IRON WILL

US, 1994, 108 minutes, Colour.
Mackenzie Astin, Kevin Spacey, David Ogden Stiers, August Schellenberg, Brian Cox, George Gerdes, John Terry, Penelope Winddust.
Directed by Charles Haid.

Iron Will it is one of the life-action Disney features of the 1990s. It is a star vehicle for Mackenzie Astin, son of Patty Duke and John Aston, who acquits himself well, a 17-year-old who joins in a sled and dogs race from Winnipeg to St Paul for money to save his mother’s farm after the death of his father.

There is a great deal of attractive location scenery through the snow and mountains of Canada and in Minnesota. And there are action scenes with the dogs racing through the forests, the hardships, the dangers from competitors, the weariness, the courage of the dogs, crossing railway lines. The setting is 1917, with the debate about the US entry into World War I, a great deal of patriotism and flag-waving, with the young man becomiing a hero.

Kevin Spacey, just before his Oscar for The Usual Suspects, is a mercenary newspaper reporter on the entry of the young man into the race. David Ogden Stiers is the organiser. Brian Cox is his friend and rival, adding something sinister to the proceedings.

The film was directed by actor-turned and director, Charles Haid.

1. An entertaining and inspiring family film? From Disney?

2. Based on fact, 1917, the background of World War I, America’s entry, the patriotism, the songs against the Kaiser, enlistments? The race and its propaganda value? American response? Newspapers and headlines? Flag-waving?

3. The location photography, Canada and the United States? Winnipeg? The race trail through the forests and snow? St Paul? The musical score?

4. The action sequences, the sleds, the dogs, the forests, snow, crags, rivers, railway lines? Stunt work?

5. The focus on Will, young man, his parents hopes for him to go to college, his wanting to support his family, love for his father, his father and the dogs,
Gus, the whistle and the melody? His father’s death and its effect? The burden on his mother? The friendship with Ned Dodd, his support?

6. The race, the atmosphere, Will and his decision to enter? With the dogs? The antagonism towards Gus, Gus and the savage attack? Yet Will taking him with the other dogs for the race? The attack on the dogs, Gus being wounded, Will and paste and healing?

7. Arriving late for the entry, the antagonism, the authorities not wanting him to enter, Kingsley and his supplying the money for the entry? The challenge to the organiser for his patriotism and reputation? The other members of the race, Borgen from Scandinavia, his vicious criticisms? His further antagonism during the race, being bribed by Mc Teague, setting the wolf on the dogs, Will and his confrontation, Borgen backing down?

8. Kingsley, his press colleagues, on the train, Kingsley and his cynicism, his hopes for promotion, articles? His writing, supporting Will? Not getting the headlines? The response to Will’s saving the injured man? Front-page? Hero, the results? Lambert and the others and their criticising Kingsley for not having a heart? Will punching Kingsley? Kingsley and the final encounter with Will, waking him after two hours, helping him, changing his attitude? Ensuring that his mother and Ned Dodd were at the finishing line?

9. Will, his character, age, determination? His skills, surviving, with the dogs, the hardships, not lighting fires, eating the fruit cake, little sleep? Rescuing the man and bringing him to the train? Mc Teague and his bribe, Will not accepting? The need for sleep, continuing on, on the railway line and the dangers, the dangers for the young boys, needing the blacksmith to mend the sled, the final race to the finish, the shortcut, the desperate finale, touching the line first?

10. The organisers, Harper, the critique, the different attitudes, the bets? Mc Teague being mercenary, wanting his money, bribing Borgen? Will saving his man, his offering the $3000? Harper and his integrity, supporting Will, winning out in the end?

11. The role of the press at the time, reports, articles? The race, judges using telescopes?

12. In Will’s town, the hostility of his boss, Will and his job, the crash, arriving late? The pompous attitude, thinking that they were bringing Will’s remains?

13. Emotion at the end, the audience willing Will to succeed?