Iceman
A compassionate anthropologist risks his standing to protect a revived Neanderthal from being reduced to a laboratory specimen.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- thoughtful
- intimate
- poignant
- thoughtful movie night
- 80s science fiction marathon
What critics said
Critics generally found the film intelligent and emotionally compelling, praising its anthropological realism, performances, photography, and ethical premise.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The researchers use modern anthropology and biochemistry to investigate and preserve a revived Neanderthal.
Dr. Shephard defends Charlie against researchers who want to dissect him as a scientific specimen.
The discovery and early containment of Charlie occur amid an arctic exploration setting and glacier environment.
Charlie’s prehistoric identity creates a sustained communication and cultural divide with the research team.
Films like Iceman, and why
Quest for Fire
anthropological realism, prehistoric human survival, and serious dramatic treatment of early humanity
The Clan of the Cave Bear
prehistoric subject matter, anthropology, and tension between scientific observation and human experience
The Man Who Fell to Earth
intelligent science fiction built around ethical questions, scientific institutions, and an outsider confronting modern society
The Elephant Man
emotionally restrained speculative drama about a scientifically extraordinary individual treated as an object by institutions
Movie Details
- Director
- Fred Schepisi
- Release Date
- 1984-04-13
- Runtime
- 100 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (149)
Cast
- Timothy Hutton
- Lindsay Crouse
- John Lone
- Josef Sommer
- David Strathairn
- James Tolkan
- Danny Glover
- Richard Monette
- Amelia Hall
- Philip Akin
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Iceman about?
- A compassionate anthropologist risks his standing to protect a revived Neanderthal from being reduced to a laboratory specimen.
- What is Iceman like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Iceman as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Iceman violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Iceman as mild.
- What did critics think of Iceman?
- Critics generally found the film intelligent and emotionally compelling, praising its anthropological realism, performances, photography, and ethical premise.
- Which films are like Iceman?
- Films with a similar feel include Quest for Fire, The Clan of the Cave Bear, The Man Who Fell to Earth, and The Elephant Man.
- How long is Iceman?
- Iceman runs 100 minutes.
- Where can I watch Iceman?
- In United States, Iceman is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
