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Anvil! The Story of Anvil

Anvil! The Story of Anvil

2009
Drama
Documentary
1h 20m
At 14, best friends Robb Reiner and Lips made a pact to rock together forever. Their band, Anvil, hailed as the "demi-gods of Canadian metal, " influenced a musical generation that includes Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax, despite never hitting the big time. Following a calamitous European tour, Lips and Robb, now in their fifties, set off to record their 13th album in one last attempt to fulfill their boyhood dreams. (imdb)
Your probable score
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Anvil! The Story of Anvil

2009
Drama
Documentary
1h 20m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 65.63% from 795 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(795)
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Rated 22 Nov 2009
90
97th
Similar in spirit to 'The Wrestler' and, like Rourke's character, these people will stay with you. Both films are about sticking to lifelong dreams when time has suddenly flown by and this remarkably focused portrayal of a band which, despite decades of complete dedication, has never been blessed with success pulls you in and makes you truly root for them. "Everything changes into something else" Lips says and his optimism, the friendship with Robb and their perseverance are touchingly conveyed.
Rated 15 May 2017
90
92nd
I always thought this was a mockumentary , oh my god.
Rated 23 May 2009
9
94th
At once both depressing and uplifting, a cry for living your life without regrets, and a look at what happens, when those regrets start creeping in. Heartwrenching.
Rated 22 Jun 2009
63
61st
Replace the pop-cultural phenomenon of the eighties, and you basically have a documentary version of The Wrestler: a vision of how some misguidedly use a cultural touchstone past its expiration date in an attempt to achieve glory. It just lacks its fictional counterpart's intensity and artistry.
Rated 27 Jul 2009
85
78th
I wanted to laugh these guys off, but I just couldn't. Their story is touching and despite their off-beat and sometimes misguided nature I couldn't help rooting for Anvil - the hair-metal band stuck in the eighties. I loved them for their brotherhood, their stubbornness, and their lifelong dedication. The guys are made out of metal. Back when Whitesnake,the Scorpions,and Bon Jovi were making pop metal,these guys were tearing shit up and making way for bands like Metallica.Bondage suit?Fuck yeah!
Rated 02 Dec 2009
80
84th
I hate heavy metal, had never heard of Anvil - and still couldn't take my eyes of this for even a second. Perfectly balanced between dispair and hope, laughter and pain this documentary tells a truly unique story of how to spend a lifetime getting your 15 seconds in the spotlight
Rated 05 Oct 2010
90
96th
I just fell in love. In love with Robb, Lips and Anvil! So close to hitting it big in the 80's, but yet so far away. Nonetheless, 35 years later, they are still rocking. Literally! Anvil is much more than just the story of a "we almost made it band", it is a story about spirit, believing in yourself, positivity, not giving up and last, but not the least, about the wonderful lifelong friendship between two guys who just wants to rock n' roll! Thank you Anvil, for sticking around!
Rated 26 May 2009
40
71st
It would no doubt have brought to mind Rob Reiner's rock mockumentary, This Is Spinal Tap, even had the drummer in Anvil not been named Robb Reiner, and even had the band not paid a reverential visit to Stonehenge. Though the laughs here may be fewer and smaller, the poignance is unmatched: "Family's important shit, man," gushes the lead singer, "Lips" Kudlow, when his big sister ponies up the financing for a new album.
Rated 14 Jun 2011
85
92nd
As many already have noted, the parallels to Spinal Tap are many (From one amplifier going to 11, right down to the drummer being named Robb Reiner!), and the band-members are as close to "over-the hill 80s rocker" caricatures as humanly possible. But rather than ridicule the documentary manages to capture a poignant and moving struggle against all odds, to realize a lifelong dream. which is much more about the journey than the destination.
Rated 19 Oct 2010
70
77th
What surprises the unsuspecting viewer of this documentary is that, after a while, the band members turn out to be neither obnoxious nor unlikeable, nor even particularly unintelligent. In short, they come across as human beings, holding on rather too tightly to fading dreams, perhaps, yet at least wanting to live their lives as an invention, however improbable, without for all that giving up on the need to also live to some extent in the real world. Which amounts to a genuine problem.
