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Anvil! The Story of Anvil

Universal acclaim
Based on 26 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 23 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
Movie Info
Genre(s): Documentary
Written by:
Directed by: Sacha Gervasi
Release Date:
Theatrical: April 10, 2009
DVD: October 6, 2009
Running Time: 90 minutes, Color
Origin: USA
Summary
RATING: Not Rated
Starring Kevin Goocher, Glenn Gyorffy, Steve 'Lips' Kudlow, Robb Reiner, and Chris Tsangarides
At 14, Toronto school friends Steve "Lips" Kudlow and Robb Reiner made a pact to rock together forever. They meant it. Their band, Anvil, went on to become the "demigods of Canadian metal," releasing one of the heaviest albums in metal history, 1982 Metal on Metal. The album influenced a musical generation, including Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax, that went on to sell millions of records. But Anvil's career took a different path, straight into obscurity. (Abramorama Films)
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database Official Studio Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Empire Sam Toy
The lyrics to AC/DC’s Long Way To The Top were never more appropriate. Anvil! is exactly what's needed to slap the recent rash of doomsayer documentaries in the face -- preferably with a studded, fingerless leather glove.
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman
It's a hilarious, and unexpectedly moving, documentary about the greatest metal band you've probably never heard of.
Read Full Review >San Francisco Chronicle Peter Hartlaub
Anvil lives somewhere in that thoroughly entertaining gray area between self-parody and the triumph of human spirit.
Read Full Review >Portland Oregonian Shawn Levy
A hilarious, touching, profound and inspiring film about art and dreams and self-belief and the goggle-eyed hope that you can will a miracle into reality through sheer effort and desire.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club) Noel Murray
Yet in his despair, there's something Kudlow misses, and it's what makes Anvil! as moving as it is hilarious.
Read Full Review >The New Yorker Anthony Lane
The most stirring release of the year thus far is a documentary.
Read Full Review >Boston Globe Ty Burr
Anvil! is one of the sweetest, funniest films I've seen this year. Also the loudest and most foulmouthed.
Read Full Review >USA Today Claudia Puig
Neil Young once said: It's better to burn out than it is to rust. But moviegoers are lucky Anvil didn't take Young's advice. Who knew heavy metal could seem like fine art when it rusts?
Read Full Review >Rolling Stone Peter Travers
Want to find the heart of rock & roll? You can hear it thundering in Anvil.
Read Full Review >Philadelphia Inquirer Dan DeLuca
For Kudlow, for whom "music lives forever" - it's never over. And the opportunity to seize the day continues to present itself in this deeply human documentary.
Read Full Review >Chicago Tribune Michael Phillips
I can't imagine Anvil! not appealing to anyone interested in any aspect of showbiz, and the drug of fame, and the lives people lead in pursuit of the next fix.
Read Full Review >Chicago Reader J.R. Jones
Gervasi has tapped into a powerful if much-overlooked truth: humanity rocks.
Read Full Review >New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman
Alternately funny, sad and outrageous, Sacha Gervasi's terrific documentary feels like the lost sequel to “This Is Spinal Tap” -- and everyone involved seems to know it, except the leads.
Read Full Review >Slate Dana Stevens
The director, Sacha Gervasi, is a fan first and a documentarian second. If Anvil! has a flaw, it's that it's too enthusiastic, a reverently uncritical valentine to the director's adolescent heroes.
Read Full Review >Variety Dennis Harvey
Well-shot and edited, Anvil! is an underdog saga even non-metalheads will root for. It tows that fine line between chuckling at its protags' somewhat absurd situation and celebrating their sheer unwillingness to give up.
Read Full Review >Salon.com Andrew O'Hehir
From the too-good-to-be-true desk comes this loving and hilarious portrait of Spinal Tap-esque Canadian metal band Anvil, who were briefly a hard-rock sensation in the early '80s (mainly for the song "Metal on Metal") and have been struggling along in total obscurity ever since.
Read Full Review >Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan
You may never have expected to see the words heavy metal, endearing and warmhearted in the same sentence, but you just did.
Read Full Review >Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert
"How many bands stay together for 30 years?" asks Slash of Guns N' Roses, in a backstage interview. "You've got the Stones, the Who, U2 -- and Anvil." Yeah. And Anvil.
Read Full Review >Premiere Staff (Not credited)
You won't be seeing any stretch Hummers, wild late night parties and 75,000 seat arena shows in this documentary, but that's what makes this so good.
Read Full Review >New York Post V.A. Musetto
Not exactly as well known as Megadeth or Metallica, Anvil did indeed have 15 minutes of fame back in the 1980s. Then it went into obscurity. Now it's back, trying like hell to be somebody.
Read Full Review >New York Magazine David Edelstein
The documentary is solid as … as … an anvil. And if you can forget Spinal Tap (hard), it's also rather touching the way these 50-year-olds still have the forged-in-fire fortitude.
Read Full Review >The New York Times A.O. Scott
Mr. Reiner and Mr. Kudlow may not quite merit full-metal glory, but they don't deserve oblivion either, and Anvil! The Story of Anvil makes both a case and a place for their band.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 8.3 (out of 10) based on 23 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Raymond W. gave it a4:
From the first moment when you heard one of Anvil's songs, it was very clear why they weren't famous
Gabby G. gave it an8:
This film showed how much bands have to go through. it alson showed the dark side of the business. not all bands get a fairy tale ending.
Lyle S. gave it a10:
This is the best rock movie of all time - it is the essence of love for rock.
Teresa L. gave it a10:
This movie is so moving...a true testament to the human spirit. I am so thrilled that Anvil is getting the recognition that they definitely deserve. Fantastic movie. Just purchased my signed copy of the dvd. Long Live Anvil!!!!!
Ben M gave it a10:
This gets a full 10 points - you can't lose with this film, it will stick with you. And I've got to say the music was pretty damn good too.
Nick E gave it a10:
This was genuinely one of the best films I've seen. The guys from Anvil have the most heart and drive of anyone I've ever seen, and it's astounding. Struggle, hardship, but also perseverance and friendship, this movie is a real treat. Rock on Anvil!
Adam V gave it a10:
One of the best movies I have ever seen -- documentary, feature, short subject. Funny, sad, poignant, moving, and real. A great achievement.
