Rotten Tomatoes
Suggestions will appear as you start typing. Submit search Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

The Iceman Cometh

Play trailer Poster for The Iceman Cometh PG 1973 3h 59m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
91% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 72% 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.

Where to Watch

The Iceman Cometh

Critics Reviews

View More
Judith Crist New York Magazine/Vulture Jun 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 May 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 May 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 Sep 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 Nov 21, 2019
Although this motion picture version cannot sustain the intensity, it is still an important and compelling event. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Aug 12, 2005
3/5
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Robert P @Superbad Oct 22, 2026 The Iceman Cometh is a *4* star Movie! See more Dora C @RT36735347 Aug 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 Dec 26, 2023 Long slow and a sad end for some greats. See more delysid d @RT67044741 Apr 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 Feb 14, 2014 Absolutely fantastic. See more Apr 23, 2013 ok version of this but i prefer the 1960 version See more Read all reviews
The Iceman Cometh

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Cast & Crew

View All

John Frankenheimer

Director

Lee Marvin

Theodore "Hickey" Hickman

Fredric March

Harry Hope

Robert Ryan

Larry Slade

Jeff Bridges

Don Parritt

Bradford Dillman

Willie Oban

More Like This

View All
The Great Gatsby 41% 47% The Great Gatsby Watchlist TRAILER for The Great Gatsby Conrack 62% 76% Conrack Watchlist Hard Times 71% 81% Hard Times Watchlist Executive Action 60% 57% Executive Action Watchlist Fat City 100% 83% Fat City Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All

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
Join The Newsletter Join The Newsletter Cookie Settings