Over the Top (1987) VHS Movie Review
Analog Jones has to go to work (turns baseball cap) and meet this film halfway to figure out if arm wrestling is a real sport. Join us as we enjoy our last “sports” movie in our Over the Top (1987) VHS movie review.
Over the Top Quick Facts
Over the Top was released on February 13, 1987, on a budget of $25 million and made $16 million in the box office. Sylvester Stallone was reportedly paid $12 million to star in Over the Top.
Directed by Menahem Golan
Produced by Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus
Screenplay by Stirling Silliphant and Sylvester Stallone
Story by Gary Conway and David Engelbach
Cast
Sylvester Stallone as Lincoln Hawk
Robert Loggia as Jason Cutler
Susan Blakely as Christina Hawk
Rick Zumwalt as Bob “Bull” Hurley
David Mendenhall as Michael Hawk
Chris McCarty as Tim Salanger
Terry Funk as Ruker
Bruce Way as John Grizzly
Jimmy Keegan as Richie
Greg Schwartz as Smasher
Allan Graf as Collins
John Braden as Col. Davis
Reggie Bennett as Female Arm Wrestler
Multi-time world arm wrestling champion and future professional wrestler Scott Norton also makes an appearance along with other professional arm wrestlers such as Allen Fisher, John Vreeland, Cleve Dean and Andrew “Cobra” Rhodes (as the final match referee).[3] Professional arm wrestler John Brzenk also makes an appearance.
VHS Description
Stallone goes Over the Top to be champ.
His four Rocky sagas had all America applauding at ringside. Now Sylvester Stallone gives us another reason to stand up and cheer, starring as down-on-his-luck big-rig trucker Lincoln hawk and taking us under the glaring Las Vegas lights for all the boisterous action of the World Armwrestling Championship in Over the Top.
Like Stallone’s “Italian Stallion” in 1976’s Academy Award-winning Bes Picture Rocky, Lincoln Hawk is an amiable underdog, a David in a world Goliaths. Relying on his wits and willpower, he struggles to rebuild his life, going against the odds as he goes after the World Armwrestling Championship’s first-place prize money…and the love of the son (Davis Mendenhall) he abandoned years earlier.
Get ready for excitement as Stallone lands another knockout action-film punch. And get ready for good times as you meet a colorful, iron-armed gallery of arm wrestling giants like Rick Zumwalt, the real-life California champion who squares off with Stallone in a to-the-limit finale. Zumwalt explains his fascination with the tension-packed sport this way: “I can shake a guy’s hand and then try to rip his arm off. After the match is over, we can laugh about it.”
“you’ve got guys from M.I.T. and guys who can’t spell M.IT.,” says Stallone about arm wrestling’s broad appeal. That appeal — and more — is vividly captured here. After Over the Top is over, don’t be surprised if you want to watch it again!
Trailers: None
Soundtrack
1. “Winner Takes It All” – Sammy Hagar
2. “In This Country” – Robin Zander (International versions of the film had Eddie Money singing instead)
3. “Take It Higher” – Larry Greene
4. “All I Need Is You” – Big Trouble
5. “Bad Nite” – Frank Stallone
6. “Meet Me Half Way” – Kenny Loggins
7. “Gypsy Soul” – Asia
8. “The Fight (Instrumental)” – Giorgio Moroder
9. “Mind Over Matter” – Larry Greene
10. “I Will Be Strong” – Eddie Money
Come back next week for another sports-related VHS Movie Review.
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