Good start, but then it gets ruined

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Determined hothead airplane pilot Jean Dupre (a fine and credible performance by Nick Mancuso) and the sweet'n'spunky Andrea Spalding (a solid and appealing portrayal by the gorgeous Kim Basinger in an early starring role) find themselves trapped in the expansive Canadian wilderness after their plane crashes while searching for a missing colleague. The pair run afoul of hearty, yet insane, possessive, and reclusive Irish minor Silas McGee and his oddball twin brother Ian. Director Charlton Heston, working from a quirky and engrossing script by his son Fraser, relates the absorbing story at a steady pace, offers a flavorsome evocation of the vast, lush, and desolate sylvan setting, maintains a tough and serious tone throughout, conveys a potent feeling of real danger in the underground tunnel sequences, and delivers a few tense and exciting moments (the plane crash at the beginning in particular is quite startling). Moreover, Heston does first-rate work in a juicy dual role and essays the part of the no-count Silas with deliciously wicked and intense relish. Veteran character actor John Marley lends wonderfully engaging support as wise and crusty old-timer Elijha. The clammy and cramped caves add substantially to the claustrophobic suspense and authentically grimy atmosphere. In addition, there's even a strong central message about how greed and obsession can corrupt a man's soul. Richard Leiterman's sharp cinematography provides an appropriately gritty look, makes inspired use of dim natural light, and comes through with a wealth of striking images of the breathtaking British Columbia countryside. Kenneth Wannberg's moody score hits the brooding and stirring spot. Recommended viewing for those with a taste for something different.

A great movie, my wife and I's favorite since we first saw it in 1982. We liked the name and the character Ian MacGee so much that we named our first son Ian, who is now 19. Of course, I am of Scottish decent, so I loved the character's accent, and the bagpipes. This movie could have easily have had a sequel, such as going back for the gold through a mountain crevasse. One of Mr Heston's finest performances. My first introduction to Kim Bassinger, and she remains as my favorite blonde bombshell actress. We are also biting at the bit to get it on DVD. Hey, Mr. Heston, if you ever read this, please get this movie on a DVD, it will sell like crazy!!! Love it, love it, love it.

I'm particularly a fan of the Pacific Northwest, including the Yukon and British Columbia territories of Canada, and also a fan of old airplanes and bush pilots, so maybe I would have liked this movie even if it didn't have a good plot or acting. However, I think the plot and acting are good as well!

This is a great independent movie the plot was good, and so was the photography. It was too bad that this movie did not have the advertising and promotional backing for more exposure and running length time. Because if it had, this movie would have done better and would be better known that it is! This movie should have gotten more exposure than it did at the time of release!