Hammers Over the Anvil
“An aristocratic Englishwoman, an Australian horseman and a young boy on a journey towards the exciting but forbidden world of adults.”
Synopsis
Set in the summer of 1910 in Australia the film follows the story of 14 year old Alan Marshall (Alexander Outhread) as he stumbles out of childhood towards the exciting yet forbidding world of adulthood. For Alan, despite the effects of polio, there is only one passion in life - to become a great horseman just like his hero, the reclusive horse trainer East Driscoll (Russell Crowe). Alan is one of East's few friends and also one of the few who knows about the affair between East and the aristocratic English woman Grace McAlister (Charlotte Rampling). Things inevitably take a turn towards the tragic when East becomes determined to force Grace to leave her husband and run away with him. Hammers Over The Anvil is an evocative coming of age film from Australian director Ann Turner.
Top Cast
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Russell Crowe
East Driscoll
Charlotte Rampling
Grace McAlister
Alexander Outhread
Alan Marshall
Frankie J. Holden
Bushman Marshall
Jake Frost
Joe Carmichael
Alethea McGrath
Mrs. Bilson
John Rafter Lee
Charles McAlister
Frank Gallacher
Mr. Thomas the Preacher
Amanda Douge
Nellie Bolster
Kirsty McGregor
Elsie Marshall
Daphne Grey
Mrs. Herbert
Caroline Kemp
Lucy Taylor
Sam Nightingale
Freckles Jack
Syd Brisbane
Duke the Dance Caller
Peter Osborn
Father Finnegan
Wayne Pygram
Snarley Burns
Lachlan Fischer
Brigalow Bush Band
John H. Francis
Brigalow Bush Band
Release History & Theatrical Window
Berlin International Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Ann Turner
- Screenplay & Story
- Peter Hepworth, Ann Turner
- Original Score
- Not Drowning Waving
- Original Title
- Hammers Over the Anvil
- Country of Origin
- Australia
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 37m
- Production Studios
- Harvest Productions Pty. Ltd., South Australian Film Corporation, Australian Film Finance Corporation
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Ann Turner
Peter Hepworth, Ann Turner, Peter Gawler, Sue Smith
Not Drowning Waving
James Bartle
Ken Sallows
Ben Gannon
Department Leadership Roster
Zev Eleftheriou
Stunt Coordinator
Ann Turner
Director
Peter Hepworth
Screenplay
Ann Turner
Screenplay
Not Drowning Waving
Original Music Composer
James Bartle
Director of Photography
Ken Sallows
Editor
Ben Gannon
Producer
Ross Major
Production Design
Ross Major
Costume Design
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Mature — Recommended for viewers 15 and older.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Hammers Over the Anvil.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hammers Over the Anvil
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Hammers Over the Anvil about?
Set in the summer of 1910 in Australia the film follows the story of 14 year old Alan Marshall (Alexander Outhread) as he stumbles out of childhood towards the exciting yet forbidding world of adulthood. For Alan, despite the effects of polio, there is only one passion in life - to become a great horseman just like his hero, the reclusive horse trainer East Driscoll (Russell Crowe). Alan is one of East's few friends and also one of the few who knows about the affair between East and the aristocratic English woman Grace McAlister (Charlotte Rampling). Things inevitably take a turn towards the tragic when East becomes determined to force Grace to leave her husband and run away with him. Hammers Over The Anvil is an evocative coming of age film from Australian director Ann Turner.
Who directed Hammers Over the Anvil?
Hammers Over the Anvil was directed by Ann Turner.
Who stars in Hammers Over the Anvil?
The principal cast of Hammers Over the Anvil includes Russell Crowe, Charlotte Rampling, Alexander Outhread, Frankie J. Holden, Jake Frost.
When was Hammers Over the Anvil released and how long is it?
Hammers Over the Anvil was released in 1994 with a total runtime of 1h 37m.
Who composed the musical score for Hammers Over the Anvil?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Hammers Over the Anvil was composed by Not Drowning Waving.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Hammers Over the Anvil?
Hammers Over the Anvil holds official age classifications: AU: M (Mature — Recommended for viewers 15 and older.).