Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows

Note: this is a brand new limited edition variant slipcover of a Blu-ray originally released in 2023. It is not included in any subscription, nor will a subscriber coupon be issued.

This special limited edition variant slipcover is limited to 1,000 units and is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them. The original limited edition slipcover (designed by Gary Pullin) was limited to 2,000 units and is sold out.

From arthouse to Canuxploitation, Canadian International Pictures (CIP) is devoted to resurrecting vital, distinctive, and overlooked triumphs of Canadian cinema. This label is focused on the country’s original cinematic boom years – spanning the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s – occasionally venturing past that period (and the country’s borders) to highlight the films of Canada’s most inspired actors and filmmakers. Vinegar Syndrome’s sister company, OCN Distribution, is thrilled to be representing CIP's brand new line of home video releases!

25th anniversary special edition!

It’s 1997, and the World Wrestling Federation is facing fierce competition from Ted Turner’s World Championship Wrestling. When the legendary Bret “The Hitman” Hart is offered a lucrative opportunity to jump ship to the WCW, WWF mastermind Vince McMahon appeals to his sense of loyalty and lures him back with a 20-year contract. But when McMahon abruptly reneges on the deal, Hart reconnects with the competition, paving the way for one of the most notorious events in the history of professional wrestling: the Montreal Screwjob.

Widely hailed as the greatest wrestling documentary of all time, Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows is an engrossing look at the life and career of Bret Hart and the Hart dynasty. Granted unprecedented access to the secret world of wrestling, director Paul Jay presents a real-world narrative far more dramatic than any story created for the ring. Expanding on the film’s eye-opening perspective, this disc also includes the potent companion doc, The Life and Death of Owen Hart – co-directed by Jay and Sally Blake – which explores the tragic death of Bret’s brother Owen.

directed by: Paul Jay
starring: Bret Hart, Vince McMahon, Steve Austin, Blade Hart, Helen Hart, Julie Hart, Owen Hart, Stu Hart, The Honky Tonk Man, Mankind, Dave Meltzer, Shawn Michaels, Jim Neidhart, Tammy Sytch, The Undertaker
1998 / 94 min / 1.33:1 / English DTS-HD MA 1.0

Additional info:

• Region A Blu-ray
• Transferred and restored from the Betacam master
• Audio commentary featuring Bret Hart and Wrestling Observer Newsletter editor Dave Meltzer
• Anatomy of a Screwjob (2022, 23 min.) – New interview with Bret Hart
• Directing with Shadows (2022, 23 min.) – New interview with director Paul Jay
• Screwjob-specific commentary (2022, 13 min.) featuring Bret Hart
• Archival interview with Bret Hart (2008, 22 min.)
• Archival interview with Paul Jay (2008, 22 min.)
• The Life and Death of Owen Hart (1999, 47 min.) with an intro by co-director Paul Jay
• Booklet featuring an interview with producer Sally Blake
• Reversible cover artwork
• English SDH subtitles for both films