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The Iceman Cometh

Play trailer Poster for The Iceman Cometh PG 1973 3h 59m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 12 Reviews 73% 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. 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 06/29/2020
John Frankenheimer's television origins serve him well in his relative restraint in directing the film. Go to Full Review Michael Feingold Village Voice 05/28/2008
We see a fairly dazzling array of performances, built by Frankenheimer cunningly and steadily. Go to Full Review Pauline Kael The New Yorker 05/28/2008
Eugene O'Neill's great, heavy, simplistic, mechanical, beautiful play has been given a straightforward, faithful production in handsome, dark-toned color. Go to Full Review Sean Burns Crooked Marquee 09/14/2024
Despite some striking, classically Frankenheimer compositions, it’s always very much a recording of a theatrical performance. Go to Full Review Jacoba Atlas Los Angeles Free Press 11/21/2019
Although this motion picture version cannot sustain the intensity, it is still an important and compelling event. Go to Full Review TV Guide 05/28/2008
3/4
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Dora C @RT36735347 08/18/2024 This brilliantly acted tragedy leaves an indelible impression, as few plays or movies can. A great work of dramatic art. See more Steve D @RT35616104 12/26/2023 Long slow and a sad end for some greats. See more delysid d @RT67044741 04/19/2019 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? See more 02/14/2014 Absolutely fantastic. See more 04/23/2013 ok version of this but i prefer the 1960 version See more 04/13/2012 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 See more 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

The Iceman Cometh (1973) The Iceman Cometh (1973) The Iceman Cometh (1973) View more photos

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. 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