Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Anvil! The Story of Anvil Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 28, 2023

It’s easy to describe “Anvil!” as a real-world version of “This is Spinal Tap,” but the comparison is incredibly accurate. The comedy of “Spinal Tap” certainly didn’t come out of thin air, leading me to believe that the antics of the Canadian metal band Anvil must’ve played some part in the 1984 comedy classic. While suitably absurd and prone to spotlighting rock cliché humiliation, “Anvil” is a far more loving film than it seems at first glance. Taking a second look at the career of a band who was always this close to the success of their brothers in the headbangin’ business, “Anvil!” is a stupendous document of perseverance and crushing music industry realities, brought to life by two men who somehow managed to keep the devil horns raised through decades of disappointment.

Since the 1970s, vocalist/guitarist Steve “Lips” Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner have kept the band Anvil marching forward in the face of paralyzing failure and missed opportunities. Achieving a modicum of success in the early ‘80s with such cult classics as “Metal on Metal,” the band toured the world, frightened fellow rock stars with their volcanic stage presence (Kudlow would often solo on guitar using a vibrator), and churned out a series of albums that wowed the industry. They just couldn’t sell any of them to the public.

Decades later, Anvil still remains, with only Kudlow and Reiner surviving from the original line-up, and the spotlight has dimmed long ago. Now Kudlow supplements his income by making food deliveries to elementary schools and Reiner supports himself with contracting gigs. They remain feisty musicians, keeping the Anvil brand alive throughout the years with indie releases and tours here and there, but the window of opportunity has dramatically narrowed, leaving the men aware of their musical mortality, but unwilling to hang up the thunder just yet.

Directed by Sacha Gervasi, “Anvil!” seeks to redefine what the band contributed to the classic metal scene (interviews with the likes of Lars Ulrich, Slash, and Lemmy recount the envy) and capture a rebirth after years of poisonous stagnancy. Offered a European tour by a dubious promoter, Kudlow and Reiner eagerly hit the road to seek a needed blast of fame and hopefully some fortune. Any student of “Spinal Tap” surely knows what occurs next: missed flights, lost money, tiny audiences, and mounting frustrations that lead to petty infighting. The road takes few prisoners.

Somehow, through the art of direction, Gervasi doesn’t seek to make fools of Kudlow and Reiner. In fact, he’s in love with these dreamers, as “Anvil!” is a valentine to the band and their insecurities. Observing the boys stroll right into failure and confusion time and again would be enough fodder to craft an extravagant farce, but Gervasi is infatuated with the spirit and bond shared between these men, especially Kudlow, who pays tribute to his Canadian heritage by remaining positive throughout every violation of trust thrown at him. Even his outbursts toward awful club managers and Reiner come across as more of a polite cleansing than bitter rage, and believe me, this guy has every right to throw his hands up in disgust. Instead, Kudlow maintains an enviable peace with his disappointment, which Gervasi deftly juxtaposes against a stream of humiliation as Kudlow frantically searches for seed money to get Anvil up and moving, preferably into the comforting arms of legendary producer and amateur band therapist, Chris Tsangarides, who worked with the group before and, decades later, is ready to make some magic happen again.

Anvil! The Story of Anvil Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Anvil" is billed as "newly remastered in 2022 with enhanced color." Already a fairly low- tech documentary, "Anvil" receives a respectful upconversion and refreshing of hues, with the most noticeable boosting emerging during domestic exploration, bringing out decent primaries on clothing and winterscapes. Resolution wavers with the age of interviews and events (clipping is common, but this appears to be an inherent issue), but the majority of the viewing experience delivers adequate detail with expected softness. Delineation is acceptable. Source is in decent condition.

Anvil! The Story of Anvil Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

A "remixed" 5.1 DTS-HD MA track offers defined interview audio, preserving the scattered thoughts of band members, and the more emotional memories from loved ones. Bar and arena conversations are also intact. Music offers some power, filling the surrounds with Anvil tunes, which retain crisp instrumentation and a heavier low-end. Atmospherics are milder but appreciable.

Anvil! The Story of Anvil Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

A live performance of Anvil's "School Love" is listed on the packaging, but doesn't appear to be included in the extras.

Disc 1

• Commentary 2022 features director Sacha Gervasi.

• Commentary 2008 features director Sacha Gervasi and musicians Steve Kudlow and Robb Reiner.

• Commentary 2008 #2 features director Sacha Gervasi, producer Rebecca Yeldham, and Editor Andrew Dickler.

• Deleted Scenes (15:55, SD) include "Choice Children's Catering," "Former Band Members," and "Lips' Brother."

• "Where Are They Now?" (3:10, SD) catches up with past Anvil band members Dave Allison and Ian Dickson.

• "This Feels Good" (12:37, SD) covers Anvil topics with musicians Jeff Kudlow, Glenn Five, and Robb Reiner.

• "Sascha Gervasi Rocks with Anvil" (4:16, SD) is performance clip, with the filmmaker taking over on drums.

• "Anvil Q&A at Saban Theater" (17:04, HD) is a chat moderated by Steve-O.

• Interview (30:04, SD) is an extended chat with musician Lars Ulrich.

• Interview (16:13, HD) is a discussion of the music business with mastering engineer Maor Applebaum.

• Interview (7:31, HD) sits down with Steve Kudlow of Anvil.

• Backstage Interview (4:39, HD) offers time with Steve Kudlow and Robb Reiner.

• Q&A (32:25, HD) collects anecdotes and thoughts from director Sascha Gervasi, musicians Steve Kudlow and Robb Reiner, and actor Peter Dinklage.

• And a Teaser Trailer (:39, HD), a Theatrical Trailer (2:38, HD), and a U.K. Theatrical Trailer (2:04, SD) are included.

Disc 2

• Interview (93:36, HD) is an extended conversation about Anvil and the documentary with director Sacha Gervasi and musicians Jeff Kudlow and Robb Reiner, moderated by Matt Pinfield.

• "Rich Roll Video Podcast" (131:20, HD) welcomes director Sacha Gervasi and musicians Jeff Kudlow and Robb Reiner.

• Picture-in-Picture Commentary features director Sacha Gervasi and musicians Jeff Kudlow and Robb Reiner.

• 2022 Video Commentary features director Sacha Gervasi and musicians Jeff Kudlow and Robb Reiner.

• 2022 Video Commentary #2 features director Sacha Gervasi and producer Rebecca Yeldham, which is more of a video conference conversation with the filmmakers, complete with introductory timing and technical challenges.

Anvil! The Story of Anvil Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The concept of indefatigable faith in talent and the patience to ride out the bucking yin/yang of life elevates "Anvil!" over many similar stories of pop culture banishment. Gervasi wipes away the obvious punchlines to present Kudlow and Reiner as sensitive, generous, and terrified men nervously facing the rest of their life without the proper career explosion they deserve, and that potent tension turns "Anvil!" from a cheap laugh to a documentary that's thrillingly heartfelt and extracts a genuine reflection on life that's downright poetic.