"I believe British wrestlers are the best entertainers in the whole world." - Frank Sinatra
From the mid 70's to the late 80's, at four o' clock each Saturday afternoon, every class of great British household would come together as one. The nation unified in their support of great and fearsome warriors. Many were loved, few were loathed รข€“ all were heroes. British wrestling took place in a world where only the strongest survived, and to survive you had to 'Walk Like A Panther'.
Sadly, those days are long gone... until now.
In the much-loved traditions of 'The Full Monty' and 'Billy Elliot', 'Walk Like A Panther' is a classic everyman underdog story, blending comedy and heartfelt drama with ill-fitting Lycra.
Set in present day Yorkshire, 30 years after the plug was pulled on British wrestling on TV, a band of brothers and sisters will squeeze into their leotards for one final rumble. Dealing with the highs and lows of life through the Boston Crab and Half Nelson, the wrestlers will fight to find themselves, one another and save their community.
Mark Bolton has lived his life dreaming of being a wrestler, following in his father's footsteps - Trevor 'Bulldog' Bolton, British Champion and leader of The Panthers. At 16 years old, Mark got his shot but on the day 'Son of Bulldog' was due to make his debut, wrestling on TV was cancelled.
Over a quarter of a century later, Mark's running The Half Nelson - more public home than public house. It's here locals gather for the wake of one of their fallen comrades, Ginger Frost, Trevor's best friend and surrogate father to Mark. During the night an uninvited guest, local troublemaker Ricky Rickson, re-ignites the wrestlers' flame for the grapple as they call upon their skills from yesteryear. Footage of the pub fight is put online and it goes viral.
Local promoter, Popsy Wilson Jnr, persuades The Panthers to reform for a one-off bout but decades of pies and pints have taken their toll. When the pub is threatened with closure, The Panthers and their community come together - Mark 'Son of Bulldog' Bolton, Trevor 'Bulldog' Bolton, 'Gladiator' Glenn Higgins, Cliff 'Edge' Morris, Tony 'Sweetcheeks' Smith, Lara 'Liplock' Anderson, The Dixon Brothers, 'Zulu' Dawn and Lesley Beck must overcome the odds, re-learn their moves and re-tailor their outfits to fight the establishment, save the pub, save the village and Walk Like Panthers once more.
"This is the future of yesterday's sport, today." - Popsy Wilson, Jr.
Director: Dan Cadan
Writer: Dan Cadan
Cast: Stephen Graham, Christopher Fairbank, Dave Johns, Jill Halfpenny, Sue Johnston, Lindsey Coulson, Julian Sands, Jason Flemyng, Stephen Tompkinson, Michael Socha, Scroobius Pip
