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Mackenzie Astin, Kevin Spacey, David Ogden Stiers, August Schellenberg, Brian Cox ... see more see more... , George Gerdes , John Terry , Penelope Windust , Jeffrey Alan Chandler , Michael Laskin , James Cada , Rex Linn , Allan R.J. Joseph , Tony Griffin , William John Murphy , Richard Riehle , Benjamin Salisbury , Dan Chambers , Jennifer Shull , Richard Hughes

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 kille... read more read more...d, 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

Flixster Users

61% liked it

33,076 ratings

Critics

62% liked it

13 critics

PG, 1 hr. 49 min.

Directed by: Charles Haid

Release Date: January 14, 1994

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DVD Release Date: April 23, 2002

Stats: 665 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (665)

  • deano
    March 27, 2011
    deano
    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 - y... read moreou 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.
  • stormyweather980
    September 14, 2009
    stormyweather980
    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.
  • bbcfloridabound
    January 31, 2009
    bbcfloridabound
    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 ... read moreone 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.
  • fb619846742
    October 12, 2007
    fb619846742
    As corny as it is, its a crowd-pleaser, jsut a good Disney movie.
  • crazydannielle16
    May 6, 2008
    crazydannielle16
    Contrived and heavy-handed at times. Flows the normal formula. Nothing too spectacular.
  • xxdebxx
    March 21, 2011
    xxdebxx
    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 hi... read mores 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.
  • moviefan1725
    January 3, 2009
    moviefan1725
    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 f... read moreashion, 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.
  • jscottcorley
    September 6, 2009
    jscottcorley
    Sean Astin's bro does a good job here. Spacey as the reporter is a surprise. Dogsledding is an underrated sport.
  • CinemaQuaker
    June 30, 2008
    CinemaQuaker
    I don't really remember this movie, the one I watched in 4th grade. I now recognize the title, and I remembered that my classmates and I adored this movie.
  • StairwayToTheStars
    February 23, 2008
    StairwayToTheStars
    One of the things I admire in people is courage. That is what the boy, Will, had. Not only courage but determination for what you believe in.

View All Iron Will Reviews

Critic Reviews

Common Sense Media Editors
January 1, 2011
Common Sense Media Editors, Common Sense Media

Coming-of-age tale for older kids and teens. Full Review

Bob Bloom
September 1, 2007
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

A solid, old-fashioned adventure yarn; nothing special but decent entertainment.

Carol Cling
August 5, 2005
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal

Arctic endurance test will thrill kids.

Chris Hicks
January 1, 2000
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. Full Review

Joe Leydon
March 26, 2009
Joe Leydon, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

April 12, 2002
Globe and Mail

Click to read the article Full Review

David Mills
January 1, 2000
David Mills, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Click to read the article Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Iron Will Trivia

  • What actress/actor has a brother named McKenzie who starred in the movie "Iron Will"?  Answer »
  • In the movie Iron Will how does Will get the nickname Iron Will?  Answer »
  • in blades of glory jon heder and what other person preform what is called the iron lotus  Answer »
  • He played Harry Kingsley in ?Iron Will? (1994), D.A. Rufus Buckley in ?A Time to Kill? (1996), and Quoyle in ?The Shipping News? (2001).  Answer »
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