Main Cast: MacKenzie Astin, Kevin Spacey, David Ogden Stiers, August Schellenberg, Brian Cox
Release Year: 1994
Country: US
Run Time: 109 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
A rousing Disney dog-sled adventure based on a real life event -- a 522-mile dog-sled race between Winnipeg, Canada and St. Paul, Minnesota that occurred in 1917. When his father is accidentally killed, South Dakota farmboy Will Stoneman (Mackenzie Astin) decides to enter the dog-sled race in order to save his family from financial ruin. His mother (Penelope Windust) wants Will to use part of the prospective $10,000 race winnings for college, but Will just wants to save the farm. With the help of Indian handyman Ned Dodd (August Schellenberg), Will begins to train for the race. But the rich mogul underwriting the race, J.P. Harper (David Ogden Stiers), 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 (Kevin Spacey), 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 Scandinavian champion Borg Guillarson (George Gerdes) and the wealthy gambler Angus McTeague (Brian Cox) -- prove to be as much of a challenge to his mettle than any natural obstacles Will might encounter. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
George Gerdes - Borg Guillarson; John Terry - Jack Stoneman; Penelope Windust - Maggie Stoneman; Jeffrey Alan Chandler - DeFontaine; Michael Laskin - Simon Lambert; James Cada - Peter Swenson; Rex Linn - Joe McPherson; Allan R.J. Joseph - Albert Carey; Tony Griffin - Mike Riley; William John Murphy - Reporter #2; Richard Riehle - Burton; Benjamin Salisbury - Scout #1; Dan Chambers - Cameraman/Reporter; Jennifer Shull; Richard Hughes - Conductor Brawley
Credit
Nathan Haas - Art Director, Betty Pecha Madden - Costume Designer, Charles Haid - Director, Joel McNeely - Composer (Music Score), Stephen Storer - Production Designer, William Wages - Cinematographer, Patrick Palmer - Producer, Robert Schwartz - Producer, Michael Hayes - Screen Story, John Michael Hayes - Screenwriter, Djordje Milicevic - Screenwriter, Jeff Arch - Screenwriter
When Will Stoneman's father dies in a mushing accident, he is left to care for his family. Needing money for college and to save the farm, 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.
Will Stoneman, a seventeen year old farmer, often mushes 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. At first Will blames Gus, the lead dog, for his death, but later blames himself. 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.
