User reviews

Old-fashioned story with a little bit of love story, a little bit of action and a lot of nothing much. Gerald Browne's novel of the same name is the basis of this adventure film, the first of two made by Ernest Day, he was the cinematographer of classics such as Clockwork Orange and Lawrence of Arabia. For his debut, it took years to be released in the United States due to the difficulty of finding a distributor to exhibite this film despite containing a great trio of famous actors at the time. It deals with an expert electronics engineer named Wiley (Ryan O'Neal) leaves New York for Mexico City, where he will meet the beautiful Holbrook (Anne Archer). Together, they will live a whole series of adventures while getting involved with a brutal South American government. In Mexico, both will meet the strange and mysterious Argenti (Omar Shariff) and discover that, right in the hotel where they are staying, there is a magnificent and spectacular collection of emeralds. From here, they will find themselves involved in the dangerous world of Latin smuggling of precious stones...He wanted adventure...She craved revenge...Emeralds held the answer. Driven by lust, greed and revenge . . .to the edge of disaster. The prize. . . A fortune in emeralds!. Hot excitement and gem of a thriller !.

Attractive and decent adventure/intrigue movie with good guy Ryan O'Neal, bad guy Omar Shariff and Anne Archer as the woman in between. A mediocre attempt to make a jolly romantic comedy set against background of torture, murder and rebel guerrillas being fed to the hogs of prisons of Colombia. This agreeable thriller/comedy-adventure blends noisy action, rip roaring, a love story, cliff hunger, and being fun and entertaining enough. Ryan O'Neal gives a sympathetic acting as an American electronics expert get in trouble and plans a heist with his girlfriend and other cohorts. His colleague is the gorgeous Archer; both of whom play a couple of Americans meeting cute in Mexico, then heading for Colombia where she takes over from her missing sister who's working for the rebel cause and he - at first with itchy fingers for the loot- helps her replenish the rebel coffer through a daring heist of emeralds from a strong-hold right out of a James Bond movie with Omar Shariff as a villain to match. Trio de protagonists are well accompanied by nice secondaries, such as: the later very famous John Larroquette, Philip Stone, Michael Sheard and ordinary Mexican actors, such as: Enrique Lucero, Manuel Ojeda and Miguel Ángel Fuentes.

The picture contains spectacular and lively scenarios, some nice stunts and funny lines. It is also worth highlighting the film's catching soundtrack, which marked the first foray into film music by the Rolling Stones' first bassist, Bill Wyman. Colorful and sunny cinematography by Gilbert Taylor, although an urgent and perfect remastering is extremely necessary. Being shot on various locations from Manzanillo, Colima, México, Nueva York, and Studio, some interior scenes: Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, and Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. The motion picture was mediocre but professionally directed by Ernerst Day. He was a notorious cameraman in several films as The Secret Partner, A passage to India, Sphinx , Running scared, The Long Day's Dying and a director assistant as The spy who love me, Operation: Daybreak, Moonraker, The Adventurers. The film will have you on the edge of your seat but the adventure and action never let up. It's a winner for Ryan O´Neal, Anne Archer and Omar Shariff fans. Rating: 5.5/10. Average but passable and acceptable.

Following a James Bond style opening, with sexy emeralds in place of women, GREEN ICE is a breezy seventies Neo-Noir (although not released till the early eighties) starring Ryan O'Neal as a drifter in Mexico who meets his damsel in distress, rich girl Anne Archer...

Her hippie sister (Tara Fellner) had been slain by the same crooked third world officials she and her gang were hiding emeralds from, and so big sister uses O'Neal to find out what happened: Which turns out it has to do with... guess what? GREEN ICE, which millionaire Omar Sharif collects like loose change while exploiting the locals.

Here's where things wane, considerably, going from an involving suspense chase thriller into a pointless class envy melodrama with the reintroduction of the dead little sister's mentor, Miguel, a whining communist revolutionary with a chip on his shoulder this size of a dwarf planet and the politics of a dreamy sixth-grader...

