Reviewed initially March 30, 2010 – Updated for our evergreen wrestling collection
When Real Life Hits Harder Than Any Finishing Move
Fighting tigers and grizzly bears with his bare hands wasn’t just another Tuesday for Stu Hart – it was how he built professional wrestling in Western Canada from the ground up in 1948. If that doesn’t grab you by the throat and demand your attention, you haven’t been paying attention to what makes the Hart family the most legendary wrestling dynasty in history.
WWE finally got its act together and showcased this incredible family story in their three-disc masterpiece, WWE Hart and Soul: The Hart Family Anthology. And brother, this isn’t just a DVD set – it’s a masterclass in how real life can deliver more devastating blows than any steel chair to the skull.
Disc One: The Documentary That Will Destroy You Emotionally
The opening documentary doesn’t just tell Stu Hart’s story; it grabs you by the collar and drags you through every triumph and tragedy this family endured. From Stu meeting his wife Helen to raising 12 children who would change the wrestling world forever, this isn’t your typical wrestling documentary fluff.
We get the real story – how the Harts froze together in one room during brutal Canadian winters, surviving on hand-me-downs passed down six times over. But here’s what separates the Harts from every other wrestling family: they didn’t just survive poverty, they turned it into the foundation for greatness.
The Hart Dungeon: Where Legends Were Forged
Current World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho shares war stories about his grueling training in the legendary Hart Dungeon, and you can see the genuine respect (and probably some lingering PTSD) in his eyes when he talks about training with the late Owen Hart. This wasn’t some corporate training facility – this was where grown men went to get their souls crushed and rebuilt into something stronger.
Success, Tragedy, and the Price of Greatness
The documentary doesn’t shy away from the brutal reality that success in wrestling often comes with a devastating price tag. When Bret, Davey Boy Smith, Owen, and Jim Neidhart finally hit the big time, it should have been the happiest chapter in Hart family history. And for a while, it was.
Bret became one of the most recognizable Canadians of all time – a legitimate icon who’s still considered one of the greatest ever to lace up boots. But wrestling giveth, and wrestling taketh away with interest.
Watch our interview with Bruce Hart
The Dark Years: When Reality Became Too Real
Starting in 1997, the Hart family got hit with a series of tragedies that would have broken lesser families. The sudden death of family friend Brian Pillman was just the opening bell. Then came the Montreal Screwjob – a betrayal so profound it’s still discussed today. But that was nothing compared to what followed.
Within five years, the family lost Owen, Stu, Helen, and Davey Boy Smith. Bret nearly joined them when he suffered a stroke that almost ended his life. Watching the surviving family members discuss these losses isn’t just emotional – it’s absolutely devastating. This is hands down the most tear-jerking WWE DVD ever released, and that’s not hyperbole.
The Remaining Family: Strength Through Unimaginable Grief
The raw emotions of the surviving Hart family members during their darkest times showcase a level of courage and perseverance that makes their wrestling accomplishments seem almost secondary. These aren’t actors playing roles – these are real people who’ve been through hell and somehow found the strength to honor their loved ones’ memories.
The Hart Dynasty: Carrying the Torch Forward
The documentary ends on a high note with the Hart Dynasty carrying on the family legacy. With their recent television push at the time, this DVD perfectly positioned them to become the next generation of Hart superstars. It’s a reminder that some legacies are too powerful to die with their creators.
Discs Two and Three: Wrestling Perfection in Action
While die-hard fans might have seen most of these matches before, watching them again serves as a masterclass in storytelling. The Harts weren’t just wrestlers – they were artists who could make you believe every near-fall, every comeback, and every devastating defeat.
From the legendary SummerSlam ’92 Intercontinental Championship match between Bret and Davey Boy Smith at Wembley Stadium to the emotional roller coaster of brother-versus-brother battles, these matches showcase why the Hart family didn’t just participate in wrestling history – they defined it.
Special Features That Hit Different
The bonus content alone is worth the price of admission. “Stu vs. The Tiger” gives you exactly what the title promises, while “Owen the Prankster” shows the lighter side of a man who could make you laugh as easily as he could make you tap out. “A Hart Family Thanksgiving – 1987” captures the family at their peak, making the later tragedies even more poignant.
The Verdict: Essential Wrestling History
This DVD focuses on the Hart family’s contributions to wrestling rather than dwelling on bitter rivalries, and that’s precisely the right call. For fans who know little about the Harts, this is the perfect introduction. For die-hard fans, it’s a reminder of why this family set the gold standard for professional wrestling excellence.
Technical Details:
- Rating: PG (though the emotional content hits like an R-rated drama)
- Runtime: 540 minutes of pure wrestling history
- Release Date: April 6, 2010
- Publisher: E1 Entertainment
Final Rating: Five Stars and a Standing Ovation
WWE Hart and Soul: The Hart Family Anthology isn’t just a must-have for Hart family fans – it’s essential viewing for anyone who wants to understand what makes professional wrestling more than just entertainment. It’s a story about family, perseverance, and the price of greatness that transcends sports entertainment.
This is wrestling documentary filmmaking at its absolute finest. Whether you’re discovering the Hart legacy for the first time or revisiting it years later, this anthology delivers the emotional impact of a perfect finishing move – devastating, unforgettable, and absolutely essential.
Highest recommendation from the Wrestling Uncensored crew. This is what wrestling documentaries should aspire to be.
WWE HART AND SOUL: The Ultimate Wrestling Dynasty Documentary
Stu Hart created the greatest professional wrestling family in Canada and arguably one of the greatest families ever in pro wrestling. World Wrestling Entertainment finally showcases this for the first time in their newest three-disc DVD set, Hart and Soul: The Hart Family Anthology.
