For the Love of Catch

'For The Love of Catch' is a brilliant 2022 documentary about the legendary technique and history of catch-as-catch-can wrestling, which is not just a sport or a game but a lifeline for many influential people around the world. Directed by Matthew Kaplowitz, this film masterfully showcases the raw vigor, tactical skills, and indomitable determination required to survive in this little-known sporting world. The film is a deep-rooted exploration of one of the world’s oldest and most effective combat sports. It offers a close-up look at the people who have dedicated their lives to this sport and passionately keep the spirit of catch wrestling alive in the modern era.

Randy Couture, a former U.S Army sergeant, retired mixed martial artist, and Greco-Roman wrestler and actor, leads the exploration into the world of catch wrestling. He uses his experience and expertise to dissect the sport’s evolution over the years and its contribution to the broader spectrum of wrestling forms, including mixed martial arts (MMA). Known for his exceptional grappling skills and secure holds, Couture's insights provide an interesting viewpoint to the intricate relationship between catch wrestling and the athletes who swear by its practiced discipline.

Sharing screen time with Couture is Josh Barnett, a heavyweight champion and renowned catch wrestler. His lived experience in the ring brings the account of catch wrestling to life. Barnett's narratives, bolstered by anecdotes and intense fight sequences, illuminate the rugged path of a catch wrestler and his journey toward mastery. His hardened spirit and unwavering belief in the wrestling form adds a robust dimension to the film, compelling the audiences to savour the less explored wrestling world.

The movie also features Dan Gable, a legendary freestyle wrestler, Olympic gold medallist, and coach, who won countless accolades for both his competitive wrestling and coaching careers. His life and journey give us a detailed perspective on the mindset required to maintain the intensity and passion necessary in this form of wrestling; even his reflections on his Olympic journey are deeply stirring.

'For The Love of Catch' blends the personal experiences of wringing, bending, and grappling with academically rich accounts of the sport's history. It recounts catch wrestling's roots in England in the late 19th century and its migration to the US, underlining its significant influence on modern combat sports – from professional wrestling to mixed martial arts. The film explores the unsung historical scenario of catch wrestling, the people who nourished the sport, and its ongoing legacy that encompasses some of the world's most famous combat arenas.

This distinctive and thrilling sport receives a distinctive and profound documentarian tribute from Matthew Kaplowitz, who captures the essence of the sport and the characters who revolve around it with great sensitivity and attention to detail. The film brings to light the intricate techniques, the philosophical aspects of the sport, and the intimidating passion of the participants.

Through interviews, archival footage, and training sessions, 'For The Love of Catch' captures the camaraderie, commitment, and courage of catch wrestlers. The film allows viewers to immerse themselves in the combat world and experience the triumphs, failures, injuries, and hard work. Kaplowitz's deftness in addressing the physical and emotional aspects of the sport, guiding the audience through the arduous training sessions, the exertion of combat, and the glory of victory, is commendable.

The film director employs cinematic craft impressively to grasp the intrinsic beauty and rigours of this sport, while simultaneously touching upon the subtle philosophy that makes catch wrestling more than a physical endeavor. Sweeping visuals of training spaces, pumped-up moments of intense grappling bouts, coupled with insightful narratives, give the viewers an engaging canvas of catch wrestling.

In conclusion, ‘For The Love of Catch’ is a must-watch for fans of combat sports, wrestling enthusiasts, or anyone intrigued by the in-depth exploration of specific sports forms. It’s an adventurous dive into history, passion, and human spirit at play in the shape of sportsmanship—embodied in the world of catch-as-catch-can wrestling. Strikingly original and terrifically engaging, this vivid cinematic engagement will keep you hooked till the last second.