The break-in at Sharif's glass-building high-rise to get back the emeralds, by very bizarre means of hot air balloons (manned by John Larroquette, and with a song playing that sounds worse than Yoko Ono), is where the film never really recovers...

Hell, even the heist is boring, despite Sharif... as kinda/sorta Archer's beau (get it?)... giving O'Neal an initial tour in an intriguing manner. And what a shame: with such an adventurous premise, this might've been really something. (Bill Wyman, bassist of The Rolling Stones, provides the cooler parts of the soundtrack, including an groovy opening instrumental that, alas, on the Album/LP, has singing on it.)

I remember seeing this on HBO and just watching in awe of how well crafted films can be. This film isn't high art in the traditional sense. It came out during the transitional 1970s to 1980s era of one society wanting to be high tech, and another entering the computer age perhaps against its will and without consent. That's important because there's a kind of technological angle that this film uses to further the plot, which was a foretelling of things to come in terms of tech portrayed in films.

But the larger film is a bit long and can be a slog at times, but it's actually quite interesting as the film shows us glimpses of another world. A world where international intrigue shows its seamier side in terms of criminality on both sides of the law; law breakers and those who are supposed to enforce the law.

The film also shows us some of the issues plaguing nations like Columbia, and shows us the extent to which dissident groups will go in order to enable their change for social order. The film shows the truth of such efforts, and the ultimate victors and losers.

I know all of what I wrote sounds kind of high minded, but films in the 70s and 80s were a lot more sophisticated than today's offerings, and more tasteful too. Green Ice has all kinds of tawdry and violent elements that aren't pornographic like a lot of today's media which seem to need to show us, the audience, every sexual act and every bullet striking every body part with every blood splatter.

Green Ice also doesn't rely on a lot of over the top action nor a lot of machine-gun editing nor shaky cam that plagues so much of today's media.

See it once and see what you think.

A poorly developed action adventure film shot largely in Mexico, this affair begins in promising fashion, but after its first of several changes in direction occurs within the plot line, little remains that will interest a viewer. A group of international students (in reality organized supporters of anti-government rebels) is massacred in Colombia by Federales as action opens, while during alternating scenes Joe Wiley (Ryan O'Neal), an American electronics engineer, visiting Mexico to recover from a divorce, meets an affluent socialite, Lillian Holbrook (Anne Archer). When the two become romantically involved, a complicated situation forms since Lillian is being wooed by Meno Argenti (Omar Sharif), a powerful plutocrat who controls the emerald trade for the rotten Mexican government, thus leading to shared distaste between the two men. When Lillian travels to Colombia in quest of her missing younger sister, Joe goes with her, an act not endorsed by Meno who wishes to wed her for personal reasons other than love, and a climactic conflict between the rivals can result only in violence. The screenplay is a hotchpotch with a thread of intended light-hearted romance woven among such disparate themes as murder, torture and sadism, along with grotesquely silly stunts that Joe and his cohorts perform in attempts to foil the evil Argenti. The piece is heavily cut for distribution, and editing is very choppy, increasing the episodic nature of a script that consistently meanders, scenes honouring logic being very rare indeed. The players are somewhat hindered by their cliché laden lines, O'Neal being even more encumbered by a large assortment of electronic and other specialized equipment that is magically available for use in situations requiring derring-do. Camera-work under supervision from cinematographer Gilbert Taylor is strikingly effective and creative but general mistreatment of basic rules of continuity sinks this effort despite its pretty scenic effects.

Green Ice is a caper movie that was made long after the caper movie was in fashion. To say that it is a belated addition to its genre is an understatement. It has an attractive trio of leadings actors in Ryan O'Neal, Anne Archer and Omar Sharif, but they don't seem overly impressed with the material and turn in workmanlike performances at best. The film reeks of indifference.

The story has American electronics expert O'Neal visiting Latin America and being recruited into a scheme to steal emeralds from a Colombian consortium. In true caper movie style, we get to see the plot as it is hatched and the subsequent robbery as it is put into motion.

