Iron Will (1994)

A brave young man is thrust into adulthood as he and his courageous team of sled dogs embark on a grueling and treacherous cross-country marathon.

Director:

Charles Haid

Writers:

John Michael Hayes, Djordje Milicevic

Stars:

Mackenzie Astin, Kevin Spacey, David Ogden Stiers

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mackenzie Astin	...	Will Stoneman
Kevin Spacey	...	Harry Kingsley
David Ogden Stiers	...	J.W. Harper
August Schellenberg	...	Ned Dodd
Brian Cox	...	Angus McTeague
George Gerdes	...	Borg Guillarson
John Terry	...	Jack Stoneman
Penelope Windust	...	Maggie Stoneman
Jeffrey Alan Chandler	...	DeFontaine
Michael Laskin	...	Simon Lambert
James Cada	...	Peter Swenson
Rex Linn	...	Joe McPherson
Allan R.J. Joseph	...	Albert Carey
Alvin William 'Dutch' Lunak	...	Gabriel Carey
Tony Griffin	...	Mike Riley

Storyline

When Will Stoneman's father dies, he is left alone to take care of his mother and their land. Needing money to maintain it, he decides to join a cross country dogsled race. This race will require days of racing for long hours, through harsh weather and terrain. This young man will need a lot of courage and a strong will to complete this race.

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Plot Keywords:

racing | dog movie | family relationships | father son relationship | mother son relationship | 

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Taglines:

The Uplifting True-Life Story Of Courage, Determination And Triumph!

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Genres:

Adventure | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for adventure action

Did You Know?

Trivia

The trains used in the movie were from the Lake Superior Railroad Museum (LSRM) in Duluth. Due to the fact that they were actual operating trains, actors could not operate as engineers or the conductors. They were all volunteer employees of the museum. Some of them still work there (As of August 2004).

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Goofs

At the train station when Will is leaving, his hair alternately switches between slicked back and hanging down framing his face.

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Quotes

Will Stoneman: You're not so bad after all.
Harry Kingsley: Don't go soft on me, kid.

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Crazy Credits

The character played by David Ogden Stiers is misspelled in the end credits as "J. P. Harper" despite being referred to as "J. W." throughout the movie.

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Connections

Featured in Troldspejlet: One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1995)

User Reviews

Iron Will

I like this movie for its' basic "realism" It looks like America might have looked in 1917 attitudes included. The irasible Storekeeper who Will works for pretty well sums up the local attitude after the Newspaper man Kingsley sent arrives " Where's the box? " He asks, assuming young Stoneman has died in the course of the race. " Don't You get the Newspapers here ? " the shocked reporter responses and passes him several.

I enjoyed Mackenzie Astin's performance, but it didn't surprise me, He's Sean's brother and the son of John Astin and Patty Duke who both did a fair bit of acting. David Ogden Stiers' character was almost strictly Charles Winchester. I also liked Kevin Spacey's reporter out for the "big story" who in a sense was the biggest underdog of all... Imagine getting to page One in the midst of a World War from the K 9 section. uplifting , though not too believable. There's also that scene where wealthy gambler Angus McTeague visits Will in the dog shed and offers him 3000 dollars to drop out of the race. The Boy is sorely tempted and after He leaves, lead dog Gus gives him a almost disgusted look and Will says " I didn't take it... did I ?" No. young Stoneman is not cowed by anyone or anything but Gus the dog and is not all that nice... just human. Could it really happen ? doubtful, but then it is Disney.

Details

Official Sites:

Disney's Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 January 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Iron Will

Filming Locations:

Bingham, Maine, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,313,406, 17 January 1994

Gross USA:

$21,006,361

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$21,006,361

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1