Customer Ratings & Reviews

This film is groundbreaking. The first feature length film of its kind. Written and Produced by Joseph McKelheer and Eben Kostbar, Directed by Oren Kaplan with Matt Hamill's full support. The Hammer is based on the true story of the first deaf NCAA Wrestling Champion and UFC Fighter, Matt "The Hammer" Hamill. This film follows Matt from childhood to navigating through college on his mission of becoming a national wrestling champion, despite what some would call his "handicap." The Hammer is the first of what we hope will be many films and tv shows to feature a large amount of deaf and Hard of Hearing cast/crew. Matt Hamill supported the originally slated star, Eben Kostbar (Writer/Producer), to fill his shoes. However, the writers/producers chose to cast a deaf actor in the role for authenticity. This proved to be the greatest decision they could make, as it opened many doors for Deaf/HOH people in the film industry. This film features some ASL with subtitles for the hearing audience. The audio is edited in certain parts for the hearing audience to try to experience what it would be like to be deaf; although no hearing person can truly understand what it's like. While watching this film you will experience many emotions. There were moments that made me laugh, moments that made me cry and moments that kept me on the edge of my seat. Wrestling has never been so exciting! The entire cast is extraordinary and deliver pure emotions on screen. You will fall in love with Russell Harvard and Michael Anthony Spady will become your new best friend! In theaters the film is fully captioned, however you may turn that option on or off while watching the DVD. Extra features were fun to watch. This film was accepted into 8 film festivals, and swept all 8!

A feel-good movie about a disabled athlete overcoming obstacles to become the first deaf wrestler to win a national title.

This is one of the best movies I have seen yet. My 4 year old son and I first went and saw this movie when it was in theaters, and I knew as soon as it was on DVD I was going to buy it. This movie does much more than just tells a story. It allows the viewer to have a small glimpse on what is like for someone who is not like them. It shows the true adversities that Matt Hamill went through to get where he is today. I like the fact that its main focus was not on the UFC or even wrestling. The main focus was on Matts life and all that he went through. It shows the viewer that no matter what obstacles you may face in your lifetime it is possible to overcome them. It has moments where you can’t help but laugh, and in the next you can’t help but cry.