The attractive locations serve the film well, giving it a pleasant backdrop. However, events in the foreground are less attention-grabbing. The robbery sequence is OK, and there's a half-lively fight at the end, but these are scant pickings compared to the better films in this genre. The story never really builds up to a head of steam. It just ambles along without urgency, and the few enjoyable moments there are come and go all too quickly. The supporting performances are generally bland. This is basically a missed opportunity and a rather dull way to spend your time. If, for some reason, you're absolutely determined to see this film then do; if not, don't go out of your way to find it.

I had never heard about this 1981 movie titled "Green Ice", as I happened to stumble upon it by random chance here in 2024. And seeing that it was an adventure movie that had the likes of Ryan O'Neal, Anne Archer and Omar Sharif on the cast list, of course I opted to sit down and give the movie a fair chance.

Now, the movie is listed as an adventure, which hardly is the case. This movie was a bit all over the place, and was hard to label with a proper genre. Sure, there were light elements of adventure to be seen, but this was hardly an adventure movie. So I was a bit disappointed to find that out.

The storyline in "Green Ice" had potential, but I don't know what writers Edward Anhalt, Ray Hassett, Anthony Simmons and Robert De Laurentiis were thinking here. The storyline was rather incoherent and felt amazingly random and erratic. It was as if the writers were not working together on a single script, but instead worked individually and then handing their work over to directors Ernest Day and Anthony Simmons to piece together into a cohesive movie. The end result was not impressive.

The acting performances in the movie were fair. The movie also had John Larroquette and Philip Stone on the cast list.

While I did manage to sit through the entire movie, I was hardly entertained by what directors Ernest Day and Anthony Simmons delivered. And this is definitely not a movie that I will return to watch a second time.

My rating of "Green Ice" lands on a generous three out of ten stars.

It is a boring, very boring soap opera. The only positive things are: a sexy couple, some few catchy scenes, and almost nothing else.

This film could be only 30-40 minutes instead of 01:45 minutes.

Another disappointment is that you are waiting for some sexy scene and never it comes. Film is leaving many gangs without explanations. Actors appear to play on a soap opera instead on a film that their life is continuously under threat. A very disappointing film. Some scenes are very magnificent and unique. You may see it in fast forward. Actors dont discuss almost anything that is happening on film scenes.

I kid you not, the last time I saw this movie, I could not have been older than eight years old. It still sticks with me, probably because it was one of the first heist/thriller movies I ever saw.

Omar Sharif was all over the place in the movies of that era, most notably (in mind) in "Oh Heavenly Dog!" with Chevy Chase and Jane Seymour. He was a bad guy in that one, too, and I often think of the two movies with a similar nostalgia. This was certainly my first exposure to the beautiful Anne Archer and the underrated Ryan O'Neal. "Green Ice" also gave us a glimpse of John Larroquette before his face and name became widely known.

This is truly a movie which does not deserve to be forgotten. The music is memorably flaky, but not any cheesier than the "Tootsie" soundtrack or any others from that era. A precursor to "Romancing the Stone", "Green Ice" shows off lots of gems, has lots of suspense and thrills, and a truly despicable, yet dimensional villain. And then there's the action. It is not easy to land a hot air balloon on a high rise, let alone break into said high rise without setting off all kinds of alarms. Using a holographic imager to crack the vault was just the coolest of all techno-geek ideas.

To conclude, I have never seen any film made before or after this one (although "Rough Cut" was close) that brings the romance, action, tension, and characters to the audience like "Green Ice" did.

In the Early Eighties ,There was 'Green Ice' which is a surprisingly enjoyable caper that's packed with action - Adventure,and romance, (Ryan O'Neal, plays Joe Wiley a recently divorced Electronics expert, who leaves New York, for the exotic plains of south America, where he meets the beautiful society heiress, Lillain Holbrook,(Ann Archer,

Whilst in the exotic resort of Las Hadas, O'Neal inadvertently becomes involved with Emerald Smuggling, Archer is searching for her peace activist sister, who who is brutally slain in the chilling opening sequence. Omar Sharif,plays Archer's potential but somewhat he sinister Suitor, Meno Argenti, a kingpin banished from the diamond concession but is a big player in the emerald, business,