Rated 13 Apr 2009
89
86th
Do we really want people 2 hold on2 their dreams? Or is it only okay if they succeed? Were Anvil 2 hit it big now, the world would suddenly praise them 4 sticking it out this long. Until that day... this ultra rare view at 1 of the multitudes of never-weres. Not just any never-weres but 1s who doggedly follow the all-american motto 2 never give up, even as it drags them into their 50s. Sadly moving yet somehow inspiring, this doc challenges the 1000s of successful underdog stories we've been fed
Rated 20 Feb 2012
65
40th
The trouble with all "rockumentaries" is they come over as cheap "spinal Tap" knock-offs. This is actually a great story, well told, (fairly) likeable characters, but to truly root for a band like this you have to think "jeez, they were really good, how could they be so overlooked?". Because of poor content and editing, to me, it was more like Spinal Tap, where you think "haha .. .they are really shit!" ( and I love rock music). Its a shame, because the film DEPENDS on that positive judgement.
Rated 13 Nov 2009
85
75th
I thought I was going to hate this given that I'm so not a fan of metal and don't LOVE band documentaries...but I didn't. On one hand, it's pretty sad because Anvil really hasn't moved on from their 15 minutes of fame in the 80s and are still holding out all hope that they can get it back. On the other, they are so proud of what they've accomplished, with or without the fame and how can you not love that? Lips is a pretty captivating person and makes for a good documentary subject.
Rated 09 Nov 2009
86
87th
If you can get past the music (not my cup of tea) and their manner or dress (50-somethings dressing as teenage outcasts), you're left with a real life underdog story where the protagonists could not be any more out of step with what's "cool" in today's youth culture...and they could not care any less about it; they're just doing what they love for as long as they can. Reiner and Lips' violent blowouts and teary reconciliations show that there's a lot more to these guys than meets the eye.
Rated 02 Jun 2011
75
59th
American Movie comparisons are apt but not entirely accurate. Mark Borchardt is a more tragic figure who you want to succeed even though you're laughing uncontrollably at his failures. Here, these men carry with them a certain sincerity that paints the tragedy that often befalls them in a far darker tone. There are some tear-jerking emotional moments from these guys that express their touching devotion and kindness in a way that almost makes you regret the fact that you've never heard of them.
Rated 02 Jan 2011
70
53rd
Actually quite a touching story about suffering for your art, even if the art in question is a shade ludicrous.
Rated 23 Oct 2009
80
83rd
This movie shows the metal/rock spirit in a great way. You just kind of like those guys and want them to succeed, even if they are huge man-children.
Rated 02 Feb 2012
87
91st
It's like knowing you are going to get punched in the stomach, and then getting punched in the stomach, over and over again.
Rated 15 Jan 2010
8
80th
Sure to earn its place in the best of musical documentaries.
Rated 12 Jan 2010
89
67th
How can you not lke a heavy metal band that wrote a song about the Spanish Inqusition called Thumb-Hanger?.
Rated 19 Apr 2009
50
33rd
Yes, this is a real movie and "Anvil" is a real band, despite the drummer's name and a couple other things that look like _Spinal Tap_ references. The whole time I was thinking, "These guys are SUCH retards." Further evidence for the longstanding theory that people who are into drugs (even the legal ones) never grow up; in particular, "Lips" has the "stoner" default facial expression, and still speaks the "Sup dude!" metaller patois despite being over 50. Their music isn't so hot, either
Rated 07 Jul 2011
82
71st
This is the saddest Rock documentary ever! It's kind of inspiring the way they just carry on, with what could of been one of the leading frontmen in metal now working for a catering company, still finding time to be in a heavy metal band in his 50's. There was a lot of everything in this movie, it was depressing, funny, inspiring. I great ending too, we were all rooting for them.
