The Hammer (2010)

A coming of age drama following the life of Matt Hamill, the first deaf wrestler to win a National Collegiate Wrestling Championship.

Director:

Oren Kaplan

Writers:

Eben Kostbar, Joseph McKelheer

Stars:

Russell Harvard, Raymond J. Barry, Shoshannah Stern

6 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Russell Harvard	...	Matt Hamill
Raymond J. Barry	...	Stanley Leroy McCoy
Shoshannah Stern	...	Kristi Jones
Michael Anthony Spady	...	Jay Jakubowski
Courtney Halverson	...	Michelle
Susan Gibney	...	Janet Hamill
Joseph McKelheer	...	Ron Gross
Eben Kostbar	...	Coach Cantrell
Rich Franklin	...	Coach Pruitt
Stephen Dodd	...	Coach Rich
Gavin Bellour	...	Pat Hamill
Theodore Conley	...	Young Matt Hamill
Lexi Marman	...	Kelly
Kara Luiz	...	Vivian
Cory Knauf	...	Dale

Storyline

THE HAMMER is a sports drama depicting the struggles and successes Matt Hamill faced on the way to becoming a champion. Raised among those with the ability to hear, Matt later finds himself no less an outsider amidst the Deaf Community. Through sheer determination, he uses his perceived disability as an asset, and becomes both the first deaf wrestler to win a National Collegiate Championship and an inspirational force to the hearing and deaf alike.

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Plot Keywords:

deaf | wrestling | sign language | lacrosse | montage | 

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Taglines:

He knew he could be a champion. They knew he could be much more.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some sexual material

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 October 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hamill

Filming Locations:

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,442, 24 October 2011, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$75,729, 3 November 2011

Company Credits

Production Co:

Film Harvest, Fifth Year Productions, Sawhorse Productions

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The UFC scenes were shot at live UFC events.

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Goofs

Even though RIT is a division III school, they can offer scholarships to their athletes through the means of academic, need-based, and extra-curricular involvement. Predominantly through donations and grant money from alumni or the government, especially for the deaf or hard of hearing students.

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Quotes

Coach Cantrell: Hey, you know why he beat you, right?
Matt Hamill: I ran out of time.
Coach Cantrell: No. He had a strategy - scoring points.
Matt Hamill: Yeah, but time ran out before I could...
Coach Cantrell: Pin him? You don't have to pin everyone you wrestle. The goal is to win, right? Takedown, reversal - two points. Escape - one point. Near fall - two or three points.
Matt Hamill: Coach, I know all this. Doesn't matter. I know I can pin him.
Coach Cantrell: Even the best wrestlers, they can't pin quality opponents most of the time. You don't have to pin. Just have to win.

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Connections

Featured in MMA H.E.A.T.: R You Ready? (2011)

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Soundtracks

Every Trace
Written by The Dreaming
Performed by The Dreaming
Courtesy of F.O.F/EMI Records

User Reviews

Great Feel-Good Film

The Hammer kinda surprised me. I knew it'd be good, but not this good. I mean most inspirational movies are good and professionally portrayed. Also, let me say that I am a fan of the UFC. I know of Matt Hammil from the Ultimate Fighter and in his career in the UFC. I highly respect his talent and skill, so reinforce the fact all the obstacles he's had to overcome has made this movie that much more uplifting. I believe this movies is good enough to be nominated for a major award, but I don't hold any weight in the industry so....anyway. I'm in the process of watching it now, and had to get an IMDb account just to do this review. TWO THUMBS UP!! Oh yeah, I have a deaf uncle and I'm sure he'd appreciate this film.