There is a fantastic sequence, which see's O'Neal and his associate played by the ever brilliant, John Larroquette,travel in a convoy of Custom hot air balloon's to rob Sharif's emeralds,Which are housed in his Voice activated vault, Atop a glistening skyscraper,

Their is excellent Cinematography, throughout this picture particularly the aerial, shots, James Bond credits designer Maurice Binder designs the opening titles which are excellent, Former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman, infuses the film with his brilliant Synth electronic score, Like The Green Emerald's in the film Green Ice Sparkles with excellence

This is one of those movies with a cult following. The plot might sound like something you heard before. But its the charm of this movie that sets it apart from the rest. I have seen this movie over 30 times since 1981 and I never tire of it. Some movies are just a pleasure to watch and listen to. It's like listening to your favorite song over and over. It's laid back and just plain enjoyable without all the stress we often get from modern movies.

Certainly a lot of the credit goes to Bill Wyman for making the score. Ultimately it is what puts the shine on Green Ice.

10/10

When I was 8 years old my family went on vacation to Las Hadas in Manzanillo Mexico. I remember seeing Omar Sharif sitting in the lobby when we checked into the hotel. He was just sitting in a chair in the lobby reading the paper. He said "hello" to us and seemed like a really nice guy.

We also ran into Ryan O'Neal and Farah several times on the beach. One time my 11 year old sister and I approached them for an autograph. Farah said "go away" but Ryan said "sure, no problem" and signed a napkin for us. WTF Farah? Why would anyone be that rude to kids? I don't understand. I guess because it was the early 80's and she was still a big deal. That was when she was every little boys dream instead of the sea monster that she looks like today. I don't hold a grudge though...

My sister and sat by the pool for hours and hours waiting for them to shoot the pool scene at the hotel, so that we could be in the shot. Finally at around 1:00 in the morning (yes, my parents let us stay up that late) they filmed the scene. And after all of that waiting we can't be seen anywhere in the final cut of the movie.

I said all of that to say this... Although this movie was panned by the critics when it came out and was not really (at all) a hit. I still like it because it was my one little bush with fame. I haven't seen the movie in a while but I plan on looking for it on eBay.

This was really a cool little film, not a big budget blockbuster, no but a top of the line B flick. There was some large scale stunts as well as great South American scenery. I bought it used of amazon for like 2 bucks, more than worth that.

In the early eighties films were made without perfectly drycleaned wardrobe, without perfect glamour hair and without enough makeup to paint a world scene. This film is one of those that puts you in the film and away from the soundstage. Granted it's not a masterpiece but the story is solid and the acting and production is pretty good. The synth/spanish soundtrack by Bill Wyman also adds greatly to the Columbian landscapes and characterization (especially Wiley's campy yet likeable theme). Be wary however that there is a long scene involving one of the worst film songs of all time (floating) which will have you grinding your teeth in anguish as you reach for the remote to fast forward through it. Wiley (Ryan O Neal) travels to Mexico and meets Holbrook (Archer), a rich babe who is fiance' to Meno (Sharif). While Meno sucks dry Mexico's supply of Emeralds what he really wants is to return to the diamond concession in South America, using Holbrook to do so. In the process of his work he becomes responsible for killing Holbrook's sister which turns her against Meno thereby teaming her with Wiley to rob Meno's emerald vault. It's a good thief thriller, some laughable moments but not a bore at all.

When I first saw this movie , and I only saw it the one time, I was highly intoxicated with placidyl and early times but I have remembered it through out the years as one of the best pictures that I have ever seen. Though high I remember quite a bit of the story and plot. When I saw it, I had been at the set of a movie called Steel that was filmed somewhat in Lexington ,KY with Lee Majors, and one of the stunt men was killed in a fall scene.That stuck with me, and when I saw Green Ice it all returned, and at the time that I saw GI I felt as though that it was me dangling on the end of that rope when they were making their escape. It is a movie that I will always remember and wish that I could see it just once more in the state that I was in when I first saw it!