Iron Will
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| Iron Will | |
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 Theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | Charles Haid |
| Produced by | Patrick J. Palmer James Ployhar Robert Schwartz George Zepp |
| Written by | John Michael Hayes Djordje Milicevic Jeff Arch |
| Starring | Mackenzie Astin Kevin Spacey David Ogden Stiers August Schellenberg George Gerdes Penelope Windust Brian Cox |
| Music by | Joel McNeely |
| Cinematography | William Wages |
| Editing by | Andrew Doerfer |
| Distributed by | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Release date(s) | January 14, 1994 |
| Running time | 108 min. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $5,313,406 |
Iron Will is a 1994 family film and adventure film directed by Charles Haid. It is based on the exploits of Albert Campbell, who won the 1917 race from Winnipeg to Saint Paul, and Fred Hartman, the American hope in the race. According to Albert Campbell, he won the race to fulfill his father’s dying wish made just two weeks before the race. It stars Mackenzie Astin, Kevin Spacey, David Ogden Stiers, George Gerdes, Brian Cox, Penelope Windust, and August Schellenberg.
When Will Stoneman's father dies in a mushing accident, he is left to care for his family. Needing money for college and to save the farm, he decides to join a cross country dog-sled race. With the aid of Ned Dodd, the young man prepares both physically and mentally for the harsh weather and terrain throughout the race.
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[edit] Plot
Will Stoneman, a seventeen year old farmer, often mushes into town for deliveries. On one journey, Will's father, Jack, hits a patch of thin ice and falls into the strong river below, and almost pulls his dogs in with him. When Will, in an attempt to pull his father out, gets caught in the rope, Jack cuts it, allowing the dogs to escape, and pull Will away. Unfortunately, Jack's action causes his own death. At first Will blames Gus, the lead dog, for his death, but later blames himself. After this, Will must provide for his family. In order to save his family from financial ruin, Will decides to enter a dog sled race. His mother wants Will to use part of the prospective $10,000 race winnings for college, but Will just wants to save the farm. With the aid of Indian handyman Ned Dodd, Will begins to train for the race.
But the rich mogul underwriting the race, J.W. Harper, doesn't want Will to enter, thinking the competition too arduous and too dangerous for such a young boy. To Will's aid comes yellow journalist Harry Kingsley, who convinces Harper to permit Will to enter the race. But Harry also has his own agenda—he sees a great story in Will and thinks it will sell newspapers and advance his journalistic career. With his father's best dog Gus at the head of his dog team, Will is ready and determined to win the race. But Will discovers that winning the race is only half his battle. Dealing with the petty and malevolent human beings involved in the race—in particular, the egotistical Swedish champion Borg Guillarson and the wealthy gambler Angus McTeague—prove to be as much of a challenge to his mettle than any natural obstacles Will might encounter.
[edit] Box office
- U.S. Gross Domestic Takings: $21,006,361
- U.S. Opening Weekend: $5,313,406
[edit] Cast and Characters
- Mackenzie Astin - Will Stoneman
- Kevin Spacey - Harry Kingsley
- David Ogden Stiers - J.W. Harper
- August Schellenberg - Ned Dodd
- George Gerdes - Borg Guillarson
- Penelope Windust - Maggie Stoneman
- Brian Cox - Angus McTeague
- Rex Linn - Joe McPherson
- John Terry - Jack Stoneman
[edit] Quotations
- Maggie Stoneman: Ten thousand dollars, Will, you don't have to die for it. If we lose the farm... we'll lose it fighting.
- Jack Stoneman: Don't let fear stand in the way of your dreams.
- Ned Dodd: Trust the dogs.
