While he never achieved the iconic status of fellow Strongman pioneers Eugene Sandow or Louis Apollon, the German weightlifter Arthur Saxon (born Arthur Hennig in 1878) often ranks above them all in the eyes of true Iron Game enthusiasts. Whether performing in a British concert hall or an American circus tent; as a solo act or alongside his brothers in the “Saxon Trio,” Arthur regularly achieved feats of true skill that few others would even attempt. His record-setting “Bent Press,” for example—which he once used to best Sandow himself— remains the gold standard nearly a century after his death.
ON LOCATION
Explore the map to learn more about the landmarks visited in the film.
Leipzig, Germany
This is the Hometown of Arnold Saxon and his brothers Herman and Karl. The District Connewitz is where Saxon called home. Also, The Sports Museum of Leipzig serves as a centre of collection and documentation. It hosts more than 85 000 objects. Thus, Leipzig owns one of the biggest collections concerning the history of sports in Germany.
House of Saxon
Saxon residence at time of death.
Saxony State of Germany
The part of Germany where the name Saxon comes from, the surname of the brothers was Henning. Changed to the stage name Saxon and the Saxon Trio, when discovered by Arno Patschke. Patschke used the stage name Saxon and members of the Trio all used the Saxon name as that is where they were from.
Sportmuseum
The Sports Museum of Leipzig serves as a centre of collection and documentation. It hosts more than 85 000 objects. Thus, Leipzig owns one of the biggest collections concerning the history of sports in Germany.
Sheffield, England
Theatre where Saxon challenges audience and world of Physical Culture in a feat of weightlifting. Where Sandow takes the challenge.
Abtshof's Bunte Circuswelt - Erstes Circusmuseum Magdeburg Circus Museum
Circus Wagon is found here as well as some of the circus museum items.
Hercules and the Erymanthian Boar
Statue by artist Louis Tuaillon depicts Hercules wresting a wild boar showing Germany's passion for strength culture, art and history.
Duisburg, Germany
Arthur Saxon died on August 6, 1921 in the Duisburg Hospital and was buried in that city. His grave was destroyed by bombing in WWII so no tombstone has survived. His death certificate lists his residence as Werdau, Germany.
The Dinnie Steens (Stones) - Saxon Connection
Donald Dinnie was a fierce critic of Arnold Saxon. Arnold visits him in Scotland and lifts a large amount of weights and turns Dinnie into one of Saxon's most vocal supporters. - Potarch, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Leipzig, Germany
This is the Hometown of Arnold Saxon and his brothers Herman and Karl. The District Connewitz is where Saxon called home. Also, The Sports Museum of Leipzig serves as a centre of collection and documentation. It hosts more than 85 000 objects. Thus, Leipzig owns one of the biggest collections concerning the history of sports in Germany.
House of Saxon
Saxon residence at time of death.
Saxony State of Germany
The part of Germany where the name Saxon comes from, the surname of the brothers was Henning. Changed to the stage name Saxon and the Saxon Trio, when discovered by Arno Patschke. Patschke used the stage name Saxon and members of the Trio all used the Saxon name as that is where they were from.
Sportmuseum
The Sports Museum of Leipzig serves as a centre of collection and documentation. It hosts more than 85 000 objects. Thus, Leipzig owns one of the biggest collections concerning the history of sports in Germany.
Sheffield, England
Theatre where Saxon challenges audience and world of Physical Culture in a feat of weightlifting. Where Sandow takes the challenge.
Abtshof's Bunte Circuswelt - Erstes Circusmuseum Magdeburg Circus Museum
Circus Wagon is found here as well as some of the circus museum items.
Hercules and the Erymanthian Boar
Statue by artist Louis Tuaillon depicts Hercules wresting a wild boar showing Germany's passion for strength culture, art and history.
Duisburg, Germany
Arthur Saxon died on August 6, 1921 in the Duisburg Hospital and was buried in that city. His grave was destroyed by bombing in WWII so no tombstone has survived. His death certificate lists his residence as Werdau, Germany.
The Dinnie Steens (Stones) - Saxon Connection
Donald Dinnie was a fierce critic of Arnold Saxon. Arnold visits him in Scotland and lifts a large amount of weights and turns Dinnie into one of Saxon's most vocal supporters. - Potarch, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
SAXON EXTRAS
THE TRUNK / 8K
The Trunk - In this extra footage from the Rogue Legends documentary film, Saxon, we get a rare look into the comedic side of “The Iron Master.” As it turns out, the mighty German strongman Arthur Saxon (1878-1921) enjoyed showcasing his skills in everyday life as much as on the stage. Sometimes, this meant tossing a whole trunk-full of his weightlifting gear onto a taxi with ease, then asking some “normal” folks to assist him in removing the trunk after the journey; something none of them, of course, could even come close to managing.
TWO GERMANIES / 8K
Two Germanies - This bonus footage from the Rogue Legends documentary film Saxon reveals how the great German Strongman tradition was affected by the splitting of the country into East and West Germany after World War II. It’s only been in recent years, since the fall of the Berlin Wall, that people raised in the former Communist stronghold of East Germany have become reacquainted with some of the great pre-war legends of this sport, including Arthur Saxon himself, a native of Leipzig.
Image Gallery
