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The Iceman Cometh

Play trailer Poster for The Iceman Cometh PG Released Oct 10, 1973 3h 59m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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.

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The Iceman Cometh

Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review Steve D Long slow and a sad end for some greats. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 12/26/23 Full Review 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 Full Review Audience Member ok version of this but i prefer the 1960 version Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
The Iceman Cometh

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Cast & Crew

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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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The Iceman Cometh

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Movie Info

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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