Pulling John – DVD Review

Film, Reviews



Dominating a sport for any stretch of time takes a special kind of athlete. Alexander Karelin went thirteen years without a loss, the last six without giving up a single point, in Greco-Roman Wrestling. Bill Russell won thirteen championships as part of the Boston Celtics. And John Brzenk dominated the world of professional arm-wrestling like no one else has before or since. Dominating competitors big and small, including one in excess of 600 pounds, Brzenk is the man every professional arm wrestler looks up to and is inspired by. To defeat Brzenk, or ‘pull’ him to use the sport’s vernacular, is a nigh impossible task; Pulling John is a documentary focusing on two gentlemen looking to do just that.

Travis Bagent is at the time of shooting an up and coming puller, having won the world title in a major upset over Alexey Voevoda. Both men have legendary histories; Bagent’s father was a world class strongman and puller in his day while Voevoda is from a long line of military heroes. Both idolize Brzenk and the documentary’s focus is on their quest to defeat him. The film focuses on the trio and there seeming destiny to meet each other at the highest levels of the sport.

At a run time of 72 minutes, this a fast-moving documentary aimed at those with a decent amount of knowledge about the sport of arm wrestling. Focusing sporadically between Bagent and Voeveda in training, and competition, as well as focusing on Brzenk’s history as perhaps the most dominant arm wrestler of all time, this is a breezy documentary that seems to be wrapping up when it should be at a logical midway point. This niche sporting world has a lot to it and the film short shrifts it by giving it so little time. There are so many good stories about all three men, and their motivations, and yet none of them are given the sort of full length treatment they deserve. It’s more of a short profile as opposed to a more in depth character study; in a film it’s acceptable, but for a documentary it’s almost criminal not to.

What the film does showcase, however, is rather fascinating. Arm wrestling is a niche sport but the film doesn’t make it seem like it’s a novelty. Showcasing footage from its peak in popularity on ABC’s “Wide World of Sports,” and pointing out how it was the biggest draw for the program over a decade, there’s a respect that Vassiliki Khonsari and Sevan Matossian give the sport an open and honest look that’s refreshing. They take what could be boring material and give it a theme: a pair of Davids against a seemingly unstoppable Goliath.

While perhaps not in the same league as Bigger,Stronger, Faster in terms of sports and sports-related documentaries, and not even in the same league as Hoop Dreams, Pulling John shines a nice light on a niche sport and a trio of champions in it. When it’s lit, it’s intriguing and provocative, but it doesn’t stay lit for long enough.

A low budget documentary, the transfer is cleaned up but from an a/v standpoint doesn’t look nearly as good as other documentaries as of late. There is plenty of archival footage that has shown its wear and tear scattered throughout the film that looks awful.

Trailers for the film and other IndiePix features are included.

Nearly 50 minutes of Deleted Scenes are included. Most don’t add much back into the film.

A brief Graphic Comic is included.

A Commentary Track featuring Brzenk is available as well.

Pulling John is an interesting, if ultimately too brief, look at three men trying to be at the absolute best at one thing in their lives. While the documentary may not be brilliant, it’s quite good and worth watching for the tales of the three men.


IndiePix presents Pulling John. Directed by Vassiliki Khonsari and Sevan Matossian. Starring John Brzenk,Travis Bagent, Alexey Voevoda. Running time: 72 minutes. Not Rated. Released on DVD: March 16, 2010. Available at Amazon.com.