The '80s were huge for the pro-wrestling business. WCW and the new version of WWF were on the precipice of becoming the largest promotions in the world at the time and on the starting line of superstars like Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, and Ric Flair. Before those promotions took over the land, smaller companies took up territories around the country that put on pro-wrestling shows that were usually aired on television once a week in those particular regions. One of those shows was called GLOW, known as the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling. Netflix even created a great tv series about this show and its stars where it displayed just how hard these women worked and sacrificed their lives and bodies to entertain their fans.
Director Brett Whitcomb has delivered a 77-minute documentary about GLOW titled GLOW The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling that tells the story of how the show creators were passionate fans of pro-wrestling and wanted to feature an all-women led promotion, which eventually filmed all their shows in front of a live audience in Las Vegas. This documentary reveals all the ins, outs, and what-have-yous of how this small promotion became the small, yet powerful success it was and how it's remembered today. with new interviews with most of the original women coming back to discuss their favorite stories during that time in their life. There are a ton of great and entertaining stories as the women recall some of those off-beat narratives, but there are also a few anecdotes that tug on the heartstrings. It all culminates with a good reunion with the women in person.
Not everyone makes it back for this documentary, but even with its quick pace, GLOW The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling allows for everyone's story to get across that pays tribute to one of the big underdogs of the pro-wrestling world. With its amazing music and the fantastic saga of athleticism, heartache, money, and sadness - this is one documentary not to be missed.
Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray
GLOW The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling suplexes its way to Blu-ray via AGFA and Vinegar Syndrome. The one disc is housed inside a hard, clear plastic case. There is a newly illustrated piece of artwork featuring all the superstar wrestlers on the cover with the famous '80s color palette. There is no digital download or insert.
GLOW The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling comes with a 1080p HD transfer and looks very good within its wheelhouse. The new footage of interviews and the reunion look wonderful with bright colors and wonderful detail that reveals all the aged ladies well. It's the digital format that gives way to all the detail and modern color palette. The vintage and archival footage doesn't look as good, however, all of those amazing '80s color grades come to the forefront. There aren't too many issues other than some banding here and there. Overall, this is a solid-looking video presentation.
This release comes with a DTS-HD MA 2.0 audio track that does its job. The new interviews sound great and well-balanced while the archival footage has more of a tin-can sound. The music used in the documentary sounds wonderful and is probably the best part of the mix. Other than that, this is the standard affair of noises for a documentary.
There are 131 minutes of bonus material here, all of which are worth watching. There's also a great audio commentary.
GLOW The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling is a fun documentary that leans into the true, personal stories of the women that sacrificed their limbs and sanity to entertain the masses on a weekly basis in Las Vegas. It's great seeing the women come back and talk about their fond memories with a ton of great archival footage mixed in. With a decent video and audio presentation and some amazing bonus features, this doc is Highly Recommended!
