The Anchor Man (2001) Online
The legend of John Henry, historically celebrated in song and story, is the account of an ex-slave and steel driver who victoriously raced a drilling machine through a mountain, died of exhaustion shortly after and hence became an African-American folk hero. Anthony Milo is the strongest and fastest sprinter at New York City's Gonzaga College, whose 4 x 400 meter relay team is on their way to winning a national championship title. What do these two men have in common? In both of their stories they are destined to race towards death to let their true spirits live. THE ANCHOR MAN is the story of strength reborn into the heart of a young man, whose convictions lead him on a journey from the explosion of the starting gun to an explosion of artistic expression.
| Credited cast: | |||
 | Zachary Diggs | - | David Lincoln |
| Marlon John | - | Anthony Milo |
 | Jabbar E. McDonald | - | Malicky Wilson |
| John O'Leary | - | Coach Farnese |
Director Christopher Summa received special recognition at the Brooklyn Film Festival for his unique union of Italian-American and African-American themes in the film.
The championship 4 by 400 meter track relay race that the characters run in was filmed using an actual track meet in New York city. Unable to get the proper filming permits necessary the producers secretly entered the actors as a new team called "Gonzaga". Unbeknownst to the track officials, there were two 16mm film cameras, one video camera, and one still photographer set in place around the indoor arena. Although the actors looked great in their uniforms, they were lapped twice and finished dead last. The films editing portrays an amazingly different scenario.
All the characters in the film attend Gonzaga College in New York. This is a fictional Jesuit College that was supposed to be located in the Bronx, NY. Symbolically, Aloysius Gonzaga is the Patron Saint of Youth, he died in his early 20's.
Coach Farnese, Gonzaga's Head Track Coach, is named after the famous Farnese family in Italian history, they began ruling in the year 1534 when Alessandro Farnese became Pope Paul III.
"Anthony Milo" is the name of the main character and was inspired by the legendary Greek athlete "Milo of Croton". He is depicted in Italian Baroque painting as a partly naked, muscular figure, his hands stuck in a tree trunk. He is either alone or about to be attacked by a lion.
The Roaring "Lion" Sculpture that appears in the film is located adjacent to Baker Field at Columbia University in Manhattan. The main character has to pass by it before one of the films final scenes. It has stood on Baker Field since 1895.
The Four Horsemen, the nickname taken by the four members of the track relay team in the film, from the Bible's Book of Revelation in reference to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The first athletes to call themselves "The Four Horsemen" played football for Notre Dame.
Director Christopher Summa also served as the Cinematographer, he integrated the following film stocks, video and still film formats to create a unique visual texture for the story. - Kodak Color 16mm film - Kodak Black and White 16mm film - Hi8mm Color Video transferred to 16mm film - 35mm Still Film Photography - 16mm BW Reversal film
Official Selection of the 2001 Sundance Film Festival