Iron Will
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| Iron Will | |
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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 |
| Distributed by | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Release date(s) | January 14, 1994 |
| Running time | 108 min. |
| Language | English |
| Budget | unknown |
| IMDb profile | |
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 fulfil 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, 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
A rousing Disney dog-sled adventure based on a real life event -- a 522-mile dog-sled race between Winnipeg, Canada and St. Paul, Minnesota that occurred in 1917.
Will Stoneman is the teenage son of farmers. He and his father often mush into town for deliveries. On one journey, Will's father, Jack, hits a patch of thin ice and falls into a river. When his dogs and his son are unable to pull him out, Jack cuts the rope to allow the dogs to escape. Unfortunately, Jack's action causes his own death. 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.P. 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 Icelandic 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] Tagline
The Uplifting True-Life Story Of Courage, Determination And Triumph!
[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
[edit] Quotes
- Maggie Stoneman: Ten thousand dollars Will, you don't have to die for it. If we lose the farm...
Will Stoneman: Then we'll lose it fighting.
- Ned Dodd: You have to run longer, sleep less. It's your only chance.
- Will Stoneman: How do I know who to trust?
Ned Dodd: Trust the dogs.
- Ned Dodd: When you face the thing you fear, let the Creator guide you.
- Ward: Will, that was incredible!
Becky: Incredibly foolish! You could have been killed Will Stoneman.
Will Stoneman: Well how many times is there an army truck in the middle of the street? I've been coming around this corner my whole life and has there ever been an army truck in the middle of the street?
Soldier: Nice piece of runnin' there. So, how old are you pal?
Will Stoneman: Seventeen
Soldier: Think you'll be ready to fight a war in a year?
Will Stoneman: I'm ready now, uh, war with who?
[Soldier laughs]
Soldier: Stay alive buddy, your country might need you.
- Jack Stoneman: "If you want something, you gotta go out and grab it. Don't let fear stand in the way of your dreams, son."
[edit] Trivia
- David Beford, the owner of Black Ice Dog Sledding Equipment and real life dog sledder, mushed for "Borg" throughout the movie. He used his own 7-dog team led by "Chase". The filming of his scenes took over 3 months. His wife, Shilon, helped establist the Minnesota Malamute Club.
[edit] Goofs
- At the train station when Will is leaving, his hair alternately switches between slicked back and hanging down framing his face.
- When the two remaining competitors are coming through the woods, a row of modern telephone poles is visible.
