Customer Reviews

Iceman

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Perhaps one of the most underrated movies in film history, Iceman starring Timothy Hutton and John Lone, easily achieves the elements needed to be hailed as one of the best movies ever made. The story is set in contemporary times, as a group of scientists find a prehistoric man frozen in the artic glazier, and are very unexpectedly able to bring him back to life. The setting of the film is contemporary times, but the story of Iceman achieves a much broader spectrum that begins 40,000 years in the past. The prehestoric man holds within him the key to perhaps everlasting life, and it is this issue that drives the scientists to grapple as to what exactly should be done with him. Iceman, unlike the overwhelming majority of films raises many intellectual and ethical issues. It forces its audience to think and debate within themselves and with each other. In the end we as the audience find out that what the Iceman has to offer is not everlasting life, but an immense insight as to what has driven men, what has been important to them, the courage, the bravery, the love and the sense of loss that has been with them as long as they have been on earth

8. ICEMAN (drama, 1984) A team of Arctic-research scientists uncover the body of a 40 000 year old Neanderthal Man frozen in a slab of ice. Miraculously, he is brought to life by Dr. Diane Brady (Lindsay Crouse), and her surgical doctors. The Iceman (John Lone) is placed in an artificial wilderness housing, enclosed from the rest of the world. Anthropologist Dr. Stanley Shepard (Timothy Hutton) is brought in to study the man. However, he goes one stop further by making face to face contact. With the help of Diane, their struggle to identify with the Iceman becomes a personal, and moving experience.

Critique: A visual as well as a 'sound' delight, Iceman is a touching film that brings the naturally in all of us. That film lore feeds our emotions and our intellectual curiosity. Australian director Fred Schepisi provides the lush, snow-covered landscapes with a rich musical tapestry to reside on. Schepisi makes us feel close to the Iceman by placing him in the position of stranger (which is where we, as audience, are on), and surveyor of truth. Although it has the same plot overtones of a Frankenstein's monster dilemma (should a creation be exploited?), it does sway from this by giving us an insight into the Iceman's past. Actor John Lone's debut performance as the Iceman is wholly potent, as a rendition of our 'shadow side'. While Lindsay Crouse for once plays a sensitive scientist. The best moment of the film comes when the Iceman, at last happy, plummets through the Arctic air and comes full circle in his quest. With the film's beautiful soundtrack guiding him.

QUOTES: Iceman: "Pita!!"

I rember watching this movie when I was 13 years old,I loved it it was one of my all time favorites.About five years ago I wanted to buy it or rent it,it was practicly imposible to get a hold of I could not find it anywhere,then one day I came across a small video store that had it and I offerd to buy it from the owner,it was the orignal 1985 tape in perfect condition and to this day you still cant find it anywhere.Itis a shame this movie is so hard to find ,the story,acting and drama is some of the best to be seen.If you can find this movie,get it you don't know what your missing!

Though an excellent film, the release only in a reduced-screen, pan and scan, version is abominable.
I want what any good film collector wants: the release of this fine film in its original 2.35:1 widescreen aspect ratio.
When will the movie producers realize that people who buy DVD films are collectors and don't want to see the films in the "edited" 1.33:1 versions?

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.

When I first saw "Iceman" about 20 years ago, I was touched and cried about the ending. But at that time, I did not understand the deeper message the director was trying to convey to the viewers. When I watched it again, the message hit me like a ton of bricks!

This movie shows us the attitude of human behaviour when Man receives additional knowledge about his past origins. The way the prehistoric man was treated by the "cold-hearted" scientists shows us that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing for immature people. It is like giving matches to a child and expecting the kid to be safe with it. Humanity has progressed in the scientific field but when it comes to moral behaviour, we are primitive in this aspect. (A good example is the countless of wars being fought with the use of destructive weapons over the last century alone)

In short, the reason why I gave this movie a 4 star rating is because there are virtually no extra features of this DVD. There is no commentary by the director or the actors. Anyway, the acting was top-class and I feel that this is one of the most under-rated movies in the 1980's.

I saw this movie in the theatre when it came out - I was sent to see it for an Anthropology class and then returned two more times to see it again because it was so good. A wonderful film, touching and well acted by the main characters. I've remembered it for 20 years.

It's hard to believe, though, that it's not being issued in widescreen. What is this, converted from the VHS? I don't care if there aren't extras, but widescreen is sort of basic these days, don't you think?

As all the others have stated before, PLease re release this film in a respectible Widescreen format for us to enjoy.

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!

Where should science and the mighty greed for money and recognition stop? This movie addresses those issues in a way no movie has before. It bares the truth of what one human being can do for another if you only allow yourself to "feel". Icemans lost heart and bewilderment become your own as you watch the politics unfold around him. Empathy flows from the viewers soul and makes us question our own priorities and values. A must see movie!!