they’re seeing, especially when Hart goes to the dark side, which transforms his appearances into battles of national pride between Canada and the U.S.A. The whole “It’s still real to me, dammit” mindset is illuminated with these sequences, bringing Hart’s battle to retain some integrity into focus, as he’s facing millions of fans who might actually try to kill him if he makes the wrong move.

“Wrestling with Shadows” highlights Hart’s struggle to steer his career, achieving unthinkable success in the WWE, but also facing the rules of McMahon, expecting some type of mutual respect between the employee and boss. The owner of the WWE isn’t interviewed by Jay, who turns him into the villain of the feature, exploring his skill with showmanship and his ruthlessness when it comes to business dealings. Everything leads to the event in Montreal, which becomes a showdown for the participants, as Hart deals with contractual opportunities with WCW, while McMahon agrees to allow his star a chance to depart from the company in his own way. Hart hopes to go out on top, gracefully relinquishing his champion title, prepping for a smooth transition to a rival organization. What actually occurs is the “Montreal Screwjob,” which gives Jay a volatile situation to explore in the final act of “Wrestling with Shadows,” working with incredible access to backstage tensions, including a few confrontations (a key one with McMahon is sadly missing). Jay goes a little over the top while laboring to crank up the drama of it all, but it’s hard to deny the sheer strangeness of the situation, which gives the film a terrific conclusion.

Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.35:1 aspect ratio, 1080i) presentation is sourced from a Betacam master. Detail isn't possible here, but a general appreciation of wrestler appearances is provided, with the documentary exploring backstage areas and domestic gatherings. Color has some age, but the brightness of outfits, including the pinkness of Hart's gear, remains appreciable. Skin tones are natural. Source is in good condition.

Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix handles interview audio with clarity, balanced well with the chaos of wrestling events. Scoring selections are only periodically present, but add subtle emphasis to moods. Soundtrack selections are pronounced.

Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (six pages) includes an interview with producer Sally Blake.

• Commentary features wrestler Bret Hart and "Wrestling Observer Newsletter" editor Dave Meltzer.

• "Anatomy of a Screwjob" (22:40, HD) is a video conference interview with wrestler Brett Hart, who covers a variety of topics, including his pro-wrestling career, the demands of being of documentary subject, his dealings with writer/director Paul Jay, and his history and conflicts with WWE's Vince McMahon.

• "Directing with Shadows" (23:08, HD) is an interview with writer/director Paul Jay, who details his early efforts to become a filmmaker, working his way though the Canadian entertainment industry. Jay explores his initial meeting and relationship with Bret Hart, getting to understand the wrestler's behaviors and psychological spaces.

• Archival Interview (22:32, SD) is a 2008 chat with wrestler Bret Hart.

• Archival Interview (21:35, SD) is a discussion of "Hitman Hart" with writer/director Paul Jay.

• "Screwjob-Specific Commentary" (12:45, SD) offers additional thoughts from wrestler Brett Hart and "Wrestling Observer Newsletter" editor Dave Meltzer.

• "The Life and Death of Owen Hart" (47:00, SD) is a documentary about the late wrestler. It can be viewed with or without an intro (:52) from writer/director Paul Jay.

• A Trailer has not been included in this release.

Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Of course, the authenticity of "Wrestling with Shadows" is open for debate. The film deals with trained people locked into performances, and there's uncertainty that such a mindset doesn't carry over to "real life," with Hart living a good chunk of his adulthood in front of a camera. He's prepared to put on a show, and perhaps that's what he does in the feature. Personal interpretation concerning real human behavior is there for the taking, but the basics in storytelling are tended to by Jay, who provides a long look at Hart's internal engine, exploring his thoughts and monitoring his actions. It's not all here (the movie slips into reality T.V. mode at times), but the picture gets most of the way when providing an appreciation for such a career choice, spotlighting Bret "The Hitman" Hart's experience as he stands proudly in front of fans, but remains more cautious and unsettled away from the spotlight.