Watch The Russian Lion

The Russian Lion is a 1949 biographical sports film directed by Douglas Sirk. The film tells the story of a young boy from Ukraine, George Hackenschmidt (Gus Lesnevich), who moves to St. Petersburg to study law. However, his love of wrestling quickly takes over and he becomes one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. The film is set in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and it portrays the challenges that Hackenschmidt faced as he rose to fame. One of the biggest challenges was the different styles of wrestling that were popular in different countries. Hackenschmidt was trained in the catch-as-catch-can style of wrestling, which was popular in England and America, but was less popular in his native Russia.

Despite these challenges, Hackenschmidt quickly made a name for himself in the wrestling world. He became known as "The Russian Lion" and was a dominant force in the sport. He won the European championship in 1902 and then the world championship in 1905.

The film also shows the personal life of Hackenschmidt, including his relationship with his wife, Esther (played by Mady Christians), and his friendship with fellow wrestler Frank Gotch (played by Freddie Steele). Hackenschmidt and Gotch had one of the most famous matches in wrestling history, which is shown in the film.

The Russian Lion is an exciting and engaging film that captures the spirit of wrestling during its early years. The performances are strong, particularly from Lesnevich and Steele, who bring a sense of intensity and athleticism to their roles. The wrestling scenes are well choreographed and exciting to watch.

Overall, The Russian Lion is a must-see film for fans of wrestling and sports movies. It is a fascinating look at one of the greatest wrestlers of all time and the challenges he faced on his journey to the top. The film is a testament to the power of determination and hard work, and it is sure to inspire audiences of all ages.

The Russian Lion is a 2022 documentary with a runtime of 20 minutes.