User reviews

Every bodybuilding and Arnold fan has always been sad that there doesn't exist more footage of Arnold pumping iron back in the 70s. This documentary features so much footage which we've never seen before. Not only video footage from the gym but also footage from movie premieres and forgotten interviews. This is a must-watch for every Arnold fan.

Even fans who have read his biography have something to learn. And for those who have not been in for a ride. A superbly edited documentary that keeps the viewer's attention throughout. Not only informative but also motivational. Arnold showed us all that the American dream is possible. You can do anything as long as you set your mind to it. Arnold is a legend.

My husband and I watched all three episodes last night. It's one of the best documentaries I've seen. Very candid and we liked that the person being documented is actually the one doing the talking. He comes across as a very driven person, smarter than a lot people think he is. (Probably the accent and those action movies). He has worked really hard all his life invested his earning wisely. He gives a lot of credit to all the people who have helped him along the way. He actually says " Don't call me a self made man". I've had lots and lots of help". He covers in the three episodes, his early career in bodybuilding along with his relationship with his parents and brother growing up in Austria, his movie career and his political career. He made me believe that he is actually a pretty nice guy who has some flaws and owns up to some mistakes he has made and that he tries to do the right thing. If you are a fan, you will be even a bigger one and if you aren't a fan, you may be surprised more than once and become one.

I was surprised. The transparency and depth of his background really surprised me. The first episode sees Arnold opening up about his home town and parental upbringing. He doesn't pull any punches here. Seeing him in the very same bedroom...and bed...where he began his quest was mind blowing for me. Hi journey to America was detailed as was his acknowledgement of those who supported him...both financially and physically. Franco and Frank were key in his personal life providing guidance and friendship. It was a breath of fresh air to hear him open up about steroids as well. I am really looking forward to the next 2 episodes, hoping he leaves the vegan nonsense out of it. A great documentary so far.

I've always liked him, but never knew much about him till now. I knew he was a bodybuilder, wealthy from real estate, was Governor and had an affair, but that was all I knew really. These filmmakers and editors were quite brilliant in their delivery of information about an extremely driven and engaging person who has truly done things his way, but realizes that he could never do it alone.

He is humble, observant, smart, self-reflective, honest in his look at family, his foibles and strengths, and an incredible person from start to finish. And he loves an array of animals! He has changed the world in so many varying ways, film, politics, climate change, sports, popular history and more, that it is outstanding that we have had the opportunity to live in the same time period as this powerhouse.

Bravo to the filmmakers, and thank you Arnold for your contributions to the world.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is simply one of the most incredible human beings on this planet and this documentary shows why in a very beautiful and elegant way.

That a guy, born in the middle of Austrian nowhere, can achieve just one of the careers of Arnold is a miracle in itself. That he championed THREE careers and made everything that he envisioned as a kid a reality is virtually impossible.

Watching this you will find yourself laughing and shaking your head in disbelief at the sheer absurdity of how is somehow able to make all his way too and completely unrealistic dreams come true. And then some.

And that he seems to have managed to stay a *normal guy* through all this, is even more amazing.

I really wouldn't be surprised if he soon says *by the way, I will grow me some wings and fly around the world* and then just do it. 😂 would fit right into his biography.

Thanks for this gem of a documentary.

This series is a must see for Arnold fans and everyone else. One of the best biographies I've ever seen. Not only offering details of one of the most influential people in the past century, but this series should inspire everyone who watches it. Even though I think it needed one more episode, it's still packed full of details, photos, and videos I've never seen before. Some cutting room floor clips from Pumping Iron, but some footage is shocking as I don't know where it came from? Arnold's life should be required study for all young people on how to think about life after high school or college. Highly recommended.

I grew up loving Arnold. Watched Predator two dozen times. When T2 hit theaters, I was 16. Nobody was bigger or cooler or more fun to imitate.

I've enjoyed him, too in his older years, even as his movies got a little creaky, for his seemingly earnest politics. He's a fascinating guy, but this doc fell short for me.

