The Smashing Machine
The Smashing Machine

Movie·2002·1h 33m

The Smashing Machine

The Life and Times of Extreme Cage Fighter Mark Kerr

Country

United States of America

Language

English

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// overview

The Story

An unflinching look at the life and story of Mark Kerr between 1999 and 2001, an intelligent, articulate, and emotionally vulnerable athlete, considered by many at the time to be the most dominant ultimate fighter in the world. A former Olympic wrestler, Kerr easily dominated all his opponents, earning him the nickname "The Smashing Machine." With the promise of big money and the euphoria of his early victories, Kerr must battle his injuries and inner fears. The shock of these fights takes a heavy toll on his body and mind, and Kerr attempts to overcome these physical and psychological traumas by turning to painkillers. Kerr's addiction is shown in its raw form, with the camera capturing him desperately soliciting drugs from friends and staff, and injecting painkillers into his veins. His shocking defeat to Fujita in Japan shows us a story that is sometimes difficult and heartbreaking to watch.

Producer

Michael Robinson, Jon Greenhalgh

Cinematography

Stephen Schlueter

Music

Michael Krassner

Editor

John Hyams

Themes

sportsextreme sportsdrug addictionmixed martial arts (mma)cage fightingfightingcombat sportspro wrestlerstrikerultimate fighting championship (ufc)octogonpride fighting championships

Production House

Solaris Film
HBO Documentary Films

Audience Score

70%

19 votes

Skip10%
Timepass23%
Go for it38%
Perfection29%

Where to watch

Region: AU

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// cast

Cast

Mark Kerr

Self

Bas Rutten

Bas Rutten

Self

Mark Coleman

Mark Coleman

Self

Royce Gracie

Royce Gracie

Self

Dawn Staples

Self

Eddie Goldman

Self

Ken Kilpatrick

Ken Kilpatrick

Self

Igor Vovchanchyn

Igor Vovchanchyn

Self

// crew

Crew

John Hyams

John Hyams

Director, Editor

Jordan Mokriski

Editor

Michael Robinson

Executive Producer

Jon Greenhalgh

Producer

Gavin O'Connor

Gavin O'Connor

Executive Producer

Greg O'Connor

Executive Producer

Kevin Goodman

Executive Producer

Jerry McFadden

Executive Producer

Stephen Schlueter

Director of Photography

Michael Krassner

Original Music Composer

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