From Gold's Gym in Venice Beach, California, to the showdown in Pretoria, amateur and professional bodybuilders prepare for the 1975 Mr. Olympia and Mr. Universe contests, in this part-scripted, part-documentary film. The five-time champion,
Arnold Schwarzenegger, defends his Mr. Olympia title against
Serge Nubret and the shy young deaf,
Lou Ferrigno, whose father is his coach; the ruthless champ psyches out the young lion. Sardinian
Franco Columbu competes in the lightweight class; at home in Italy, he solves a tight parking problem by lifting the car into place.
Joe Weider is the marketer;
Mike Katz and
Ken Waller go for the title of Mr. Universe. Bodybuilding and a celebrity-to-be go mainstream.
—Nick Riganas