Rated 07 Mar 2010
90
93rd
What appears to be nerdsploitation, turns out to be a testament to fearless determination. The members of Anvil are arguably not rocket scientists, but they more than make up for that with will power and faith in their abilities and each other. The true heart of Anvil, though, is in the touching bromance - a display of as powerful a connection between people, as anyone could ever hope to experience. An absolute jewel of a documentary.
Rated 16 Jan 2010
92
96th
20100116 - Heart-warming documentary about heavy metal band who refuse to let their dream die. Some really nice honesty from the band and their families.
Rated 21 May 2010
85
87th
It's inspirational to see these two guys refuse to give up on their dream despite futility for 25 years. As a "film" it's nothing new or special, but the people that it focuses on makes it as watchable as any documentary you will ever see. I'm not even that big of a fan of metal and I was enthralled by this movie. I'm glad this movie will give them at least a little more notoriety because if anyone in music deserves a break it's these guys.
Rated 24 Jan 2013
60
42nd
Couldn't help being a bit fed up with Lips in the end. It's a good film, but I might be colored by the fact that I just saw Sugarman, which is better, although it's basically the same story (okay, only to some degree). These guys are setting the tone and scene themselves. Who knows, from another perspective, they might actually not be too good. Definitely, Lips' singing isn't worthy of a dime. And no, I'm not saying that because I don't listen to metal. Even good metal isn't false.
Rated 12 May 2010
65
38th
I saw this on the anvil tour and thought it was going to be so much more. It was too short, dicked around, made you not particularly like or dislike the people. Made a good attempt; but, in the end, it was no spinal tap or even a good behind the music.
Rated 19 Jan 2010
65
76th
I wish I had a figment of bravery,belief and motivation these guys have.
Rated 26 Jun 2009
86
83rd
Touching tale of 'believing in the dream' and male bonding with a great 'odd couple' relationship at its heart. Beats Metallica's similar documentary because the leads are far more likeable and endearing.
Rated 08 Apr 2011
70
83rd
A depressing look at dedicating ones life to a fight impossible to win. It doesn't matter if you like metal or hate it, emotions of this film are universal. Even though it tells that hard work doesn't always pay off, you can't but admire the dedication to a dream that will never come true.
Rated 03 Jul 2010
74
59th
The most remarkable thing about this film is its unbelievable amount of similarities to "This is Spinal Tap." Some of them are surely planned, and some are just crazy coincidences. The film and its subjects are interesting and the story is heartwarming. However, its just not compelling enough to really pull at my heartstrings like other rags-to-sort-of=riches tales like "King of Kong" or "An American Movie."
Rated 29 Jan 2010
85
89th
The documentary of 2009. The passion and belief theese guys have is amazing to witness.
Rated 22 Dec 2009
82
76th
Heartfelt and usentimental, it catches the raw emotions of a band that has struggled for decades. It's the perfect antidote for Some Kind of Monster.
Rated 06 Apr 2012
72
51st
Underdogs or idiots. Whatever your take, this film succeeds in present two normal guys that had a great 15 minutes of fame. They are chasing another 15, and everyone must know they will fail. Still, the endearing persistence is oddly inspiring.
Rated 21 Mar 2013
80
81st
Anvil! Anvil! Anvil!
Rated 11 Jul 2009
70
33rd
This is Spinal Tap, part 2.
Rated 29 Sep 2010
81
78th
null
Rated 14 Apr 2022
91
85th
To the uninitiated (raises hand), this initially plays as a too-perfect parody ala SPINAL TAP (Robb Reiner? C’mon!) – what develops is a just about perfect portrait of a “washed-up” rock band, delivering some good-natured laughs at the absurdly cut-throat (and cruel) world of show business, while spotlighting Reiner and Kudlow’s passion, drive and flinty friendship dynamic which ultimately sustains the band through their ups and considerable downs. Entertaining and fascinating all the way.
Rated 29 Jul 2023
80
85th
This feels like such a honest documentary about a band that has stuck around through thick and thin. It shows the highs and the lows and doesn't shy away from some emotional moments. They seem like such good-hearted guys and their music is very awesome and genuine. You really start rooting for them and wishing them all the success that they have worked for so hard and that they definitely deserve. Loved the last part with their concert in Japan!
