RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
RT's Blu-ray HQ
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
  • | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / On DVD / Anvil! The Story of Anvil
Anvil! The Story of Anvil

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Get this Movie
  • Buy Poster External Icon
Bookmark and Share

Anvil! The Story of Anvil (2009)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
98 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:121

Fresh:118

Rotten:3

Average Rating:7.9/10

Consensus: A touching, uplifting and inspirational rockumentary about an aging metal band, both hilarious and heart-warming in equal measure.

Rated: Not Rated

Runtime: 90 mins

Genre: Musical & Performing Arts

Theatrical Release:Apr 10, 2009 Limited

Box Office: $492,513

Synopsis: In the early 1980s, the Canadian metal band Anvil wrote the thrash blueprint for followers like Anthrax, Metallica, and Slayer. While those bands went on to become metal titans, Anvil faded into... In the early 1980s, the Canadian metal band Anvil wrote the thrash blueprint for followers like Anthrax, Metallica, and Slayer. While those bands went on to become metal titans, Anvil faded into obscurity--so much that decades later, the band’s core members--guitarist Steve "Lips" Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner--work menial day-jobs even as they continue to churn out little-heard records and dream of rock-star success. Director Sacha Gervasi (who was once a roadie for the band) chronicles the duo’s efforts to regain their '80s glory in the funny and touching documentary ANVIL! THE STORY OF ANVIL. As the camera follows Anvil on a European tour organized by an inept manager and beset by comical, this-can’t-be-real moments--flubbed itineraries, audiences that can be counted on one hand, club owners who refuse to pay for gigs--it might be easy to mistake ANVIL! for a THIS IS SPINAL TAP mockumentary. But despite the snicker-inducing heavy-metal trappings, this is also a warmly human portrait of two men pursuing their creative passions despite Sisyphean odds. The film is at its best when it explores the codependent friendship between the optimistic Lips and the more pragmatic Reiner (friends since they were 14, the two bicker like an old married couple); their relationships with their families (some of whom are still supportive and others who wish the fiftysomething pair would just grow up); and the difficulties of pursing a career in music (while Lips’s siblings are solidly middle-class, the guys in Anvil just wanna rock--and they have made financial sacrifices to do so). Their struggles will ring true to anyone who has felt the pull of the artist’s life and wondered whether it would ever pay off. In Anvil's case, audiences will be rooting for them to finally make it to the big time. [More]

Starring: Anvil

Starring: Anvil

Director: Sacha Gervasi

Director: Sacha Gervasi
Producer: Rebecca Yeldham
Studio: Abramorama

[See More Credits]

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
  • Trailer
    >
1 of 1

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Get This Movie

Rent DVD
 
 

Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.

 
 
Buy DVD
 
 
Release:

Oct 6, 2009

[DVD Details]
 
 

DVD Features:

  • Region 1
  • Widescreen

Audio:

  • Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo - English
  • Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
  • Subtitles - French
 
 
 
 

Reviews for Anvil! The Story of Anvil

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

What's so refreshing about 'Anvil: The Story of Anvil' is that it focuses on a Toronto band named Anvil who have been playing for 30 years despite having no commercial success to show for it.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
12/06/09
Dan Lybarger
Dan Lybarger
eFilmCritic.com

I found more real-life poetry about aspiration and failure in a fictional effort such as The Wrestler.

Full Review Source: LarsenOnFilm | comment Comment
12/04/09
Josh Larsen
Josh Larsen
LarsenOnFilm

This is one of those movies that makes you want to find out what happens next, and those are the best kind.

Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | comment Comment
12/03/09
Robert Roten
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope

You'll learn nothing new here about chasing the dream, but this non-fiction story may convince you to make room in your heart to appreciate the combination of earnestness and doggedness that some people maintain.

Full Review Source: ReelTalk Movie Reviews | comment Comment
11/24/09
Jeffrey Chen
Jeffrey Chen
ReelTalk Movie Reviews

Its touching human interest story about survival hit me in the gut.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
11/19/09
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Well, the best movie of 2009 is a documentary about aging heavy metal musicians making a last-ditch effort at fame and fortune.

Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
11/14/09
Louis Proyect
Louis Proyect
rec.arts.movies.reviews

Anvil! goes all the way to 11.

Full Review Source: What Would Toto Watch? | comment Comment
11/10/09
Christian Toto
Christian Toto
What Would Toto Watch?

Let's be honest: Anvil is not metal's missing link, and "Anvil!" has been awfully overpraised. However, it's worth watching for the frequent moments of warm, humane heavy-metal comedy and the antagonistic push-and-pull of Canadian creative cousins.

Full Review Source: Suite101.com | comment Comment
10/17/09
Nick Rogers
Nick Rogers
Suite101.com

Two musical wannabes in a perpetual reach for the brass ring. But where it will lead remains unanswered by anything more than what they've always had in great quantity. Hope.

Full Review Source: Cinema Signals | comment Comment
10/16/09
Jules Brenner
Jules Brenner
Cinema Signals

Anvil is rock solid entertainment. Whether you're mad for metal or not, you'll find the band's talent, spirit, humor--and mettle--a real rush.

Full Review Source: About.com | comment Comment
10/04/09
Jennifer Merin
Jennifer Merin
About.com

While it's undoubtedly comical and touching, a pall of middle-aged gloom hovers over the antics of Canada's longest surviving death metal band.

Full Review Source: MovieTime, ABC Radio National | comment 2 Comments
09/11/09
Ruth Hessey
Ruth Hessey
MovieTime, ABC Radio National

The music, heard in economical proportions, is secondary to the unexpectedly deep bond between its creators. Their story is an underdog's triumph that's difficult to deny.

Full Review Source: The Age (Australia) | comment Comment
09/11/09
Craig Mathieson
Craig Mathieson
The Age (Australia)

See Anvil! if you love heavy metal, because these guys are legends. See Anvil! if you don't love heavy metal because this story is legendary.

Full Review Source: Sydney Morning Herald | comment Comment
09/10/09
Giles Hardie
Giles Hardie
Sydney Morning Herald

This Is Spinal Tap was a mockumentary, but this is for real, a portrait of a band that was very influential on later metal bands, like Metallica, but who found the big time elusive.

Full Review Source: At the Movies (Australia) | comment Comment
09/09/09
David Stratton
David Stratton
At the Movies (Australia)

A spectacular documentary that displays the camaraderie and passion these two musicians feel for their music in the face of continued rejection.

Full Review Source: FILMINK (Australia) | comment Comment
09/08/09
Paul Southwell
Paul Southwell
FILMINK (Australia)

Anvil! has been described as the "real-life Spinal Tap", but it's sometimes more like a heavy metal remake of The Wrestler.

Full Review Source: Triple j | comment Comment
09/06/09
Martyn Pedler
Martyn Pedler
Triple j

Incongruous, funny, unexpected and moving, Sacha Gervasi's film about the 80s band whose long career is anything but what we expect, is much more than a doco about a band

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
09/04/09
Louise Keller
Louise Keller
Urban Cinefile

Anvil! The Story of Anvil is overflowing with honesty. It is fair to say that it is to metal what The Wrestler is to wrestling. It is brutal but, in a way, triumphant.

Full Review Source: UGO | comment Comment
08/14/09
Jordan Hoffman
Jordan Hoffman
UGO

Comedy, drama, unforgettable characters, good music, and an underdog story. Don't miss it!

Full Review Source: Movie Habit | comment Comment
07/26/09
Marty Mapes
Marty Mapes
Movie Habit

A winning and surprisingly moving documentary about -- wait for it -- a struggling Canadian heavy metal band that apparently influenced a generation of hard-rockers including Metallica, Anthrax and Guns N' Roses.

Full Review Source: Miami Herald | comment Comment
07/10/09
Cary Darling
Cary Darling
Miami Herald
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >> >|
all

Latest News for Anvil! The Story of Anvil

September 01, 2009: Keanu Commits to Henry's Crime Opens in new window
"Anvil!" director Sacha Gervasi is working on his next project, a "twisted romantic comedy" titled "Henry's Crime." Keanu Reeves is attached to star. More...

