VH1 has obtained the exclusive rights to Anvil! The Story of Anvil and will handle the television and DVD release, and will also distribute the film theatrically in association with Abramorama starting April 10, 2009 in New York and Los Angeles followed by a national roll-out.

The documentary is about the 1980s heavy metal band Anvil, who are known to have influenced the likes of Metallica, Anthrax, and Slayer, but never attained the same fame and fortune as their peers. While other bands rose, they plummeted into obscurity, but the band never gave up their dreams. Sacha Gervasi, who wrote Steven Spielberg’s The Terminal and is a long-time fan of the Anvil, made his directorial debut with this documentary, which follows the current band members — including founders Steve ‘Lips’ Kudlow and Robb Reiner — on a recent effort to finally “make it” in the music business.

VH1 will air the documentary on television and will release the DVD this summer. Anvil! The Story of Anvil premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, where it received critical and audience acclaim; the film has since gone on to receive more praise and awards at other film festivals.

As for the band itself, it was announced that Anvil has recently been signed by manager Rick Sales (Slayer), U.S. agent Scott Sokol (Megadeth, Heaven and Hell), and UK agent Steve Strange (Coldplay). As previously reported (see ‘Anvil! The Story of Anvil’ Theatrical Trailer + Screening/Tour Dates), in support of the film, VH1 is presenting a 7-city mini-tour where at each tour stop, the film will be played immediately followed by a short performance by Anvil.

Here are some other promotions VH1 has planned:

• In an unprecedented move, for the first time ever the network will run the full length movie trailer of the film like a music video throughout all VH1 video hours — morning, overnights, on VH1 Classic and on vh1.com and vh1classic.com.
• In the weeks leading up to the theatrical release, VH1 will be creating a VH1 News package that will include a new interview with Lips and Robb.
• On vh1.com and vh1classic.com, Robb and Lips will be featured on an episode of the original series “My Playlist” as they discuss their influences and favorite Classic Rock songs.
• VH1 Classic will air an episode of its original talk show “That Metal Show” with Robb and Lips and will center on Anvil’s career, music, upcoming tour and the film. This episode will run timed to the film’s April theatrical release and will then repeat promoting the film’s television premiere on VH1 and the film’s availability on DVD.