Pumping Iron II: The Women
George Butler

O.V. English

This unsung documentary about women’s bodybuilding features abundant sweat, ripped bodies and 80s nail polish.
In 1977, the unlikely docudrama Pumping Iron went behind the scenes of muscle-man competitions; it was a commercial success that launched a new star, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Eight years later, it was the women’s turn. Bev Francis, Rachel McLish and other strongwomen square off in this colourful sequel that forces us to reconsider our standard images of the female...