The Iceman Cometh

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The Iceman Cometh

PG

1973

3h 59m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

12 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Based on the play by Eugene O'Neill, this drama begins as the sad-sack patrons of a New York City bar await the arrival of salesman and drinking buddy Theodore Hickman (Lee Marvin). Known to the regulars of the watering hole as Hickey, he passionately encourages his fellow alcoholics to give up their pipe dreams and embrace their harsh realities. As Hickey makes his case for letting go of all delusions, to the resentment of his friends, secrets from his own past are revealed.

Judith Crist

New York Magazine/Vulture

John Frankenheimer's television origins serve him well in his relative restraint in directing the film.

Jun 29, 2020

Full Review

Michael Feingold

Village Voice

We see a fairly dazzling array of performances, built by Frankenheimer cunningly and steadily.

May 28, 2008

Full Review

Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

Eugene O'Neill's great, heavy, simplistic, mechanical, beautiful play has been given a straightforward, faithful production in handsome, dark-toned color.

May 28, 2008

Full Review

Sean Burns

Crooked Marquee

Despite some striking, classically Frankenheimer compositions, it’s always very much a recording of a theatrical performance.

Sep 14, 2024

Full Review

Jacoba Atlas

Los Angeles Free Press

Although this motion picture version cannot sustain the intensity, it is still an important and compelling event.

Nov 21, 2019

Full Review

TV Guide

The scene-stealer is Robert Ryan, one of cinema's forgotten great actors. He delivers a superlative performance as the radical with dark reason and fearful purpose, bringing a new, almost heroic dimension to the character.

Rated: 3/4

May 28, 2008

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Dora C

This brilliantly acted tragedy leaves an indelible impression, as few plays or movies can. A great work of dramatic art.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/18/24

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Steve D

Long slow and a sad end for some greats.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

12/26/23

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delysid d

i watched half this thing and i was just bored to death,, what is this? who or what is the iceman? why or how does he cometh?

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/08/20

Full Review

Audience Member

Absolutely fantastic.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

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Audience Member

ok version of this but i prefer the 1960 version

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

This is fantastic play adapted to film. It is long, very long. I like Lee Marvin but he has always been an icon, to me, and not a powerful actor. After this film I still don't he is a very good actor however this role suits him and with the supporting cast he pulls off a very powerful performance. Loved it

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

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John Frankenheimer

Director

Lee Marvin

Theodore "Hickey" Hickman

Fredric March

Harry Hope

Robert Ryan

Larry Slade

Jeff Bridges

Don Parritt

Bradford Dillman

Willie Oban

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Synopsis

Based on the play by Eugene O'Neill, this drama begins as the sad-sack patrons of a New York City bar await the arrival of salesman and drinking buddy Theodore Hickman (Lee Marvin). Known to the regulars of the watering hole as Hickey, he passionately encourages his fellow alcoholics to give up their pipe dreams and embrace their harsh realities. As Hickey makes his case for letting go of all delusions, to the resentment of his friends, secrets from his own past are revealed.

Director: John Frankenheimer
Producer: Ely Landau
Screenwriter: Thomas Quinn Curtiss, Eugene O'Neill
Production Co: Cinévision Ltée, The American Film Theatre
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 10, 1973, Original
Release Date (DVD): Jan 22, 2002
Runtime: 3h 59m

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