The Strongest Man in the World (1975)

About The Strongest Man in the World

The Strongest Man in the World is a hilarious Disney classic released in 1975. The movie is centered around a student named Dexter Riley, portrayed by Kurt Russell, who inadvertently becomes incredibly strong after ingesting a cereal infused with a strength-enhancing chemical during a university experiment. The movie is a delightful family comedy that combines humor, drama, and a touch of romance.

Making / Production

The film was directed by Vincent McEveety and produced by Bill Anderson for Walt Disney Productions. Production began in 1974, with the film eventually being released in February 1975. Despite the comic premise, the production team took great care to create believable, entertaining scenes of superhuman strength.

Actors

• Kurt Russell as Dexter Riley: Russell delivers a charming performance as the lovable student-turned-superhuman.
• Joe Flynn as Dean Higgins: Flynn provides comic relief as the bumbling dean. His frustration and disbelief at Riley's newfound strength are comedy gold.
• Eve Arden as Harriet: Arden plays the supportive role, enthusiastic about the strength-enhancing cereal and potential success it could bring.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film is part of a trilogy of Disney films starring Kurt Russell as the lead character, Dexter Riley.
• It was the last film of Joe Flynn's career, as he passed away shortly after its completion.
• The film was a commercial success, grossing over $6 million domestically.

Awards

While the film didn't receive any significant awards, it remains a beloved family classic and has stood the test of time.

Quotes

• "Well, we've done it again. In one week we've gone from the head of the class to the bottom of the heap." - Dean Higgins
• "I'm the strongest man in the world." - Dexter Riley

Music, Soundtrack

• The original soundtrack was composed by Robert F. Brunner, enhancing the movie's comedic and light-hearted tone.
• The film doesn't feature any prominent songs, instead focusing on an instrumental score to accompany the on-screen events.