Anvil! The Story of Anvil
An intimate rockumentary follows Anvil’s aging metal musicians as enduring friendship and stubborn creative faith fuel one more attempt at recognition.
Overview
A heavy metal band fights to reclaim their glory and passion for music against all odds.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- inspirational
- witty
- nostalgic
- music night
- inspirational viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as an exceptionally entertaining, moving, and inspirational portrait of musical perseverance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Anvil is presented as highly influential in heavy metal while remaining commercially unsuccessful, with the band pursuing renewed recognition through new recordings and performances.
The film centers on the friendship between singer-guitarist Steve Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner across Anvil’s long career and repeated disappointments.
The story follows Anvil’s effort to continue touring, record a thirteenth album, and pursue their musical dreams despite years of limited commercial success.
Interviews and observational access foreground the band members’ aspirations, frustrations, humor, and personal investment in continuing to play heavy metal.
Films like Anvil! The Story of Anvil, and why
Searching for Sugar Man
music documentary focused on artistic ambition, persistence, and the emotional costs of a performer’s career
The Wrecking Crew
rockumentary blending backstage access, eccentric personalities, friendship, and musical perseverance
The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years
observational music documentary about aging performers, enduring passion, and unrealized commercial success
The Devil and Daniel Johnston
Movie Details
- Director
- Sacha Gervasi
- Release Date
- 2008-01-14
- Runtime
- 81 min
- Rating
- 7.6 / 10 (283)
Cast
- Steve 'Lips' Kudlow
- Robb Reiner
- Kevin Goocher
- Glenn Gyorffy
- William Howell
- Tiziana Arrigoni
- Slash
- Lemmy Kilmister
- Scott Ian
- Lars Ulrich
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Anvil! The Story of Anvil about?
- An intimate rockumentary follows Anvil’s aging metal musicians as enduring friendship and stubborn creative faith fuel one more attempt at recognition.
- What is Anvil! The Story of Anvil like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Anvil! The Story of Anvil as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Anvil! The Story of Anvil violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Anvil! The Story of Anvil.
- What did critics think of Anvil! The Story of Anvil?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as an exceptionally entertaining, moving, and inspirational portrait of musical perseverance.
- Which films are like Anvil! The Story of Anvil?
- Films with a similar feel include Searching for Sugar Man, The Wrecking Crew, The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years, and The Devil and Daniel Johnston.
- How long is Anvil! The Story of Anvil?
- Anvil! The Story of Anvil runs 81 minutes.
- Where can I watch Anvil! The Story of Anvil?
- In United States, Anvil! The Story of Anvil streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