April 09, 2009: Critics Consensus: Hannah Montana Hits A Flat Note
This week at the movies, we've got a pop songbird (Hannah Montana the Movie, starring Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus), a mall cop (Observe and Report, starring Seth Rogen and Anna... More...

January 20, 2009: click to watch the trailer Opens in new window
More...

See All

More DVDs

Close
Top Rentals
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
44% 44% Night at the Museum: B…
32% 32% Terminator Salvation
36% 36% Angels & Demons
95% 95% Star Trek
25% 25% Four Christmases

More Rentals…

New On DVD This Week
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
83% 83% Harry Potter and the H…
67% 67% Public Enemies
75% 75% Julie & Julia
95% 95% The Cove
85% 85% World's Greatest Dad

More New Releases…

See All

RT On Current TV

The Rotten Tomatoes Show on Current TV

DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...

Learn how you can be part of the show

More...

What’s Hot On RT

Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood

Take a trip through Clint Eastwood's career!

Disney Countdown

Disney Countdown

RT looks at Disney's best animated movies!

Total Recall

Total Recall

A look back at Keith David's best movies!

Five Favorites

Five Favorites

Sam Worthington shares his favorite films!

Other News

Close
  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Headed for IMAX Source: Collider.com
36
  • James Cameron Developing Sci-Fi Film for Fox Source: ComingSoon.net
6
  • Peter Jackson Reveals Which LotR Characters Will Return for The Hobbit Source: MTV
12
  • Josh Brolin Rumored for Men in Black 3 Source: Los Angeles Times
18
  • Malkovich and Hathaway Rumored for Spider-Man 4 Source: Movieline
84
  • Avatar Picks Up Golden Globes Buzz Source: HitFix
66
  • Disney's Upcoming Hand-Drawn Movies Revealed Source: Slashfilm
21
  • Cameron Explains Blue Avatar Aliens Source: MTV
37
  • Matt Damon Expects Greengrass to Return for Fourth Bourne Source: Collider.com
10
  • Burton's Dark Shadows Rising in 2010 Source: Sci Fi Wire
12
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Five Favorite Films with Jason Reitman
57
  • Total Recall: Keith David's Best Movies
54
  • Critics Consensus: Everybody's Fine Is Just OK
50
  • 10 Horrifically Profitable Films
46
  • Five Favorite Films With Avatar's Sam Worthington
46
  • Sundance 2010: RT's 10 Most Anticipated Movies
41
  • Weekly Ketchup: Tron Team to Remake The Black Hole
37
  • Box Office Guru Wrapup: The Blind Side Takes the Lead
29
  • Awards Tour: National Board of Review Winners List!
28
  • Friday Harvest: Iron Man 2, Harry Potter, and more!
24
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • Five Favorite Films With Avatar's Sam Worthington
46
  • Director Ruben Fleischer Talks Zombieland
2
  • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
17
  • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
12
  • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
23
  • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
8
  • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
15
  • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
23
  • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
9
  • Wolverine Creator Len Wein Talks About the Film
28
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

  • Anvil! The Story of Anvil at Rotten Tomatoes
  • Anvil! The Story of Anvil at IGN

Fresh Links

Featured
Best Sci-Fi This Decade
Best Sci-Fi This Decade External Link

Techland lists the best Sci-Fi films of this decade.

40 Worst Films of the 2000s
40 Worst Films of the 2000s External Link

Moviefone takes a look back at the biggest stinkers of the past 10 years.

10 Questions For Zac Efron
10 Questions For Zac Efron External Link

The Me and Orson Welles star answers reader questions on TIME.com.

Best Decade Ever!
Best Decade Ever! External Link

Hollywood.com's C. Robert Cargill offers his thoughts on what the best decade for film was.

Pee-Wee's Big Adventure
Pee-Wee's Big Adventure External Link

In the AV Club's "Scenic Routes," Mike D'Angelo reminisces about the Tim Burton film.

Promos
Follow RT on Twitter
Follow RT on Twitter External Link

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Games| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN Logo

IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive | Green Pixels


By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.