Rated 12 Dec 2012
77
51st
From my perspective as a non-metal fan I can't say this paints a flattering picture, but it's an interesting one nonetheless. These guys really do have a passion and it's interesting to see their joys and frustrations chasing a ridiculous dream.
Rated 18 Aug 2009
89
59th
Can't remember the last documentary that had me dreading the end, watching it through laced fingers, rooting for the heroes but almost certain they were headed to their doom. Br00tal. Yes, there are nods to THIS IS SPINAL TAP but this one has more in common with AMERICAN MOVIE.
Rated 30 Aug 2016
70
69th
Given the amount of praise it has received, I did expect something more. Yet, although it doesn't really offer anything extraordinary, the insight into touring, recording and trying to release material in a not-so-welcoming market is of interest. Lips and Robb are both very likable and their strong friendship along with their shared passion for their music result in some very touching, even deep moments. As a metalhead and Anvil fan, the parade of bigger names paying their respects is precious.
Rated 12 Dec 2010
46
66th
Der er nogen der bare altid taber...Anvil synes at være nogen af dem...
Rated 10 Mar 2011
83
82nd
Spinal Tap, 20 years later and real. Not as funny but a whole lot more depressing.
Rated 05 Sep 2015
80
85th
Anvil are persistence personified. Nothing but respect and admiration for them after watching this documentary. #1001movies
Rated 22 Mar 2013
70
44th
Truth be told I definitely am not a fan of the music yet that didn't affect my enjoyment of the film too much because this is a (shockingly) heartwarming tale of two band members who are almost like brothers and despite their going through all the routines that bands go through (most notably fights) and despite never achieving popularity again since decades ago and despite going through a lot of turbulence as a band still remain together doing what they love.
Rated 12 Nov 2014
83
86th
It's not like This is Spinal Tap needed more vindication but this was just lovely.
Rated 15 Aug 2021
68
66th
Anvil never went anywhere because their music didn't evolve, and by the mid 80s they were already toast, unable to compete with even the second tier bands of thrash and power metal who were streets ahead. But this documentary, rightly, has no interest in this kind of speculation and judgement. It is more concerned with perseverance, loyalty and friendship, as well as the difficulty of trying to live life according to nonconventional standards and measures. On this level, it is a real success.
Rated 30 Jun 2009
70
78th
Good!
Rated 28 Dec 2017
75
88th
Anvil are the shit!! This documentary shows the life of the band (mostly concentrating on Lips the singer/writer of the band). It goes through their highs and lows made by a director who is good at this type of film. There is good mixture of downs and crazy laughs to keep even non-metal fans interested. Keep the forges roaring fellas.
Rated 30 Jul 2012
68
53rd
C'mon Anvil!
Rated 26 Oct 2009
58
38th
Others here have mentioned comparisons to both This is Spinal Tap and The Wrestler, and I'd have to agree that it definitely feels like a combination of the two, but it fails to reach any of the high points accomplished by those films. It's still a pretty touching story, and at the least, I'd recommend it to any metal fan. "METAL... ON METAL!"
Rated 03 Aug 2011
70
50th
This isn't Spinal Tap. Although that's its reputation. And it's easy to see why people would say that, because the ending is EXACTLY the same. But that's a coincidence. It's actually fairly heartfelt and emotional. Yeah, the lead singer is kind of pathetic, but we never look at him from an ironic or comedic point of view. Or rather I never did. Anyways. Voltaire called optimism cruel, cold inertia. Lips suffers from too much optimism. That's why Anvil is still touring. Just sayin'.
Rated 02 Mar 2010
76
85th
Cutesy title aside, this isn't actually a mocking real-life Spinal Tap story. It's a helping hand from a long-time fan who clearly wants to see Anvil achieve the measure of success he feels they deserve. Yes, the band members and the situations they find themselves in do lend to lots of Tap-esque humor, but ultimately the story is more inspirational. It does play like a VH1 Special though.