A documentary should reveal its subject. Not just give you the highlights, but truly peek behind the curtain. Having a star produce his own film is a conflict of interest in that regard. We don't get anything really insightful here, just a three part puff piece that glosses over anything salty or potentially interesting. Really? Your father went to war for the Nazi party? Let's talk about that. Let's talk about the women in your youth, let's really talk about the Kennedy family and what it's like to marry into American royalty.

I enjoyed the look back, of course, but was left unsatisfied and, frankly, a little bored. This is Arnold on Arnold, the king of brand management doing a documentary about himself. It's apropos of our time and selfie culture, our curated Instagram public selves, fear of Me Too and cancel culture. Arnold may be one of the last true mega celebrities of our time; there was just something underwhelming that his life is boiled down to a Netflix three-parter he carefully curated himself.

6/10.

A man with many visions! What a great example of never giving up and learn how to overcome obstacles even when everyone around you keep saying: "No, it cant be done"! I wish i had his mindset growing up. But seriously, how many lifetimes would you need to accomplish all the things he did in his life? Moving America, learn the language, become famous for lifting weight, become a blockbuster star then cherry on top running for governor of of a state and winning the election. If thats not impressive than I dont know what is.

He is also a great motivational speaker who inspire and challenge his audience. Definitely worth to watch!

I am not only a movie buff from France but also a former bodybuilder from my late teen and early adult years. I was totally dedicated in this sport, totally. It was my blood, my spirit, my guts, my sweat. Arnold Schwarzenneger was my idol. I read more stuff about him than anyone else, I bought enough Joe Weider's Muscle Builder magazines to fill up a warehouse or a library, I watched PUMPING IRON dozens of times and thought I knew everything about Arnold. But after watching this series, I suddenly realize how wrong I was. I learned no many things here, saw so many archives videos, footage that I am stunned. And here Arnold is so honest, so sensitive, so poignant. He tells everything about his childhood, his family life with his brother, father, mother, his feelings, his mistakes. He hides absolutely nothing. Except MAYBE sexual details.... He even admits to have taken steroids four months a year during the first part of the seventies, preparing his Mr Olympia contests. He also admits, confesses to have behaved like a German war machine, a robot, an unbeatable, indestructible machine, as later his terrific TERMINATOR character, at least the first one, forget the rest for me. Yes TERMINATOR is the best allegory of what Arnold was during his contest years, a war machine to win, a smart, brilliant machine, millions miles away from all clichés about muscle bound, beefcakes bobybuilders. Arnold was the antithesis of the common bodybuilding image. He did more for bodybuilding - and also himself of course, because he was the most selfish man in the world - he admits it - than any other champion since. But as an actor, he had only a presence, he has never been a actor for me, ONLY A PRESENCE, A F...PRESENCE: TERMINATOR, CONAN THE BARBARIAN and a couple of other excellent flicks such as PREDATOR. This is a damn good document about A S, the best ever for me. He had great genetics, was strong minded, the determination to move mountains, and above all was lucky enough to meet the proper, "good" persons, first in Munich, back in the sixties, and then of course later with the likes of Joe Weider and the Kennedy family, and I am sure many more people in the movie industry. Because, I know, of his terrific charm. Many bodybuilders were luckier than him in terms of genetics - Sergio Oliva - many bodybuilders were also very determined, but those athletes were less lucky than him, less intelligent and also had less charm. I just try here to analyze the reasons of his success.

Arnie's story has a little bit of everything - it is to noone's surprise that Netflix attempts a 3-episode mini-series based on his life. Here, the segregation makes perfect sense. This also helps cover various details and developments primarily from the perspective of Arnold himself, alongside the people who were around him in these distinct phases. Part 1 is interesting to those who'd like to know more about his uneasy upbringing in Austria, his body-building days, and the various struggles he faced while also showcasing superlative levels of ambition and determination. For those who have seen Pumping Iron, there probably won't be much to chew on, but hearing it all from the horse's mouth once again (w/ remarkable footage) is always captivating.

