Hammers Over the Anvil

Hammers Over the Anvil is a 1993 Australian biographical romantic drama film starring Russell Crowe and directed by Ann Turner, who also co-wrote with Peter Hepworth. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Alan Marshall. The original music score is composed by Not Drowning, Waving.

Plot
Based on the novel of the same name by Alan Marshall, the film is set in the early 1900s in a small town in the Western District of Victoria, centring around a young Alan Marshall and the people in his town. Crippled by polio, Alan tries to make sense of his place in a world where a man's physical prowess gains the admiration of women and the envy of his peers, as demonstrated by the horsebreaker East Driscoll, portrayed by Russell Crowe. Charlotte Rampling also stars as an English lady, Grace McAlister, who has moved to the area with her husband. Complications arise as an attraction develops between East and Grace and young Alan deals with the complexities of growing up.

Cast

 * Charlotte Rampling as Grace McAlister
 * Russell Crowe as East Driscoll
 * Alex Outhred as Alan Marshall
 * Frankie J. Holden as "Bushman" Marshall
 * Amanda Douge as Nellie Bolster
 * Frank Gallacher as Mr. Thomas (a preacher)
 * John Lee as Charles McAlister
 * Daphne Grey as Mrs. Herbert
 * Alethea McGrath as Mrs. Blison
 * Wayne Pygram as Snarley Burns

Production
The project had been around for a number of years. The script was originally written by Peter Hepworth then rewritten by Ann Turner.

It is set and filming in South Australia's Red Creek in seven weeks on 11 October and 29 November 1991.

Box office
Hammers Over the Anvil grossed $50,491 at the box office in Australia.