“The Great Wrestling Match”

The Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum presents the only known film footage of a wrestling match featuring the legendary Estonian wrestler Georg Hackenschmidt. Born in Tartu, Georg Hackenschmidt was a remarkable figure in Estonian sports history.

The Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum presents the only known film footage of a wrestling match featuring the legendary Estonian wrestler Georg Hackenschmidt. Born in Tartu, Georg Hackenschmidt was a remarkable figure in Estonian sports history. Few, if any, Estonian athletes have been as dominant in their field or as globally renowned as Hackenschmidt was in the early 20th century as a professional wrestler—he became an international superstar.

A recent discovery has brought to light a piece of Estonian sports history that had long been considered lost. The film, titled “”Hackenschmidt-Rogers [The Great Wrestling Match],”” documents one of the most important wrestling matches of the early 20th century between the legendary Estonian strongman Georg Hackenschmidt and the American Joe Rogers. Originally filmed in February 1908 and produced by the well-known Charles Urban, this rare footage is a significant find that offers an authentic glimpse into the golden age of wrestling.

The film duration is 17 minutes and is preceded by opening of the festival. The film is a silent film.

Accessibility Information: The festival is partially accessible for visitors with mobility impairments – the cinema hall on the 3rd floor of Elektriteater is only accessible by stairs. On-site, we can assist with the transport and carrying of a person with mobility impairments to the cinema hall, provided that prior notice is given before the film screening to the email address [email protected].”