Rated 28 Nov 2010
81
78th
Sad. I found myself pulling for these (let's face it - by now) mildly delusional dudes. Appropriate "happy" ending with their Japanese gig - couldn't be more bittersweet.
Rated 02 Jul 2011
90
86th
There are numerous references, some clearly intentional and some coincidental (like the drummer), to Spinal Tap in here. So if you watch it blind, you don't know whether it's a documentary or mockumentary. And I guess, in the end, that this winds up being a reflection on the band itself: their careers and lives are straddling reality and fiction.
Rated 19 Dec 2009
60
40th
The band, the story, the emotions, everything is great but as a doc. it's a wee weak.. Not very clear on what's happening most of the time, never a mention on why they failed in the 80s etc.. Bu quite a good watch.. Oh and made me discover Anvil, really great music, so that's a big
Rated 18 Jun 2010
37
23rd
I like the band, and I was so stoked to watch this movie..some of it I thought was ok...but some of it looked so fake and phony...it looked rehearsed
Rated 26 May 2012
78
75th
Thoroughly inspiring tale of sticking to your dreams no matter what. How much of creativity is self-delusion? Robb and Lips are very likeable, if unfashionably sincere people. It's a credit to Gervasi that he allows this to shine through and resists getting easy Spinal Tap laughs out of them - mostly.
Rated 16 Oct 2011
30
78th
"A European tour fraught with shady venue owners, missed trains and in-fighting, and subsequent efforts to record their 13th studio album are misadventures that a less compassionate filmmaker might have wrung for cheap Spinal Tap-ish humor." - Nick Schager
Rated 24 Dec 2010
5
0th
After 1984's heavy-metal satire This Is Spinal Tap started the mockumentary craze, most documentary makers pandered to audiences through sarcasm and propaganda. But the true-life heavy-metal Anvil finally -- beautifully -- restores the genre.
Rated 30 Nov 2012
80
80th
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.
Rated 08 May 2011
68
72nd
What I learned from this movie: Between Anvil and Jesse and the Rippers, the Japanese have questionable taste in music.
Rated 13 Sep 2011
37
25th
Metal has never felt softer.
Rated 16 Apr 2009
82
65th
I spent the whole film thinking it was a parody... and my god I wish it was. Emotionally involving docummentry about the band that never made it.
Rated 02 Jun 2009
4
62nd
The brother-like relation between the main band members and their strong belief in the big break even after 25 years are very touching. Kudos to the famliy of the band members.
Rated 24 Feb 2014
85
45th
Pretty charming documentary. I kept asking myself if it was real. Yep, this is as real as it gets.
Rated 20 Jan 2011
72
65th
so honest
Rated 12 Jan 2012
80
83rd
Just watch it.
Rated 07 Jan 2011
52
51st
Like in "American Movie," the work these artists is doing is almost irrelevant; what's so compelling & touching is their sincere devotion to it. Also like AM, there are numerous scenes that seem too good/funny to be real... yet they are.
Rated 13 Sep 2010
90
90th
What starts off as what I first thought to be a mockumentary and a possible sequel to 'Spinal Tap'' quickly turns out to be very real and one of the best documentaries in years.
Rated 15 Nov 2011
79
80th
Everyone says it's Spinal Tap for real, and it pretty much is, though there's more to it than that. Early-80s heavy metal also-rans Anvil are still going at it 25 years later, and despite utter lack of success they refuse to accept that it's not just over, it never even really started. "We've been doing this since we were 14 years old, now we're in our 50s... We're gonna be rock stars!" And they really believe it so much you just want them to succeed, if only for one goddamn night in Japan.
Rated 11 Jul 2011
89
93rd
A great insight to the after-life of a main line rock band as they persist in trying to make it on to the big stage again. Along with 'Dig!' this is probably one of the best Rockumentries I've seen.
Rated 18 Jan 2011
9
97th
Essentially a rock band version of American Movie, centering around extremely lovable characters, with an unimaginable wealth of heart and dedication, who, although they are not without talent, are decidedly sub-par in their abilities.
Rated 25 Nov 2009
82
67th
emotionally fueled with interesting characters...nice doc.

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