How accurate is The Iron Claw movie?

By Ali Hammad May 12, 2024 06:26

Photo by Dennis Brent; Eric Chakeen/A24

"The Iron Claw," directed by Sean Durkin, is a film that tells the true story of the Von Erich family, a 1980s pro-wrestling phenomenon. The movie follows the four Von Erich brothers and the tragic events that befell their family.

In this comprehensive article, we will delve deeply into the accuracy of "The Iron Claw" movie, separating fact from fiction, and analyzing the portrayal of the Von Erich family's story.

The Real Story of the Von Erichs

The movie accurately depicts the rise of the Von Erich family to the top of the wrestling game in the 1980s, alongside the tragic deaths of several Von Erich sons, including David, Mike, and Kerry.

The movie's portrayal of the family's enduring loss and the so-called Von Erich family "curse" aligns with the real events that unfolded in the lives of the Von Erich family.

But the movie made a couple of major changes, leaving out some tragic events that the real family experienced. For instance, the film does not include the tragic death of another brother, Chris, who also took his own life in September 1991.

The decision to omit this was due to the narrative's inability to withstand additional brothers' deaths and a desire to focus on Kevin Von Erich's story.

Omissions and Changes

The movie also leaves out the accidental electric shock and drowning of Fritz Von Erich's first-born son, Jack Jr., in March 1959, a life-changing event for the family.

Also, the film does not depict David Von Erich's loss of his daughter Natosha in December 1978 from sudden infant death syndrome when she was only 13 weeks old.

The writer-director, Sean Durkin, explained that these omissions were made to keep the focus on Kevin Von Erich's story and his "survival."

While these events were part of the real Von Erich family's history, the film chose to concentrate on certain aspects of the family's tragedy to maintain the narrative's coherence and emotional impact.

Representation of Masculinity

"The Iron Claw" portrays a world of hyper-masculine men, reflecting the nature of professional wrestling.

The film effectively makes wrestling accessible and dramatic to an unacquainted audience by showcasing the performers outside the ring, emphasizing the real stakes involved in the sport.

The film addresses the theme of masculinity being inherently tied with physical ability, particularly through Kerry Von Erich's storyline, where he copes with chronic pain and deteriorating mental health after losing a majority of his leg in a motorcycle accident.

The movie's representation of masculinity and the reality of dealing with physical disability and chronic pain without proper support adds depth to the narrative, portraying a more realistic and nuanced view of the challenges faced by the Von Erich family members.

Ethical Considerations

The decision to omit certain tragic events from the Von Erich family's history and the portrayal of masculinity in the film raises ethical considerations.

While these omissions helped maintain the focus on Kevin Von Erich's story, they also led to a selective representation of the family's experiences.

The film's approach to storytelling raises questions about the responsibility of filmmakers in depicting real-life tragedies and the impact of such omissions on the audience's understanding of the true events.

"The Iron Claw" effectively tells the true story of the Von Erich family, highlighting their rise to fame and the series of tragic losses they endured.

While the movie accurately portrays certain aspects of the family's history, it also makes deliberate omissions and changes to maintain the narrative's coherence and emotional impact.

The film's representation of masculinity and the ethical considerations surrounding the selective portrayal of the family's experiences add complexity to the analysis of its accuracy.

Ultimately, "The Iron Claw" provides a compelling depiction of the Von Erich family's story, but viewers should be aware of the omissions and changes made for narrative purposes.