- Title: Bret “Hitman” Hart: The Best There Is, The Best There Was, The Best There Ever Will Be
- IMDB: link
Bret Hart wasn’t as strong as Hulk Hogan, as quick as the “Macho Man” Randy Savage, as titillating as Shawn Michaels or as controversial as Steve Austin. What Bret Hart brought to the ring was a professionalism and a strong work ethic to always put on the best show for the fans. Beloved all over the world Bret was able to make every opponent raise the bar and put on the best matches of their career. This collection is a wonderful reminder of the Hitman’s career.
The documentary begins by chronicling the life of Bret Hart growing up in Calgary with his large family. All of Bret’s older brothers were involved in the wrestling business run by Bret’s father Stu Hart. From the age of four Bret would sit and watch matches and learn about the sport that would later make him a star. His early amateur background is chronicled as well as his work in Stampede Wrestling for his father.
Bret talks about his early days in the WWE and his first matches. We get a match between Bret and Ricky Steamboat in early 1986 in Boston Garden, as well as several matches of the Hart Foundation with his brother-in-law Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart with Jimmy Hart as their manager. This team still remains one of the best tag teams in WWE history and Bret talks fondly of those days and how much he owes Neidhart for helping him break into the WWE.
In the documentary and in the extra DVD matches Bret’s ascension to headliner is chronicled. His two Intercontinental Title matches at Summerslam in 1991 and 1992, the first with Mr. Perfect and the second with his brother-in-law the British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith are included as well as a look at Bret’s championships, his in ring feud with his brother, and his late turn as a heel (bad guy).
Bret also talks candidly about how he left the WWE in what remains one of the strangest moments in WWE history, the death of his brother Owen in the ring, and the concussion and stroke that ended his own career. One of the best extras is Bret discussing all of the wrestlers he has known and respected who passed away so suddenly.
The matches also illustrate the the evolution of Bret as a wrester as well as the “Hitman” character. They help put his 20 year career in perspective as well as demonstrate how well he worked with whoever he was put in the ring with and highlight his ability as a storyteller through his matches.
For those who don’t know the story of Bret Hart this is an entertaining look at his life and career. He discusses friends and family and being on the road 320 plus days a year for most of his twenty year career. We get insights and stories about Bret’s family, especially the brothers Hart as well as a look at Bret’s relationship with Vince McMahon, their falling out, and the new reconciliation that allowed this DVD to be made.
A worthy 3-Disc set overflowing with matches and a nice addition for any fan of Bret’s or of the WWE to add to their collection, though the documentary is the highlight of the package. His story of triumph and tragedy is well chronicled. It’s also a nice look at a period of transition in the WWE as they moved away from the Hulk Hogan years, but still hadn’t reached what is known as the Attitude Era. Though not the strongest, biggest or fastest, Bret Hart still remains the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be. If you don’t believe me grab your own copy available now.