Rating: 
Summary: Complexities of Life Make Up Hammers
Review: Hammers Over the Anvil is one of those few films that has many of the complexities of life blended together in a way that some part of it will touch the viewer. Life is seen through the eyes of a young boy who does not judge. Instead he can enter each character's intermost being and know their thoughts and feelings. The film won Best Actor for Russell Crowe at the Seattle International Film Festival and the Young Actor's Award for Alexander Outhred at the Australian Film Institute.
Rating: 
Summary: Russell does his usual great job.
Review: I am glad I bought this DVD. Being a fan of Russell's for 2 years now I had only seen a cut version on a cable channel. Not the best thing ever put to film, but it good. Did not need the nudity.
Rating:
Summary: Good flick-- definately worth checking out
Review: I checked this out of the library on a whim one day (okay, I'll admit that I picked it up because Russell Crowe is in it). After the startling opening scene, it slows to a nice pace with a good cast.This is a good movie that shows how a young slightly disabled boy reacts to his own awareness of the opposite sex and-- because of that-- his awareness of how other people are interacting. Specifically, he sees how his idol, East, deals with his affair with a married woman.
Rating:
Summary: Good flick-- definately worth checking out
Review: I checked this out of the library on a whim one day (okay, I'll admit that I picked it up because Russell Crowe is in it). After the startling opening scene, it slows to a nice pace with a good cast. This is a good movie that shows how a young slightly disabled boy reacts to his own awareness of the opposite sex and-- because of that-- his awareness of how other people are interacting. Specifically, he sees how his idol, East, deals with his affair with a married woman.
Rating:
Summary: Nice film.
Review: I purchased this not even knowing much about it. I am a big fan of Russell Crowe and have found most of his films, whether the film itself is good or not, he brings a certain life and charisma to each of his roles. This is one of his earlier films and certainly bears worth seeing. He won a best actor award for the role as well. You will have to view it with a certain appreciation and an open mind. The opening scene may shock you just alittle but it also expresses the carefreeness of his character, East Driscoll,so I can see how it was necessary to the storyline. I enjoyed the film very much...while it doesn't compare to some of his later films is nonetheless a delightful earlier film although, don't read if you haven't seen, it ends quite sadly. Crowe is wonderful as usual and it is neat to see some of his earlier work before he became such a big star. It is definitely worth a look-see. the acting is also superb.
Rating:
Summary: True Horsemanship
Review: I thought I was purchasing a bit of fluff. This is one of the most sensitive and heart rending movies I have seen in years. Allen, East and Grace draw the viewer into their world with ease and eloquence in a very down to earth way. You become a part of the movie without even knowing it. The simplicity of a young boy trying to figure out what life is all about is heart warming and wrenching at the same time. These actors have full command of the craft and deserve any awards they can garner.
Rating:
Summary: Movie Worth Seeing Again and Again!
Review: I was pleasantly surprised recently to discover a gem in the foreign movie circuit I had previously never even heard of before. Hammers over the Anvil is a beautifully told story of awakening adolescence, love, regret and hope. Told through the narration of an adolescent and handicapped boy, the story is really about an ensemble of characters in an Australian town and their relationships with one another. Due mostly to the talented cast of actors in this film as well as the superb writing and direction, Hammers over the Anvil does something few two hour movies achieve - and that is compassion for all of the characters no matter how deceptively small a part each character plays. Russell Crowe proves once again that he was a very fine actor way before fame came his way and an equally talented cast of actors only adds to his performance. This is really the only film I've seen Crowe in where his leading lady brings in as strong a performance as he does. The result is truly one of those great movie romances that makes you wish for more. The scenery is breathtaking, the performances magnificent, the story beautifully written...this is one that I would buy for my personal collection to see again and again!
Rating:
Summary: Movie Worth Seeing Again and Again!
Review: I was pleasantly surprised recently to discover a gem in the foreign movie circuit I had previously never even heard of before. Hammers over the Anvil is a beautifully told story of awakening adolescence, love, regret and hope. Told through the narration of an adolescent and handicapped boy, the story is really about an ensemble of characters in an Australian town and their relationships with one another. Due mostly to the talented cast of actors in this film as well as the superb writing and direction, Hammers over the Anvil does something few two hour movies achieve - and that is compassion for all of the characters no matter how deceptively small a part each character plays. Russell Crowe proves once again that he was a very fine actor way before fame came his way and an equally talented cast of actors only adds to his performance. This is really the only film I've seen Crowe in where his leading lady brings in as strong a performance as he does. The result is truly one of those great movie romances that makes you wish for more. The scenery is breathtaking, the performances magnificent, the story beautifully written...this is one that I would buy for my personal collection to see again and again!
Rating: 
Summary: You can slow the passage of time, just watch this movie.
Review: Not only was the main character coming of age, I felt myself getting old as the minutes dragged by. My wife and I were ahaking our watches about halfway through.
Nothing worth seeing ever happens. The sorely needed redemption never comes.
These people need to stay home more.
If you already have rented the video, just watch your pizza or the news or golf.
Don]t say you were not warned.
Rating: 
Summary: Slow but well-acted
Review: Polio-stricken youngster Alan Marshall (Alexander Outhred) hero-worships the local horseman and blacksmith, East Driscoll (Russell Crowe) in the early 1900s in the Australian Outback. When East has an illicit affair with a married woman (Charlotte Rampling), Alan has a hard time reconciling his admiration of the man with his distaste for his actions. Horses are only a backdrop, but there are some nicely done equestrian and wildlife scenes. Based on the memoirs of Alan Marshall.
Staci Layne Wilson
Author of Staci's Guide to Animal Movies
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