‘Bigger’ – The Joe Weider Story

The rags-to-riches story of fitness magazine and bodybuilding visionary Joe Weider. From Joe Weider’s early days in Canada during the 1930s Depression to the world of weight-training and bodybuilding, and ultimately creating a fitness empire.

In the late 1960s, Joe nurtured an Austrian unknown named Arnold Schwarzenegger to USA and to worldwide fame and glory on the Mr. Olympia/Mr. Universe circuit. The movie’s way-back device is the 2008 funeral of Joe Weider’s brother and business partner Ben, at which the elderly Joe agrees to tell his story.

Once the Weider brothers are fully set up as titans of bodybuilding in Los Angeles — selling magazines, supplements, and weights to an ever-more fitness-conscious public — the movie slips into the Arnold Schwarzenegger section. Here Arnold is superbly played by look-alike bodybuilder Calum Von Moger. Julianne Hough superbly plays the part of cover girl Betty Brosmer, known so well today as Joe’s wife, Betty Weider.

The clever portrayal of Schwarzenegger’s savvy and charisma is enjoyable and fascinating. Several important incidents in Arnold’s career are recreated including his defeating Sergio in competition. This contest section, including the creation of the Mr. Olympia contest, will be what most fans are waiting for.

The movie “Bigger” is an inspiring saga of success through dedication, vision and hard work. It is a movie, now video, that should be watched by every fan of bodybuilding and weight training. You will recognise many familiar faces in the contest section that are very active in the running of the Mr. Olympia today.