HIGH ICE (1980, USA, 98m, PG) ***
Adventure, Drama
dist. National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (USA), Ambassador (UK); pr co. ESJ Productions; d. Eugene S. Jones; w. Sy Gomberg, Jack Turley (based on a story by Natalie R. Jones and Eugene S. Jones); pr. Eugene S. Jones, Natalie R. Jones; ph. Robert E. Collins (Colour | 1.37:1); m. Robert O. Ragland; ed. George Hively.
cast: David Janssen (Glencoe MacDonald), Tony Musante (Lt. Col. Harris Thatcher), Madge Sinclair (Dr. Pittman), Gretchen Corbett (Liz), James G. Richardson (Scott), Allison Argo (Kathy), Dorian Harewood (Lt. Zack Hawkins), Warren Stevens (MSgt. Lomax), Katherine Cannon (Sandy), James Canning (Lt. Foster), James Kaufman (Lt. Foley), Danny Chambers (Ranger Boyd), Byron Patt (Ranger Lawson), Jeffrey Prather (Tom), Zachary Lewis (Glennie), Michael Cunningham (Morgan), Maxine Cooper (Peggy), Rick Dominy (Pete), John Brill (Crew chief #1), Bill Young (Crew chief #2).
Released theatrically outside of the USA, this made-for-TV adventure sees forest ranger (Janssen) and an Army officer (Musante) clash during a search-and-rescue for trapped climbers (Richardson, Corbett and Argo). Some breathtaking photography and excellent stunt work help to offset the deficiencies in the script. The climbers are portrayed as remarkably stupid and as such garner little investment from the viewer in their predicament. Star Janssen is criminally underused as he is isolated for much of the story. Ragland’s music score feels like stock as it fails to add to the tension. The saving grace is the well-shot mountain action, notably in the exciting climax. A mixed bag then, but one that has its moments of interest. Released theatrically outside of the USA. Home video version runs 104m, including an added gratuitous nude scene and some unnecessary flashback exposition.
