Iron Will (1994)
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62% of critics liked it
(13 reviews) -
61% of users liked it
(33,384 ratings)
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. When his father is accidentally killed, South Dakota farmboy Will Stoneman (Mackenzie Astin) decides to enter the dog-sled race in order… More 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. When his father is accidentally killed, South Dakota farmboy Will Stoneman (Mackenzie Astin) decides to enter the dog-sled race in order to save his family from financial ruin. His mother (Penelope Windust) wants Will to use part of the prospective $10,000 race winnings for college, but Will just wants to save the farm. With the help of Indian handyman Ned Dodd (August Schellenberg), Will begins to train for the race. But the rich mogul underwriting the race, J.P. Harper (David Ogden Stiers), 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 (Kevin Spacey), 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 Scandinavian champion Borg Guillarson (George Gerdes) and the wealthy gambler Angus McTeague (Brian Cox) -- prove to be as much of a challenge to his mettle than any natural obstacles Will might encounter. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Directed By
- Charles Haid
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Kids & Family
- In Theaters
- Jan 14, 1994 Wide
- Studio
- Buena Vista
Critic Reviews
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Common Sense Media Editors, Common Sense Media
Coming-of-age tale for older kids and teens.
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Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
A solid, old-fashioned adventure yarn; nothing special but decent entertainment.
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Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Arctic endurance test will thrill kids.
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Chris Hicks, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
There's something about Iron Will that allows it to transcend the stereotype and become a thoroughly entertaining film in its own right.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Mackenzie Astin
as Will Stoneman
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Kevin Spacey
as Harry Kingsley
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David Ogden Stiers
as J.P. Harper
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August Schellenberg
as Ned Dodd
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Brian Cox
as Angus McTeague
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George Gerdes
as Borg Guillarson
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John Terry
as Jack Stoneman
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Penelope Windust
as Maggie Stoneman
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Jeffrey Alan Chandler
as DeFontaine
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Michael Laskin
as Simon Lambert
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James Cada
as Peter Swenson
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Rex Linn
as Joe McPherson
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Allan R.J. Joseph
as Albert Carey
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Tony Griffin
as Mike Riley
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William John Murphy
as Reporter #2
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Richard Riehle
as Burton
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Benjamin Salisbury
as Scout #1
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Dan Chambers
as Cameraman/Reporter
- Jennifer Shull
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Richard Hughes
as Conductor Brawley