Part 2 focuses on what we already know a lot about, with folks like James Cameron, Danny DeVito, Jamie Lee Curtis, and his arch-rival (of the times) Sly Stallone offering insights into his much celebrated film career. This is the episode where Arnie gets a bit self-indulgent, and he, for sure, indirectly propagated the idea of masculinity among mainstream audiences by being the invincible saviour (or the killing machine) - bikes, tanks, leather jackets, cigars, and a beefy body all part of the "star" package. It's the same thing that WWE did with Hulk Hogan back then. They created a pop culture icon that Americans and people around the world could look up to. But when you look at Arnie's filmography, you wouldn't stumble across many memorable characters except for The Terminator, and that isn't the kind of role you get a Golden Globe or an Academy Award nomination for.

Part 3 was truly the most discerning, given how his political career boasted greater dramatic highs and lows compared to his film career. His personal life also goes for a toss at this time, with past demons catching up to him. Thankfully, his failures are not brushed aside as insignificant, and they're duly acknowledged. In fact, it is clearly reflected in the way how Arnie lives his life in his mansion mostly around a bunch of animals (and not his family), and only one of his children agree to feature in the series, and even she doesn't offer a sound bite. The separation from his wife Maria and the late acceptance of a child-out-of-wedlock are also discussed, and surprisingly, there's a short scene of Arnie and his neglected son (who resembles him the most) working out together too.

Considering the overall picture, this is Arnold telling his version of his story. It is beautifully told, and the visual choices employed by director Lesley Chilcott are enjoyable (especially loved that dimly lit room where Arnie sits and glances at photographs). He will continue to remain a man who made a difference - be it in the world of body-building, cinema, or politics.

I love Arnold. I have followed his career my whole life, and wasn't sure if I would watch this because I felt I knew everything I needed to know about Arnold. I was wrong. This is a really great, and honest, documentary about the meteoric rise and challenges of this complex man. While we know the story of Schwarzenegger, what this film does is provides the man's guided journey through the, not only the circumstances, but his thoughts and feelings. The archival footage, and the modern interviews, are all well woven together to make this an exceptional docuseries. I often complain that most modern documentaries are too long-this one, at three parts, is just right. I recommend it.

As a kid that grown in the 80's Arnold Schwarzenegger was with Silvester Stallone and Jean Claude Van Damme my favorite action heroes.

They were real influencers to the kids. Probably Arnold was the one who made a big difference in three different habitats. Bodybuilding, Acting and politics.

I really enjoyed the documentary and all the footage used here. My favorite episodes are the first and second. Not third. I think third one was too long talking about politics and too short talking about his failures in real life. I think they should shown more a vulnerable Arnie and not only 10 seconds.

Anyway, overall is a great documentary for Arnold fans mostly and I can recommend to Gen Z too. Hasta la vista Baby.

No doubt, a cultural icon with a wide-ranging life such as Arnold warrants a docu-series in the contemporary media landscape. It was one of the reasons I was drawn to watch.

*Positives*

Format: Designating the episodes to each career phase was in my opinion the best move. 'Athlete', 'Actor' & 'American'. This gave each episode an opportunity to be fully-formed and singular films within the docu-series. The obvious thread that bounded all three was Arnold the 'entertainer'.

Archive: When a documentary has the materials based in time in which the story is being told at, this to me makes for a deeper and immersive experience. The fast-dying trope of reconstructed sequences shot in present-day to stylistically represent past moments are both jarring and non-distinct. However, this series was also guilty of the latter.

Coverage: Essentially a 3-hour documentary, the series managed to cover (albeit brush over) a rich spectrum of Arnold's life.

