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Cast: The Iron Sheik, Dwayne Johnson
For decades he has been professional wrestling's man you love to hate. But a new film recounting his extraordinary life story will fill WWE fans and non-fans alike with nothing but love for the imposing star known as The Iron Sheik.
Khosrow Ali Vaziri was born in Iran in 1942, establishing a name for himself as an amateur wrestler, a bodyguard for the Shah of Iran, and an athlete representing his home country in the 1968 Summer Olympics. In the early 1970s, following the unexpected and controversial death of his good friend and Olympic wrestling gold medalist Gholamreza Takhti, Vaziri left Iran to pursue the American Dream. His journey to the United States began one of the most spectacular professional wrestling careers in modern history.
Assuming the persona of the villainous The Iron Sheik, Vaziri became one of the most celebrated and hated men in sports entertainment, helping launch Hulkamania in the 1980s and weathering a career that saw him turn the wrestling world upside down throughout the '80s and '90s. A fall from sobriety after the murder of one of his daughters brought the Sheik to the lowest and most challenging point in his life. Now in his 70s, the Sheik has embraced an unlikely new persona as an outlandish social media sensation, known for hilarious outbursts and massively popular antics.
Featuring candid interviews with Vaziri's family, historians and over 25 wrestling superstars, THE SHEIK is a pop culture documentary that chronicles this determined survivor's electrifying career from his upbringing in Iran to his journey to the U.S. and his unprecedented experiences as America's most hated villain.
The film features interviews with celebrities and wrestling superstars including Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Hulk Hogan, Jack Black, Seth Green, Mick Foley, Bret Hart, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Hacksaw Jim Duggan and many more.
"The Sheik" Tells the story of Khosrow Ali Vaziri, from his birth in Iran in 1942 to rise in the then WWF as The Iron Sheik. The film does a great job fitting Khosrow's entire life into its 96 minute run time. I was especially interested in his life in Iran before he moved to the U.S. when things started to get bad in his home country and he how got his break in the WWF after being an assistant coach for the 1972 US Olympic team. His life was full of highs and lows and it is brilliantly documented here with many faces from the WWF and the now WWE and Hollywood celebs as well talking about the man and the wrestler. Appearing in the film is, The Rock, Jim Ross, Bret Hart, Hulk Hogan and many more.
"The Sheik" is a great film for wrestling fans but because it focuses on Khosrow Ali Vaziri the man as well it also makes for a great watch for those not so familiar with the sport. I had a fantastic time watching the film and I was engaged the entire time. By the time the credits began to roll I found myself having a respect for The Iron Sheik I did not have before. That is because the film was so personal. "The Sheik" is available now on DVD with Special Features that include:
Trailer
A worthy documentary that showcases the life of one of the WWF's biggest stars. I highly recommend picking it up now. You can order the DVD HERE.
Released by Dark Sky Films
***** Out Of *****