Anvil: The Story of Anvil Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two middle-aged metalheads refuse to give up their dream of rock stardom despite decades of obscurity and comically disastrous tours, proving that sometimes the only thing heavier than metal is delusion.

🍿 Anvil: The Story of Anvil: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Early Dreams and Influences

The documentary opens by establishing Anvil’s early influence on the metal scene. Interviews with members of Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax highlight Anvil’s impact on their musical development in the 1980s. Archival footage showcases Anvil’s performance at a major music festival in Japan, suggesting they were on the cusp of mainstream success. Despite the early promise, Anvil never achieved the same level of fame as their contemporaries. The film transitions to present day, revealing that band members Steve ‘Lips’ Kudlow and Robb Reiner now work day jobs to support themselves while still pursuing their musical dreams.

The European Tour Disaster

Anvil embarks on a poorly organized European tour, booked by an inexperienced manager. The tour is riddled with problems, including low attendance, unpaid gigs, and logistical nightmares. These challenges highlight the harsh realities of being a band struggling to stay afloat in the music industry. Humorous and disheartening moments ensue as Anvil navigates the tour, encountering apathetic venue owners and dealing with constant setbacks. This section emphasizes their dedication and resilience despite the difficult circumstances.

Recording ‘This Is Thirteen’

Determined to revive their career, Anvil sets out to record their thirteenth album, ‘This Is Thirteen.’ They enlist the help of a renowned metal producer, but financial constraints and creative differences create tension within the band. Lips and Robb face numerous obstacles in their effort to produce the album, including financial issues and disagreements that threaten their longtime friendship. This section focuses on their struggle to balance their artistic vision with practical limitations.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Steve ‘Lips’ Kudlow (Steve ‘Lips’ Kudlow): The determined and emotional lead singer and guitarist of Anvil, relentlessly pursuing rock stardom despite setbacks.
• Robb Reiner (Robb Reiner): The calm and supportive drummer of Anvil, balancing artistic passion with the realities of life.
• Tiziana Arrigoni (Tiziana Arrigoni): Anvil’s well-meaning but inexperienced manager whose organizational skills lead to a calamitous European tour.
• Scott Ian (Scott Ian): The rhythm guitarist for Anthrax, acknowledging Anvil’s influence on the metal scene.
• Lars Ulrich (Lars Ulrich): The drummer for Metallica, recognizing Anvil’s impact and contribution to heavy metal.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Robb Reiner: “I can answer that in one word… two words… three words: we haven’t got good management.” – Expresses their frustration and identifies a key reason for their lack of success.
• Lips: “We wanna be rock stars!” – Highlights the band’s unwavering ambition despite years of setbacks.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: $667,911
• Worldwide Gross: $951,380

💥 Anvil: The Story of Anvil Reviews

Personal Review

This movie hit me hard. As a musician myself, I’ve seen the struggles firsthand. The scene where Lips gets a phone call from Japan and the look on his face when he is on the verge of getting his dream moved me to tears. The ending made me believe anything is possible!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of heavy metal music”
  • “Viewers interested in underdog stories”
  • “People who appreciate documentaries about perseverance and friendship”
  • “Those who enjoyed ‘This is Spinal Tap'”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Adult themes”
  • “Some scenes of conflict”

Professional Reviews

• Rolling Stone: “A surprisingly heartfelt and hilarious documentary that transcends the heavy metal genre. Anvil’s struggles are universal, resonating with anyone who’s ever chased a dream against all odds. It’s a must-see even if you don’t know a power chord from a power drill.
• The New York Times: “Anvil is more than just a music doc; it’s a poignant character study of two lifelong friends whose unwavering dedication to their band is both inspiring and heartbreaking. Prepare to laugh, cry, and headbang all in the same 80 minutes.
• Los Angeles Times: “Anvil walks the tightrope between comedy and tragedy, revealing the absurdities of the music industry while celebrating the indomitable spirit of these Canadian metal warriors. You’ll find yourself unexpectedly invested in their quest for success.

Audience Reactions

The unwavering friendship between Lips and Robb is truly inspiring.: Viewers were moved by the genuine camaraderie and lifelong bond between the band members.

I laughed until I cried at the Spinal Tap-esque mishaps on their European tour!: Audiences found the band’s misfortunes both hilarious and relatable, drawing comparisons to the mockumentary ‘This Is Spinal Tap’.

Overall Consensus: Anvil is a critically acclaimed documentary that resonates with audiences for its heartfelt portrayal of friendship, perseverance, and the pursuit of dreams, regardless of success or genre preference.

Awards

1. Primetime Emmy Award (Outstanding Sound Editing for Nonfiction Programming (Single or Multi-Camera))- 2009
2. Independent Spirit Awards (Best Documentary)- 2010

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Sacha Gervasi was a former roadie for Anvil in the 1980s, giving him unique access and perspective on the band’s story.”
• “Despite the film’s success, Anvil had difficulty securing distribution initially, reflecting the band’s own struggles within the music industry.”
• “Many viewers were initially unsure if the film was a ‘mockumentary’ like Spinal Tap, highlighting the absurdity and challenges it portrayed.”

🖥️ How to Watch Anvil: The Story of Anvil?

Anvil! The Story of Anvil is available for streaming or purchase on various platforms. You can find it on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and other streaming services that offer documentary films. Check your local listings for availability. You may also be able to purchase the film on DVD or Blu-ray from online retailers like Amazon.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Anvil: The Story of Anvil, you might like these similar films:

• This Is Spinal Tap (1984): A hilarious mockumentary about a fictional heavy metal band, often compared to Anvil for its portrayal of rock and roll absurdity.
• Searching for Sugar Man (2012): Documentary about a musician who achieved unexpected fame in South Africa, similar theme of belated recognition.
• American Movie (1999): Follows an independent filmmaker’s relentless struggle to complete a low-budget horror film; shares the theme of unwavering artistic commitment despite constant setbacks.
• Metallica: Some Kind of Monster (2004): Another music documentary that showcases the human side of a famous band and their struggles with each other.

🛒 Anvil: The Story of Anvil Related Products

• Anvil – Metal on Metal [Remastered]: The definitive album that helped define Anvil’s sound and influence on the metal scene. Remastered for enhanced audio quality, bringing the classic tracks to life.
• Anvil! The Story of Anvil [Blu-ray]: Experience the inspiring and hilarious documentary in stunning high definition. Includes bonus features like deleted scenes and extended interviews.
• Anvil – This Is Thirteen [CD]: The 13th album that features the song ‘Thumb Hang’. This is their first studio album in nine years since Absolutely No Alternative, and their first to feature bassist Glenn Five.
• Anvil – Strength of Steel [CD]: Anvil’s Strength of Steel (1987) featuring Straight Between the Eyes and Concrete Jungle.

🎧 Soundtrack

Anvil: The Story of Anvil features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Metal on Metal” – performed by Anvil
• “Thumb Hang” – performed by Anvil

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

ANVIL – “How did you get the name Lips?”

Ever wondered how Anvil’s frontman got such a memorable nickname? Check out this quick clip where Lips himself explains the story behind it – you won’t believe how simple and kinda funny it is!

✨ Rate