Bigger, Stronger, Faster (DVD, 2008)

This is one of the most honest, heartfelt movies I have seen on this sensitive issue. Chris Bell takes us from the childhood of himself and brothers (one older, one younger), their early identification with super-hero type icons such as professional wrestlers (Hulk Hogan), action heros (Sylvester Stallone), and pro bodybuilders (Arnold Schwarzenegger), to their disillusionment and identification with anabolic steroids. What makes Chris Bell's movie so touching is that he is clearly torn between his desire to excel in sports versus his intuitive distrust, both ethically and medically, of performance enhancing drugs. Bell exhibits this tension first in the progressive disillusioning of his childhood dreams of, as Hulk Hogan puts it, "take your vitamins, say your prayers and work hard" to succeed, and ultimately with the all-time body-building icon, Arnold Schwarzenegger. It is almost painful to hear Chris' incredulity as he watches Arnold award first prize in his 2007 body-building contest and subsequently deny he had any knowledge that the winner, a convicted steroids felon, used these substances. More touching are the interviews that follow Chris' family. His father, an intelligent professional accountant, sites the Bible and some solid common sense regarding his oldest son's addiction to steroids and his youngest son's lack of familial responsibility in using these drugs. Yet, Chris freeze-frames on his father cheering as if he won the lottery when his younger son sets a person bench press record of 705lbs with his steroid-enhanced body. Chris' mother is in apparent denial as she watches her sons balloon in unnatural ways and is somehow totally removed from their personal struggles with these drugs. Older brother Mike talks the talk about family responsibility (he even breaks down when talking about his wife's struggles with his addiction), but cannot ultimately resist the lure of Southern California with its muscle beach, and steroid hyped stardom. Younger brother Mark has a family and child. The couple cannot have future kids due to Mark's steroid-induced impotence. Even as he "promises" to go off steroids to have another child, he immediately admits that he will go back on the juice to live his life to the fullest; roid rage, cancer risks and other dangers to his family just don't seem to matter.

What I found most impressive about Bell's documentary is the degree to which I felt he was evenhanded in looking at the issue. Through extensive interviews and footage he makes the case that steroids are unethical and dangerous. But he makes an equal case that these enhancements are no different than Tiger Woods' lasik eye surgery to enhance his vision or musicians who take beta-blockers to calm their nerves before a big performance or competition. He also makes the point that no one has truly proved the negative side-effects commonly attributed to steroid use.

All in all, a thoughtful, touching and informative film.

Great movie! completely changed my views on performance enhancing drugs. This movie shows a lot of different points of view and lets the viewer make their own decision. It also debunks a lot of the myths out there about steroids and the supplement industry.

this movie is the other side of the steroid controversy. it makes you realize that steroids aren't as bad as people set it out to be.

i have seen this several times before...but it is the quintisential american steroid dvd....it tells the facts about steroids in the right way.....about the use in sports..olypics....and just everyday life..u love the people in the dvd..and u feel for the bell family and the hottons.....a must watch!!!!

The movie was here in a couple of days and the box and dvd were in excellent shape. I bought the movie so I could show my health students a controversial, yet very though provoking, movie on steroids. My students really enjoyed the movie.

i have been into bodybuilding for a long time now and have heard mixed things about steroids so i watched this movie and was blown away. this guy goes around talking to EVERYONE, users, haters, doctors, "victims" of steroid in their lives, etc. and gets to the nitty gritty about what its all about and its history. i am not a user but if it were legal and wanted to this film helps in terms of instilling an attitude about going and doing your own research and learning about the things you put in your body before you agree or disagree to using them. CHECK THIS FILM OUT! bodybuilder or not

Incredibly informative! I am a true gym rat who could appreciate the entire dvd. I thought that the information was very interesting and it confirmed and clarified alot of myths out there about steroids.

This is a dvd that will show how american life really is. The storyline is wonderful and I have told as many people about this that I can. I hope this group of folks do investigations about our lawmakers and the connections to corporations that all public representatives have. Excellent to watch over and over!!!!