No Surrender Cinema: Body Slam
This edition of No Surrender Cinema comes at you courtesy of some good ol’ fashioned family viewing. Thanks to the good folks over at Kino Lorber, Body Slam is now on Blu-Ray, and yours truly made sure to have a copy delivered on release day! Since a movie starring someone from The A-Team and set within the world of wrestling was enough to pique my son’s interest (much as it did mine nearly 35 years ago), we decided that our quality time would be spent putting this shiny new Blu-Ray disc to use so that he can check it out and so I have something to write about!
Directed by Hal Needham (who just one year prior to this movie brought us the cult classic Rad… and what a wonderful world we live in where both of those films are readily available on physical media) Body Slam is a cinematic ode to the rock n’ wrestling craze that took the world by storm in the mid-80’s. However, instead of a mad genius like Vince McMahon at the helm, the man who ushers in the new era is one M. Harry Smilac (Dirk Benedict, aka Face from The A-Team). Smilac is a promoter who has seen better days, and has to resort on his charm and wiles to weasel his way out of trouble…only to find himself in more of it. Think of him as a less successful version of Face; he’s filled with ambition and quick to scheme those around him, but arrogance usually causes him to come up short. These circumstances lead to a variety of run-ins with less savory characters throughout the film, such as the running gag where whatever car is in Harry’s possession is destroyed by The Samoans (Afa and Sika). It should be noted that Afa and Sika are not a part of the wrestling troupe within the Body Slam universe and instead act as heavies to Mr. Kim (John Fujioka of American Ninja fame), who is out to collect on a debt that Harry has built up.
The wrestling world does have some major representation here, as Body Slam features “Rowdy” Roddy Piper in his first major film role!. Piper plays “Quick” Rick Roberts, a popular wrestler who befriends Harry after Smilac sticks up for him in a promoter’s office. Unfortunately for Harry, he thinks Rick is a rocker, not a wrestler, and now finds himself thrust into the rough and tumble world of pro wrestling. Smilac acts as the manager for Rick and Tonga Tom (Tonga Kid, who only a few years prior to this was a major rival of Roddy Piper), standing in their corner as they visit arenas and rack up wins. The trio start to build some steam, which draws the ire of the evil Captain Lou Murano (Albano), manager of Axe and Hammer, aka The Cannibals. In typical Harry fashion, he finds himself in over his head, trying to juggle his wrestlers, his rock band Kicks, and wooing the beautiful Candace (Tanya Roberts). When Harry, Rick, and Tom are savagely beaten on live TV by The Cannibals, Smilac’s confidence takes a hit and he becomes a recluse…at least long enough to grow some depression stubble and sit somberly in his designer clothes.
After a visit from Rick and success in his pursuit of Candace, Harry decides to hit the road with both the team and the band. A happy accident leads to the realization that rock music and pro wrestling are a popular mixture, and Smilac gets a second chance. With the popularity of his clients on the rise, Harry challenges Murano to a big winner take all match, one that will be attended by luminaries like “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, Bruno Sammartino, and “Classy” Freddie Blassie! Can “Quick” Rick and Tonga Tom take out The Cannibals once and for all? Or has Harry gone overboard for the last time, a decision which could cost his guys their careers?
Body Slam became an instant favorite of mine as a child, and once I recorded it on VHS it became one of my most watched videotapes. The combination of Roddy Piper (who has always been one of my favorites) and Dirk Benedict was just too cool for my 7 year old self to comprehend. Nostalgia has helped this one retain its cool factor, and Kino Lorber’s new Blu-Ray helped the film to earn a new fan in my son. The rewatch did bring a few things to mind; Roberts is wasted in her role, because she’s more of a subplot than a major player. Also, I’m not sure there was one concept for the band Kick that the writers could stick to. At one point they come off as glam rock, but then during one of the wrestling shows they’re doing a “Born In The USA” knockoff called “American Way”. You would think that young, hip wrestling fans in the mid-80’s would lean more towards Twister Sister than Springsteen, unless Harry suggested they go after that 50+ demo that WWE seems to adore these days. Last, I’m disappointed that we didn’t get a scene where Rick and Tom stick up for Smilac and brawl with the Samoans to wrap up that little slice of the story.
I don’t know how well Body Slam would have fared had it been released in theaters (a lawsuit prevented this one from premiering on the big screen), but repeated viewings on cable through the mid 90’s allowed it to build a strong following. Now after years of people having to rely on VHS rips and YouTube clips it’s back in the public eye, sitting there waiting for you to add it to your Amazon cart…and you should! This is a film with hard rock, headlocks, and heart. What more could you possibly ask for?
