Rating: 
Summary: RUSSELL CROWE
Review: Although a good film, I just cannot show this newly purchased DVD to girlfriends or buddies. Living in the American "biblebelt," my first showing of HAMMERS OVER THE ANVIL got a very negative reaction.As a big fan of Russell Crowe, I bought this film the minute it was released on DVD. I was surprized the opening sequence was him frolicking nude with a bunch of horses. After viewing the film,I realized that scene was important to the character development of the role he was playing. However, to the casual viewer, it appears as a "homoerotic" beginning sequence to an otherwise "straight" movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Coming of age story well worth a look ..
Review: Ann Turner's "Hammers Over The Anvil" is a delightful coming of age story set in small town Australia and depicts Australian country life during the early 20th Century (1910). We watch as a young boy grows into a young man while sharing his unique perspective on life and those around him. The young man, who is crippled and uses braces and crutches to get around, shares his thoughts via narration and his life as we are guided through his world as his experiences it. By the end of the story, we gain knowledge of the inner boy, his friendships, family connections, loves, losses, and amazing ability to see past the socially acceptable conclusions toward the true meaning of many human behaviors. The wonderful cast brings a rich fullness to each and every scene. The cast members speak with heavy Australian accents which will necessitate careful listening on most non-Australian viewers parts. Many viewers will rent/buy this film to see a wonderful early performance by a then up and coming Australian actor, Russell Crowe. Mr Crowe does not disappoint his fans and delivers a quality performance as he depicts one of the film's most likable characters. To the viewer's delight, the film's entire cast delivers performances that meet and, at times, out shine the high level performance of Mr Crowe. "Hammers Over The Anvil" presents material which is at times adult in nature, but does so in a respectful and tasteful manner. The scenes which project this material are necessary to successfully depict the plot and its full meaning to the movie's viewers. I enjoyed this movie and know many of you will too.
Rating:
Summary: Coming of age story well worth a look ..
Review: Ann Turner's "Hammers Over The Anvil" is a delightful coming of age story set in small town Australia and depicts Australian country life during the early 20th Century (1910). We watch as a young boy grows into a young man while sharing his unique perspective on life and those around him. The young man, who is crippled and uses braces and crutches to get around, shares his thoughts via narration and his life as we are guided through his world as his experiences it. By the end of the story, we gain knowledge of the inner boy, his friendships, family connections, loves, losses, and amazing ability to see past the socially acceptable conclusions toward the true meaning of many human behaviors. The wonderful cast brings a rich fullness to each and every scene. The cast members speak with heavy Australian accents which will necessitate careful listening on most non-Australian viewers parts. Many viewers will rent/buy this film to see a wonderful early performance by a then up and coming Australian actor, Russell Crowe. Mr Crowe does not disappoint his fans and delivers a quality performance as he depicts one of the film's most likable characters. To the viewer's delight, the film's entire cast delivers performances that meet and, at times, out shine the high level performance of Mr Crowe. "Hammers Over The Anvil" presents material which is at times adult in nature, but does so in a respectful and tasteful manner. The scenes which project this material are necessary to successfully depict the plot and its full meaning to the movie's viewers. I enjoyed this movie and know many of you will too.
Rating:
Summary: It's Russell - Enough Said!
Review: Aussie accents all the way but a good coming of age film. A young Russell (horseman) befriends a young disabled teen who's trying to please his own father (also a horseman) by becoming a rider. Father and son finally come to terms with the disability. Russell falls in love, loses love (she's married), goes through painful torment and suffering, wins her back the hard way.
Rating:
Summary: It's Russell - Enough Said!
Review: Aussie accents all the way but a good coming of age film. A young Russell (horseman) befriends a young disabled teen who's trying to please his own father (also a horseman) by becoming a rider. Father and son finally come to terms with the disability. Russell falls in love, loses love (she's married), goes through painful torment and suffering, wins her back the hard way.
Rating:
Summary: Really 4 1/2 stars Sweet and Funny, Sad and Real
Review: Beautiful, passionate rites of passage film. Ann Turner, the director, chose her actors well. Charlotte Rampling's cool femininity and Russell Crowe's intense masculinity created a special chemistry on screen. Ann Turner had some very delicate scenes to direct and used an subtle and artful touch. The opening scene was glorious and a joy to see an actor (or anyone) so comfortable in their own skin. The young boy who played Alan Marshall (Alexander Outhred) was absolutely wonderful. There was a magical, childlike wonder and innocence about the love scene between East & Grace that Alan witnesses and another reason why this film is so good. The whole cast was exceptional. I don't want to spoil this for anyone. I'll just say this could become one of my favorite films.
Rating: 
Summary: A deep disappointment
Review: Compare this movie to early Mel Gibson works such as Gallipoli and Tim; there is no comparison! Aside from the views of their naked rear ends; that is. Probably the first give away was the co-production with the South Australian Film Board or whatever. South Australia is obviously trying to benefit from the fame of Russell Crowe. Just like Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Mel Gibson. Sure, the scenery is great (but the location is obviously a single set, in rural South Australia. No faults there. Though where was the river he bathed his horses in? Some actors overacted to spoil their mediocre performances. Local characters trying to become noticed - no doubt. Having grown up in a rural (British) colonial village in the 1950s and having done research into the same place at the turn of the twentieth century; I was disappointed at the setting. Stone buildings belonged to the rich; everyone else built in wood(hence the denuded landscapes). It was obvious the set was a single establishment (probably a sheep run); though they tried to make it seem like an entire village. A pastor; though no visible church. The center of any colonial community. How many shots of a nearly invisible night rider can one watch before it becomes dull (one, two?). There was enough sexual scandal for an entire state; never mind a single village. Sure there was enough surreptious sex in these villages; but there was more than one location for this. More often it happened in creek beds or other natural locations - forget the dust and prickliness of a barn. I was interested to read, that this was a collection of short stories - I have no doubt they are a better attempt at a portrayal of the story than the film.
Rating: 
Summary: Hammers over the Anvil
Review: Enjoyed the movie so very much, I want to read the book of short stories. I thought it was cast very well. Outstanding actors right down to the 'little' ones!
Rating:
Summary: Very Good Film
Review: First I must saw that Russell Crowe MAKES any movie that he takes on and he becomes the charactor, making the movie not only believable, but real. In this film Russell takes on the role of a man who is everything in the eyes of a young boy and also in the eyes of a married woman. I feel like I can relate to this story. As a young boy growing up with no older brothers I longed for the companionship of men like East, and now that I'm older, married and may be having a kid on the way I realize that it's only because of my best friends like Larry, Joe, Walter and Bill that I am the person I am. Other than the fact that the filming is kinda rough I think the film is perfect.
Rating:
Summary: Very Good Film
Review: First I must saw that Russell Crowe MAKES any movie that he takes on and he becomes the charactor, making the movie not only believable, but real. In this film Russell takes on the role of a man who is everything in the eyes of a young boy and also in the eyes of a married woman. I feel like I can relate to this story. As a young boy growing up with no older brothers I longed for the companionship of men like East, and now that I'm older, married and may be having a kid on the way I realize that it's only because of my best friends like Larry, Joe, Walter and Bill that I am the person I am. Other than the fact that the filming is kinda rough I think the film is perfect.
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