*Negatives*

Curator: Having Arnold take the viewer on a guided-tour through his life sounded okay from the outset. But this was dependent on whether he would allow himself to be vulnerable, show humility and courageous with deeper truths. Unfortunately, this wasn't the case. What we got was a hyper-self-aggrandizing version of Arnold trying to entertain while ticking every autobiographical cliche box. It felt artificial and highly-protective of the actual truth. Even with moments of fallibility, this would be swept up quickly to move onto the next 'win'. I also came to feel disappointed that Arnold was re-embracing the cartoony caricature, which I thought he'd shook off in the past decade.

Pacing: Though the pacing was fine at first, it began to fall apart with such nonsensical inserts of Arnold driving his 'toys' about while smoking a cigar. These added nothing but allusions of someone coming off as desperate to still be seen as 'Commando' or of that ilk. What was also dumbfounding was how very little time was given to his brother Meinhard's death.

Key Moments Short-Changed: Continuing with Meinhard's death, there was something very cold and void of emotion when Arnold was narrating to the camera about his brother's tragic passing. The nonchalant delivery and absence of attachment left me wondering, "is that it?" This criminally-brief sequence was an opportunity to see Arnold open up, but instead we got a pedestrian sequence. Considering how much Arnold lamented over the depression of his films like 'Last Action Hero' (a personal favourite of mine) failing after the success of 'Terminator 2', you'd think he would lend a similar feeling of sadness to expressing some note of loss for his brother, regardless of whether their relationship was strained or not.

In conclusion, it was a disappointing docu-series that would've fared much better in the hands of a neutral curator. But it's quite obvious that this film was part of a Netflix packaged-deal.

Arnold's is a very good example of how to make big in America and live the American dream. Its the years of hard work, consistently pushing yourself that made him a success story.

He kept winning in life and achieving whatever he set his sights on, " Ï'll be back " isnt just a dialogue, its so befitting on Arnold and his whole life. Arnold rightly says that if one has a vision in life, one can achieve it by consistent hard work & commitment.

I really appreciate the honesty with which Arnold accepted his mistakes and felt sorry for them.

This is a very well made documentary/biography and touched upon all major aspects of Arnold's life.

I've always been an Arnold fan, his personal indiscretions aside, he epitomizes hard work and the American dream. Watching this limited series brought to light some new things I didn't know about Arnold and his upbringing, some of his less successful moments in life on his way to the top. I personally enjoyed watching and enjoy the entertainment Arnold has brought to the world with his larger than life characters and fun action flicks over the years. It was always something to look forward to an Arnold blockbuster every Summer or over Thanksgiving weekend. No one can say Arnold didn't hustle harder than most of us to get where he did.

'Arnold' (2023) is actually really good. At first glance it appears as another propagandic celebrity docuseries, but Arnold once again chooses to take on another challenge head-on even when he could have just focused only on the positive aspects of his career.

This docuseries will convince you that Arnold is exactly as he appears to be. And the Governator goes in-depth to explain his background and how he has always dealt with challenges.

This series is divided into 3 episodes covering his early-life and bodybuilding career, acting career, and his later life from his time as Governor of California up to 2023. This format resembles his autobiography, 'Total Recall' (2012). It covers pretty much all you thought you knew and everything you didn't even know about.

Arnold Schwarzenegger has always been a man with a vision and mission to achieve this vision. If you love Arnold you will be in awe this whole series. But even if you are only somewhat familiar with Arnie, this series will ignite a fire in you as learn how motivation and a vision can change one's life.

Give it a watch. Its really good.

I've always been a fan of Arnold. And being raised by Europeans myself, I get it. The nuances of his upbringing. He's always made me laugh over the decades and I admire his tenacity. This is a pretty good doc basically told by him as a story and it works.

The Terminator is hands down one of my favorite movies of all time. And I grew up quoting Arnold from that and Kindergarten Cop "it's not a tumor" to this day. As do so many.

I'd love to work with him someday. Terminator the Last Batch? Instead of "Twins", "Siblings"?

He's an inspiration who shows what hard work can achieve.

I highly recommend this doc.

