Customer Reviews

Ice Palace [VHS]

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have been looking for a tape of this movie for several years, and now that I have found it, I am overjoyed. I had seen it many times on TV in the past but it has not surfaced there for many years. I think all of the actors and actresses are superb in their roles. No need to say anything else but excellent for Burton, Ryan & Jones, who left us so early in life. I admired the way the story was sprawled out in every aspect, from personal joys & sorrows and the way the all of future family members were woven into the drama to the very end. I especially enjoy a leanthy story when it holds my interest to the very end, which this movie did; even the supporting cast held my interest because of their fine performances. I'm looking forward to finally receiving this favorite.

This is essentially the story line of "Giant" set in Alaska as it approaches statehood. Richard Burton stars as a chip on the shoulder, poor guy who rises to great riches. He enters into conflict with his benefactor and a multi-generational struggle ensues which plays out around the drama of Alaska's statehood.

If only this was on DVD, but we can't have everything. Great story and better than fair acting. When it comes out on DVD I'll be buying it again, if only for the scenery.

Edna Ferber wrote several big, sprawling novels that captured the sights and sounds of particular American places in the 20th century. SO BIG, CIMARRON, SHOWBOAT, SARATOGA TRUNK, and GIANT were all bestsellers, with the first one winning the Pulitzer Prize, and all of them were filmed. SHOWBOAT became one of Broadway's greatest musicals. The first film version of CIMARRON won the Oscar for Best Picture in 1931. The 1956 movie version of GIANT is on just about every list of the greatest American films. Her books inspired other writers, notably James Michener (HAWAII, ALASKA, CENTENNIAL, etc.), to give us history lessons in colorful fiction.

And then there's ICE PALACE. It was her final novel (1958), and it came right after GIANT. The book was another big bestseller, but the 1960 film version was dismissed as--in the words of one critic at the time --"GIANT in snowshoes." This is unfortunate, but understandable. Like GIANT, it tells the huge story of two men (Richard Burton and Robert Ryan) who begin as friends but become enemies in the Alaska Territory in the 40 years leading up to its statehood. They are also rivals for the love of a beautiful woman (Carolyn Jones). The film covers those 40 years and 3 generations of both families (including Martha Hyer, Jim Backus, STAR TREK's George Takei, and a very young Shirley Knight), much like the other story. But there the similarity ends.

ICE PALACE is a melodramatic, over-the-top epic, with broad performances and silly dialogue and an unimaginative director (Vincent Sherman) whose routine staging makes everything seem rather flat. The much-publicized location filming in Fairbanks is limited to a few scenes here and there--everything else was clearly done on Hollywood soundstages (check out those painted backdrops!). And the music by Max Steiner (KING KONG, GONE WITH THE WIND) is not up to his usual level. But, despite all this, it really is fun to watch. You get the fishing industry, racial prejudice, interracial romance, politics, a plane crash, fistfights, an attack by a grizzly bear (okay, a stunt man in a bear suit), perilous births, sudden deaths, the formation of our 49th state, and the 3 stars constantly shouting at one another as they age 40 years in 2-and-a-half hours. It's no GIANT, but it's interesting from start to finish. I'm glad it's finally available on DVD from WB's no-frills Archive Collection. Make a bowl of popcorn and enjoy.

I liked this film because it goes through family generations and conflicts. Despite the fact the main characters fall out - the offsprings have other ideas and we can learn from this - if someone in your family "falls out with another" and you are not involved then carry on as normal I liked this film when I saw it many years ago and wish it were available in the UK or that some of the TV stations here would play it as it is a really good film.

I had seen this movie years ago and found it at amazon, they do not come any better great acting this is what movies are supposed to be....not what they give us now.

I have been looking for this movie for years and years! My mother and I used to watch it on the late, late show on channel 4 in St. Louis MO in the early 60's and it was such a great movie to watch. Well, to tell you the truth I was so young watching the movie with my mother, I could only remember Carolyn Jones because of her beautiful eyes. I went to ask.com and asked about the movie with Carolyn Jones located in Alaska and lo and behold up popped the title, "The Ice Palace." I immediately ordered it on Amazon and they shipped it soooo quickly. I was so excited to watch this movie again. It is a great movie.

This is one good movie. Had a hard time finding it, but it was worth it. Wanted a CD, but VHS was all I found.

I have been waiting for years for this movie to come out on DVD. I ordered this movie on VHS years ago, but now I don't own a VHS player. I love this movie. It is my favorite Dorcas Brower movie. I was excited to watch this movie since my Mom is featured in it. Now I can share this movie with my children.

I have been waiting for so many years for this movie to come out on DVD.
I love this movie. It is my favorite Richard Burton movie. I love the
history of the state of Alaska. I thought, they cast the movie was just
great. I saw this movie many years ago on regular TV, and couldn't wait
to own it. I hope people will enjoy it, as I have.