A Young Russell Crowe in Hammers Over the Anvil DVD Review

Set in the early 1900s Outback, this bittersweet Australian drama is a must-see for any Russell Crowe fan. The young polio-crippled Alan Marshall (Alexander Outhred) admires East Driscoll (Russell Crowe). East is a strong magnificent man who seems to have no ties and lives by his own rules. He breaks horses for a living and is one of the best. Alan looks up to East due to his strong will and free nature that Alan feels he will never experience in his own life. However, Alan is determined to be like East and wants to learn how to ride.

When Alan runs into a very married Grace McAlister (Charlotte Rampling), the local aristocratic beauty, he develops a crush. Alan later finds out that East has too. East and Grace begin a torrid passionate love affair and East becomes consumed by her. When Alan catches the two in the act, he is in awe of the beauty of them together. East and Grace entrust Alan with the knowledge of their affair and he becomes connected to both of them forever.

East becomes obsessed with Grace and insists that she leave her husband and run away with him. She refuses several times, but East is obstinate. At a local barn dance, East shows up drunk and makes a scene. He begs Grace to come away with him and she flatly refuses again. East is so hurt and traumatized by this that he jumps on his horse and violently rides off barely being able to sit up straight in the saddle.

Hammers Over the Anvil is masterly told through the eyes of young Alan. We see his East - a heroic, strong and silent man. We watch the affair between East and Grace as it gradually evolves. We see these things through a boy's eyes, with a boy's thoughts and attitude. Through these scenes, we are also watching young Alan grow up. The storyline is a bit plain but carries itself well. Russell Crowe's acting is superb. He has an amazing ability to show such true emotion through his gestures and facial expressions. Hammers Over the Anvil is a wonderful independent film with beautiful cinematography. For those interested, there is a nude scene of Mr. Crowe on horseback.

The DVD is full screen (1.33:1) and the sound is in Dolby Digital 2.0. Besides some short actor biographical screens, there are no real extras on the disc.

Source:

Hammers Over the Anvil, Fox Lorber DVD, 2000