Iron Will is a 1994 family film and adventure film directed by Charles Haid. It is based on the exploits of Albert Campbell, who won the 1917 race from Winnipeg to Saint Paul, and Fred Hartman, the American hope in the race. According to Albert Campbell, he won the race to fulfill his father’s dying wish made just two weeks before the race. It stars Mackenzie Astin, Kevin Spacey, David Ogden Stiers, George Gerdes, Brian Cox, Penelope Windust, and August Schellenberg.
When Will Stoneman’s father dies in a mushing accident, he is left to care for his family. Needing money, he decides to join a cross country dog-sled race. With the aid of Ned Dodd, the young man prepares both physically and mentally for the harsh weather and terrain throughout the race.
Plot
A rousing Disney dog-sled adventure based on a real life event — a 522-mile dog-sled race between Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and St. Paul, Minnesota that occurred in 1917.
Will Stoneman is the teenage son of farmers. He and his father often mush into town for deliveries. On one journey, Will’s father, Jack, hits a patch of thin ice and falls into the strong river below, and almost pulls his dogs in with him. When Will, in an attempt to pull his father out, gets caught in the rope, Jack cuts it, allowing the dogs to escape, and pull Will away. Unfortunately, Jack’s action causes his own death. After this, Will must provide for his family. In order to save his family from financial ruin, Will decides to enter a dog sled race. His mother wants Will to use part of the prospective $10,000 race winnings for college, but Will just wants to save the farm. With the aid of Indian handyman Ned Dodd, Will begins to train for the race.
But the rich mogul underwriting the race, J.W. Harper, 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, 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 Swedish champion Borg Guillarson and the wealthy gambler Angus McTeague — prove to be as much of a challenge to his mettle than any natural obstacles Will might encounter.
Tagline
The Uplifting True-Life Story Of Courage, Determination And Triumph!
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