Press "Enter" to skip to content

HBO’s “André the Giant” puts size in perspective

He was born a human like the rest of us. His enormous size put him at a physical advantage, but put his health at a disadvantage.

Gentle giant André Roussimoff, better known as André the Giant, revolutionized the sport of wrestling, and HBO’s recently released documentary reflected the late André’s touching personality and command of respect.

As this documentary appeals not just to wrestling or sports fans, any audience member can marvel at the 7-foot-4-inch 520-pound life of André’s: how he functioned each day, how he traveled on planes and how he drank an intense amount of alcohol.

André was an extraordinary case of nature, but the documentary preserved him as a human, not an anomaly of society. The film shows old black and white footage of André, before he was known as the giant from the French Alps. He measures at a more familiar height of 6 feet 9 inches and 309 pounds; you could call him a less monumental nickname like “André The Really Tall Guy.”

A the story rolls on you come to realize that he once lived a lifestyle more familiar to the majority of people. Even with his size, he was just like any other human. He laughed, he cried, he hurt and he loved. The film does a fantastic job separating the persona of André the Giant from the authentic and tender André Roussimoff.

Though the recounting of his life was the underlying subject, the history of wrestling also plays a fun role in the film. Director Jason Hehir, known for the 2011 ESPN 30-for-30 film, “The Fab Five,” orchestrates an ensemble to play to any wrestling fan’s liking.

We are briefed with the beginnings of wrestling great Hulk Hogan’s rise to dominance, the behind-the-scenes of “WrestleMania III” and Vince McMahon’s national cable television conquest of the wrestling world. Ric Flair also makes a great appearance and asserts some hilarious assumptions when discussing André’s personal life.

Both Hogan and McMahon are involved in emotional interviews when reminiscing about André. Watching fully grown men – who are usually fabricating wrestling matches – express real emotion is a somber experience. Their emotion, however, constructs the legitimacy of André’s legacy in a style of respect and friendship.

In wrestling, “more than meets the eye,” is a common theme that must be kept in mind. Retaining a sense of fantasy in wrestling enhances enjoyment, but it is good to remember the reality of the situation. But one thing that cannot be falsified in the sport is the pure strength of André. He was the ultimate showman. He was fantasy as he was a reality. He could lift two men up and throw them around like dolls. He didn’t need a cape. No prop could improve him. No mask would enhance his popularity.

André was an innovator. “He did sports entertainment before there was sports entertainment,” Hogan declared. “By just being himself, André ascended to superstardom, all starting with what he simply liked to do: wrestle

Copyright © 2023, The Scout, Bradley University. All rights reserved.
The Scout is published by members of the student body of Bradley University. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the University.