Iceman (1984)

Academy Award winner Timothy Hutton and John Lone star along with Lindsay Crouse in this suspenseful drama about a team of Arctic researchers who find a 40,000 year-old man frozen in ice and bring him back to life. Anthropologist Stanley Shephard (Hutton) wants to befriend the Iceman (Lone) and learn about the man's past; Dr. Diane Brady (Crouse) and her surgical team want to discover the secret that will allow man to live in a frozen state. When the Iceman becomes part of their lives, the results are both moving and emotionally shattering. Shot on location in Canada's breathtaking snowy wilderness, Iceman uncovers life's greatest mystery.

Amazing performances

I really felt that I was somehow witnessing what would really happen if we found a frozen caveman and were able to revive him. It's a truly unique experience and a pleasure to watch such realistic acting - which doesn't feel like "acting" at all - in such an "un-realistic" setting. It's fascinating and entertaining - I highly recommend it! February 10, 2008

the classic iced caveman film....

...this has to be one of the best 'caveman' films ever made. it has dated in a few places - notably 'computer game' entertainment (but hey it is set in a base in antartica, maybe they're a bit behind!!) but otherwise it stands up very solidly. Fred Schepisi directs it incredibly well with awesum photography and pace. The real win is Hutton and Lone - their performances are (i think) the best of both their careers! John Lone's make up is on the Neandertal side of cro magnon but realistic and captivating, only enhancing an electric performance. Timothy Hutton is brilliant as the misunderstood anthropologist and the cast around them is outstanding.
Overall a great example of what to expect should we ever discover an iced caveman: scientific arguements, trivial executive powerplays, moral ethics vs medical ethics, privacy abuses, and political/social mindgames! very reminiscent of the situation with Otzi the 'real iceman' whos frozen body was found in the swiss/french Alps.
A thought provoking film that hits its target - i recommend for all interested in our paleo history and our regression as a forward thinking civilization. top marks. July 3, 2007

Good Flick, worth the purchase!

Like many other reviewers, I saw this movie a long time ago, and remembered liking it. So for various reasons that I will not bore you with, I purchased it recently, and was not disappointed. Although the movie actually has less happening in it than I remember (meaning less events), it was surprisingly much more powerful, and much more heart-wrenchingly-sad for me this time around (or perhaps I got more sentimental as I have aged- gasp! ;-).

For many (but not all) people under 25 (the generation that I feel is mainly into special effects, and constant action (be it sexual or violent), and has less appreciation for good dialogue, acting, and plot), this movie may move too slow at times, have too little happening, and will consequently probably have them bored by the end of the movie. However if you are not in the category I mentioned above, and you have a heart that can actually feel empathy for others, and you like something that is thought provoking...If you like a film that will probably get you to reflect on modern and ancient humans, the evolution of religious beliefs, human psychology, human rights, and other deep topics, than this movie, (although it is by no means in the same league with movies like Casablanca) is a good film, and definitely worth the purchase! ...Compliments for the man who played the Iceman- great character acting!
March 12, 2007

A Good, Honest Film

I remember watching this movie somewhere back in the early 90s on free television, when I was around 12 ("Iceman" came out when I was only 3). I thoroughly enjoyed the film then, and, even as young as I was, I was able to comprehend the meaning of the film. When I grew older, I was elated to find the movie was released on DVD. It is in my top 10 movies of all time. This is not to say it is the best movie ever; it is just one of my personal favorites. "Iceman" doesn't care about fancy special effects or all the other traps that big-budget Hollywood movies are littered with. This is one of those films that you watch when you just want to relax and enjoy a good, honest movie with some substance and some good dialogue.

Despite a few plot holes here and there, this movie is about one thing: Mans introspective search for understanding our origins. Any movie that explores that in any capacity gets a nod from me.

True, you only get the movie on this release. There are no bonus features or menus of any kind, but I believe a review should be based mainly on how good the film is or isn't. With that said, let's hope they release a special version in the near future. December 14, 2006

This DVD is in Pan & Scan not Widescreen

A very good story and movie. Ruined by releasing it in Pan & Scan. I ordered it but did not notice the
version was the chopped up "full screen" version. I won't even bother to send it back. It goes in the trash along
with any movie that is not in it's original, uncut, widescreen format. What a waste of a good movie. November 30, 2006

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