Directed by Barry Blaustein (a former writer for "Saturday Night Live" and co-screenwriter of several Eddie Murphy movies), Beyond the Mat does several different things: it shows aspiring wrestlers trying to make it, locates some once-famous wrestlers who have disappeared from the spotlight, and looks at a few current big names as they live personal lives very different from their public ones.

Take, for instance, the wrestler known as Mankind, a.k.a. Mick Foley. He's the one who hides behind a Hannibal Lecter mask and wears a sweatsock on his hand. Although renowned for the incessant brutality he both takes and receives, Mankind is actually a devoted family man with a wife and two small children. He takes great pains to let his children know that the other wrestlers aren't going to "hurt Daddy." (In a scene of shocking sadness, his family nonetheless becomes traumatized watching Foley get brutally pummelled by "The Rock"; Blaustein shows him the tape of his wife and children crying in agony, and his reaction is heartbreaking.)

Pro wrestler and crack addict Jake "The Snake" Roberts

Other wrestlers seem pretty much like their stage personas. Jake "The Snake" Roberts was once a world-famous pro, much-admired by fans for his angry intensity. These days, Roberts wrestles in the "amateur leagues" of the sport. Being washed-up is the least of his problems; he is still unable to peacefully resolve things with his hostile father and estranged daughter, both of whom he encounters in front of the camera. To ease his pain, Roberts hits the crack pipe. The guy faces demons even worse than those he encountered in the ring.

Still others refuse to disappear so gracelessly. Another pro wrestling veteran, Terry Funk, is also in a lesser league, but he still willingly takes his knocks. Despite doctor's warnings that continued participation will permanently disable him, Funk climbs back into the ring to entertain the fans. Funk helps to illustrate one of the key points of Beyond the Mat: while the characters and storylines in pro wrestling are fake, the injuries are quite real. For instance, a teenage fan comments post-match that Funk still "kicks ass," not knowing that his hero is having his skull stitched together backstage.

The violence in Beyond the Mat is quite brutal. I had no idea just how nasty it really is. The audience seems to have a blood lust which the wrestlers are all too eager to provide. Apparently, the combination of big money (which the top wrestlers earn) and stardom (which they all want) is enough incentive to allow them to be bashed over the head with a metal folding chair. Blaustein tells us that this is "theater," a performance put on by actors who know there is pain involved. To some, it may seem barbaric but to the fans, it's high drama.

Sometimes getting clocked isn't even the worst thing that can happen during a match. One wannabe wrestler takes a meeting with WWF kingpin Vince McMahon. The guy's stage name is "Puke" because he is able to vomit on command. The idea is for him to regurgitate on his enemies in the ring. Regrettably, he never makes the cut, although we do get the pleasure (?) of seeing him display his unusual talent.

I have a theory about documentaries: great ones always have moments where the camera captures something you don't expect to see. Beyond the Mat has its share of them. I was stunned to see several big name wrestlers acting like perfect gentlemen around Mankind's wife and children (including The Rock, who was about to inflict so much punishment). I was also compelled by the sight of Funk trying to convince another has-been to referee his final match. The most unforgettable image, though, has to be the one of Mick Foley's family watching in horror as he loses to The Rock. His daughter buries her head in her mother's chest, his son weeps openly, his wife screams with every blow. These people have to watch someone they love make a living by getting beaten to a bloody pulp. The money Mankind makes will insure college educations for his kids and a secure future for he and his wife. It's a strange world indeed.

( 1/2 out of four)

Beyond the Mat is rated R for language and brutal wrestling violence. The running time is 1 hour and 37 minutes.