You don't have to watch this three-part documentary with any trepidation because Arnold Schwarzenegger already inspires either awe or derision even before the first moments of this biography. However, there's no getting around the fact that he is a textbook example of personal reinvention, success fulfillment, and brand management, each aspect driven by his take-no-prisoners dedication. It's an amazing track record to become the world's greatest bodybuilder, then Hollywood's box office champion, and finally (for now) governor of California. Using Arnold to tell his own story seems like a good idea initially, but the force of his personality just doesn't allow for much introspection on his failures or lessons learned. He makes his perspective clear in the third installment where he recounts how public scrutiny uncovered a past marked by inappropriate behavior toward women and an extramarital affair with his housekeeper that led to his son out of wedlock. At the end, one can't help but wonder what Arnold's Act 4 will be. If he had not been born in Austria, I think we know the answer.

Thhis is a very honest and open look at the legend that is at Arnold Swarzeneggar. His ego led the way through the 80's, rivalries, ambition making headlines all over the world.

In this mini series we see where his ambition started, the drive to eliminate emotions to win. Arnold succeeded in 3 very distinct fields.

Throughout the series, we see Arnold in a new light. The machine has a heart. He has a vision of the future and he has made mistakes. Mistakes that in the end shaped the old man Arnie.

Love him or hate him, this is an insightful look at the man behind the terminator with interviews with friends and rivals.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is a larger than life character, both literally in his prime, and in terms of charisma. I think the era when I grew up was the era of these really muscular action stars not only in films but in other entertainment like the WWF. And it's kind of funny how there was a big scandal when it was discovered that professional wrestlers were using steroids, but Arnold had admitted to using steroids a decade previously in the great film Pumping Iron and claimed that all bodybuilders use steroids. This documentary series does a good job of showing his charisma but also the contradictions in his character. For example, he is well known for his environmentalism, but he is also credited with popularizing hummers, the most anti-eco form of transportation man has ever invented. There's also this contradiction between his supernatural drive to be successful at whatever he does and the darkness that resides in his soul due to being raised by an abusive Nazi. And while it is clear that this documentary would have never been made without the subject's permission, it doesn't shy away from criticizing him for his sexual scandals and also the failings of his personal life. This documentary series allows the subject to be himself, but also examines what his life has meant. Very well done.

I've always been a huge Arnold fan, his movies were always clearly very corny but were entertaining. Early on in the first episode I have a new level of respect for Arnold and how he set his goals and stuck to them and made what he wanted out of life. By halfway through episode 2 I wanted to turn it off; the man is so arrogant and confident for someone who is one of the worst actors I've ever seen. I was expecting him to laugh at himself and make jokes about his acting abilities because I thought it was obvious he is not a good actor but he truly believes he is and what blows my mind is after reading some of these reviews, you guys do too. He was great as the Terminator, I will never deny that, but to act like this man has great range is almost insulting to all the real actors out there. I liked him when I thought he thought it was funny, him thinking he's truly a great actor, changes my opinion a little.

Very difficult to get past the fact that Arnold quite obviously glazed over his brother and fathers passing like margarine on bread. The fact that so many look up to this guy is a representation of American society as it is now. Yes of course there are a few well timed moments of support for people with disabilities but I mean really look at his story - it seems he never mourned his brother or father because he was too focused on his own goals.. the American dream maybe.. but what is a legacy without doing good by them? This guy appeals to those who think the only drive in life is self-success.

I just finished watching the documentary.

I knew a little bit about his life but the documentary covers every bit of it.

The guy is so honest and never afraid of hiding the truth when he is wrong.

No one I know of so far had a life like his. 3 completely different fields and then coming out as winner in all those fields that no body believed could be possible.

The documentary is divided into 3 parts and I would suggest to watch all those 3 parts in order to better understand see how the dots connect.

I know he is mostly known as a bodybuilding champion and there is a lot more to it than his bodybuilding.

Inspiring and perhaps will bring a change in your thought process. A perfect documentary on a perfect man we all wanna be.