Iceman (1984)

A prehistoric Neanderthal man found frozen in ice is revived by an arctic exploration team, who then attempt to use him for their own scientific means.

Director:

Fred Schepisi

Writers:

Chip Proser (screenplay), John Drimmer (screenplay)

Stars:

Timothy Hutton, Lindsay Crouse, John Lone

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Timothy Hutton	...	Dr. Stanley Shephard
Lindsay Crouse	...	Dr. Diane Brady
John Lone	...	Charlie
Josef Sommer	...	Whitman
David Strathairn	...	Dr. Singe
Philip Akin	...	Dr. Vermeil
Danny Glover	...	Loomis
Amelia Hall	...	Mabel
Richard Monette	...	Hogan
James Tolkan	...	Maynard
Stephen E. Miller	...	Temp Doc
David Petersen	...	Scatem Doc
Judith Berlin	...	E.K.G. Doc (as Judy Berlin)
Paul Batten	...	Technician
Lovie Eli	...	Nurse

Storyline

An anthropologist who is part of an arctic exploration team discovers the body of a prehistoric Neanderthal man who is subsequently resuscitated. The researcher must then decide what to do with the prehistoric man and he finds himself defending the man from those that want to dissect him in the name of science.

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Plot Keywords:

neanderthal | arctic | hibernation | one word title | helicopter | 

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Taglines:

An amazing unforgettable journey of humanity

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Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 April 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ismannen

Filming Locations:

Churchill, Manitoba, Canada

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,836,120, 15 April 1984

Gross USA:

$7,343,032

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$7,343,032

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The age of the iceman in the film was forty thousand years. Seven years after this film was released, a real "iceman" was discovered in the Ötztal Alps in 1991. Named 'Ötzi the Iceman', the real-life iceman had pollen found in his stomach just like the iceman in this film.

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Goofs

When Charlie awakens from his 40,000 year old slumber in his "habitat", it is a 200 foot by 200 foot concrete/glass enclosure with pumped water, fake rock formations and flora and fauna. If they had airlifted Charlie to an area where this modern structure could have been more easily constructed then that would have been believable, but yet they are still in the same arctic outpost. It would take thousands of man-hours to construct this enclosure "just" to accommodate Charlie. Just getting the concrete mix there would be a time consuming and expensive endeavor let alone the other things to trick Charlie into believing he is in his own time era. Unless that "structure" was already there, for what purpose is still unbelievable, no remote outpost like that is ever constructed out of poured concrete, huge steel girders and glass sun roof. They are always pre-constructed sections that connect together.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Title Card: I, who was born to die, shall live. That the world of animals, and the world of men, may come together, I shall live. - Inuit Legend

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Crazy Credits

(opening quote) I, who was born to die Shall live. That the world of animals And the world of men May come together, I shall live. -- Inuit Legend

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Connections

Spoofed in Ice Woman (1993)

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Soundtracks

Heart of Gold
(uncredited)
by Neil Young
Performed by Timothy Hutton, accompanied by John Lone

User Reviews

"I who have died shall live..."

What you think of "Iceman" depends on your general nature. If you are sentimental and deeply moved by stories of great emotion, you'll love it. If you are hard-edged, cynical and opposed to the least bit of softening in life, you'll think it crass. I know what side of the fence I'm on. I loved the movie and was moved to tears the first time I saw it. It still moves me all these years later.

In the high arctic, the remains of a Neanderthal hunter are found perfectly preserved in ice. To the astonishment of the scientists who handle the remains, the capacity for life still lingers in the body. They return the frozen primitive to life in the 20th century...at least 20,000 years after his "death". The revival of "Charlie" sparks a multitude of moral dilemmas for the scientists. Earnest young anthropologist Shepherd wants to know Charlie as a man and bonds with the primitive. Other scientists want to use the special properties of Charlie's blood to preserve human life...a good goal, but they look at him as a specimen.

When Charlie escapes from the special environment prepared for him, havoc ensues, leading to a powerful ending where he tries to complete the quest he started tens of thousands of years ago.

The tale is simple and heartfelt. John Lone gives an astonishing performance as Charlie. His physical movements and primitive vocalizations completely bring to life a man from the dawn of time. Yet we also sense moments of sadness, anger, humor and family pride from him. Thanks to the Academy's snubbing of fantasy/SF films, which would not be erased until the massive success of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy years later, Lone's Oscar-worthy performance was ignored. You will be amazed by the humanity he brings to the role. Timothy Hutton is earnest and sincere as the moral but naive scientist who tries his best to help his Neanderthal friend.

The movie is not perfect...some of the scientific jargon is overdone and I was incredibly annoyed by James Tolkan's constant gum-chewing...but it succeeds in matters of the heart. The ending is sad yet triumphant. If you think about the situation, it was the best possible ending for Charlie given the circumstances.

Anyone with a heart and a sense of wonder should enjoy "Iceman".