With its roots first being planted around the period of The Civil War, the American art form known as Professional Wrestling has become one of the biggest and most successful sports in the world, generating billions (and billions!) of dollars while influencing and establishing a global fanbase. Today, companies such as WWE, AEW, NJPW, Impact Wrestling, and MLW (amongst others) are all having incredible periods of business with sellout crowds, increased merchandise sales, and in some instances, being in the overall zeitgeist of popular culture. It’s truly become a phenomenon that people from all age groups and walks of life can grow to appreciate. But Professional Wrestling wasn’t always as popular (in the same way) and had different styles/art forms depending on the territory.
Back in the heyday of the business where every major area/region had local promotions, the competition was incredible. With some names such as Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Bruiser Brody, The Sheik, Jerry Lawler, Andre The Giant, Roddy Piper, and Bruno Samartino (to name a few) all working in their promotions ran by different promoters, they also went all around the country to work with each other constantly. This sets the stage for one of the most important wrestling families to ever exist, that family being the Von Erich Family out of the great state of Texas. They are the subject matter and the centerpiece of “The Iron Claw” which tells the incredible true story of the families’ rise to the top of the professional wrestling world during the 1970’s/1980’s…and the family curse that plagued them.
The Director and writer of the film Sean Durkin grew up loving and appreciating wrestling as a child and was fascinated by the incredible story of The Von Erich’s. After doing some extensive research and framing together a story that would be in good faith to fans of the family and the sport, but also be something that even general audiences can appreciate and react to. The casting was incredibly spot-on as Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, and Stanley Simons portrayed Kevin Von Erich, Kerry Von Erich, David Von Erich, and Mike Von Erich, respectively. In addition, Holt McCallany who is incredibly underrated as an actor, was chosen to portray one of the toughest and stern fathers you will ever see in Fritz Von Erich. If you follow professional wrestling like I have there are a lot of surprises and easter eggs that will make you enjoy this even more as much of the historical moments from WCCW (World Class Championship Wrestling) are recreated almost to perfection. Much of the actual wrestling is done very well since they brought in actual workers like Chavo Guerrero Jr. and even AEW Champion MJF (who also produced the film). It also helped with the authenticity as much of the action was shot in one long take in front of live crowds, which for me made a difference. All of the actors, especially Zac Effron and Jeremy Allen White got the craft down and bulked up incredibly to match the legendary physiques that the brothers had. The movie shows you why the Von Erich’s were everyone’s favorite in Dallas, TX as they captured the popularity they had in more ways than one. Everything from the famed Dallas Sportatorium where Fritz and WCCW ran all their shows usually always selling out, to having some historic promos recreated from the likes of Harley Race and Ric Flair, there was just so much respect and care put into this movie.
Without going into spoilers though, the second half of the movie is a very tough watch especially if you don’t know what’s coming so be prepared to shed many tears, and its due more to feeling the chemistry that the actors all have together as you feel the brotherhood and love that transcends through the screen. It’s genuine, heartfelt, sad, heartbreaking, and full of every emotion you can imagine. The Iron Claw grabs you by the forehead and doesn’t let go from the start (just like the Iron Claw submission), it demands your attention and makes you look at professional wrestling from a different POV.