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.

---

Plot Keywords:

character name as title | surname as title | one word title | deaf | wrestling | 

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama | Sport

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some sexual material

Did You Know?

Trivia

You can spot director, Oren Kaplan walking through the RIT hallway when Matt makes his way to his dorm room.

---

Goofs

The grandfather told him that RIT would consider him for a scholarship in his second year if the first went well. RIT is a Division III school and cannot offer athletic scholarships.

---

Quotes

Ron Gross: So. Here we are. Seems certainly fitting this is how it's coming to a close. Jason Sloan, two-time national champ, against Matt Hamill. Whoever wins tonight will forever be called a champion. For Sloan, well, he's looking to be called a three-time national champion. That's what's at stake for him. That's how bad he wants it. And the only thing standing in the way of everything this guy has ever worked for is a sophomore walk-on.

---

Connections

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

---

Soundtracks

Runnin Outta Dough
Written by RYU, Apathy, Scoop Deville
Performed by Get Busy Committee
Courtesy of Tokyo Sex Whale 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.

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

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$30,929

Company Credits

Production Co:

Film Harvest, Fifth Year Productions, Sawhorse Productions

Technical Specs

Color:

Color