Iron Will

Iron Will is a 1994 American adventure film. It is based on the true story of the 1917 dog-sled race from Winnipeg, Manitoba to Saint Paul, Minnesota, a 522 mi (840 km)-long stretch and part of the "Red River-St. Paul Sports Carnival Derby." The protagonist of the film, Will Stoneman, depicts the story of the 26-year-old American racer, Fred Hartman, although a few elements of the character resemble the 22-year-old Albert Campbell, the Métis man who won the race and whose father had died shortly prior. The film is directed by Charles Haid, and stars Mackenzie Astin, Kevin Spacey, David Ogden Stiers, George Gerdes, Brian Cox, John Terry, Penelope Windust and August Schellenberg. In the film, a teenager is thrust into adulthood when desperate family circumstances compel him to enter a lucrative yet dangerous cross-country dog race. Despite numerous odds against him, including harsh weather, hostile competitors, and uncooperative dogs, he strives to continue forward; getting help from unlikely sources along the way, he is shocked to learn that not only he, but the whole country, is inspired and hopeful to see his own "iron will" come to fruition at the finish line.