Iron Will (1994)

62% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
61% of users liked it
(32,887 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

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 49 min.
Directed By: Charles Haid
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Jan 14, 1994 Wide
On DVD: Apr 23, 2002
Studio: Buena Vista

Critic Reviews

Common Sense Media Editors, Common Sense Media
Coming-of-age tale for older kids and teens.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
A solid, old-fashioned adventure yarn; nothing special but decent entertainment.
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Arctic endurance test will thrill kids.
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.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Dean M

Dakota teen enters the world's most grueling dogsled marathon to save the family farm and earn his college tuition in this gloriously old-fashioned adventure. The picture is beautifully shot, especially the train scenes. The sledding scenes are very good and it is really cold -… More
Dakota teen enters the world's most grueling dogsled marathon to save the family farm and earn his college tuition in this gloriously old-fashioned adventure. The picture is beautifully shot, especially the train scenes. The sledding scenes are very good and it is really cold - you can feel it, and so can the actors judging by the breath. The acting is great, the screenplay is all right, history aside it's not too bad. After all, history can be bleak sometimes, and hope springs eternal, we can always dream and imagine right? I enjoyed Mackenzie Astin's performance, and also liked Kevin Spacey's reporter out for the "big story" who in a sense was the biggest underdog of all.
Jason O

8th grade English teacher, Mrs. McMurphy, made us watch this...and I'm very glad she did! Add this to the list of awesome Disney movies that you don't know are Disney flicks.
Bruce B

Its good to see that in 1994 Excellent and Clean movies were still being put out with the Disney name attached to them, unlike those of this day and age with Disney / Pixtar label. After all old Walt would turn in his grave at some of the modern day Disney films, but this is not one… More
Its good to see that in 1994 Excellent and Clean movies were still being put out with the Disney name attached to them, unlike those of this day and age with Disney / Pixtar label. After all old Walt would turn in his grave at some of the modern day Disney films, but this is not one of them, who ever wrote the plot for this web page is way off base ( matter fact it's a copy from Amazon dot com). This is an excellent movie about a 17 year old boy racing across Canada to St Paul Minnesota in a dog sled race to win $10000 to save his Mom's farm and go to college. All the things in a Disney movie that makes it good including tears (Pass a Kleenex), are found in this movie. This is based on the 1917 Dog Race in Canada combining 2 characters into one. Its worth sitting down with the pop corn and just enjoying, and of by the way you don't have to be a kiddy to enjoy it. 5 stars nothing less.
Dan S

As corny as it is, its a crowd-pleaser, jsut a good Disney movie.
Dannielle A

Contrived and heavy-handed at times. Flows the normal formula. Nothing too spectacular.
Deb S

Mackenzie Astin, a Midwestern farm kid in 1917 enters a grueling Winnipeg, Canada-to-St. Paul, Minnesota dog-sled race so he can save the family farm and have enough money to go to college. Also featuring the great Kevin Spacey as a ruthless reporter covering the sled-race for his… More
Mackenzie Astin, a Midwestern farm kid in 1917 enters a grueling Winnipeg, Canada-to-St. Paul, Minnesota dog-sled race so he can save the family farm and have enough money to go to college. Also featuring the great Kevin Spacey as a ruthless reporter covering the sled-race for his newspaper. Iron Will as he is called overcomes prejudice, harsh weather, evil men and their henchmen as he attempts to win a big sled race. Can he make this dream a reality? Will he outsmart the sinister and evil Swedish man, Ivan von Evilstein and reach the finish line on time? Watch to find out.
RJ M

Based on a true story, this is a thrilling and visually striking adventure movie that is perfect for the entire family. It's good clean fare for kids, with enough action and excitement for adults. Mackenzie Astin gives an earnest performance as Will Stoneman, who in true Disney… More
Based on a true story, this is a thrilling and visually striking adventure movie that is perfect for the entire family. It's good clean fare for kids, with enough action and excitement for adults. Mackenzie Astin gives an earnest performance as Will Stoneman, who in true Disney fashion, competes in a 500 mile dog sled race to save the family farm. Set in the early 1900's it's a throwback to the old school Disney movies with clear cut good buys and bad guys, and simple cause for the audience to rally around. Kevin Spacey plays a newspaper reporter that covers the race, and turns young Will into an American folk hero for his feats during the race. The snow covered lanscapes that the race takes place across are really beautiful. The race itself is exciting, and you can't help but get swept up in it all. The heart of the movie is Will's relationship with his team of dogs, and in particular, his lead dog, a pure white Huskie named Gus. Anyone who loves dogs will be immediately drawn in. It's formulatic of course, but it's done in the finest Disney family movie tradition. You come to root for Will and his team so much, you may very well find yourself on the edge of your seat for the thrilling conclusion to the race.