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The Running Man (1987)

6.6
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Ratings: 6.6/10 from 74,999 users  
Reviews: 189 user | 93 critic

A wrongly-convicted man must try to survive a public execution gauntlet staged as a TV game show.

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(novel), (screenplay)
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Title: The Running Man (1987)

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1 win & 4 nominations. See more awards »

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Edit

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
William Laughlin
...
Fireball
...
Erland van Lidth ...
Dynamo (as Erland Van Lidth)
Marvin J. McIntyre ...
Harold Weiss
Gus Rethwisch ...
Buzzsaw (as Bernard Gus Rethwisch)
Professor Toru Tanaka ...
Subzero
...
Mic
...
Stevie
...
...
Brenda
...
Sven (as Sven Thorsen)
...
Lenny (as Eddie Bunker)
Edit

Storyline

Set in a totalitarian society. Ben Richards is a cop who was blamed for a massacre which wasn't his fault. He would be sent to prison and breaks out with some other inmates. He tries to escape but the woman whom he dragged into his plan turns him over to the authorities. Damon Killian, who is the host of THE RUNNING MAN a game show wherein convicted felons are given the chance to run to freedom but have to elude the stalkers; men who hunt them down and kill them in gruesome manners. When he learns that Richards has been caught, he wants him to be the show's next contestant. After being brought to Killian, Richards turns him down, Killian then reveals to Richards that his two friends who were in prison with him and who broke out with him have been caught, so unless Richards does the show they will. But on the night of the show, Richards is set to go but Killian also reveals that Richards two friends are going with him. Richards tells Killian that he will be back. But first ! Written by rcs0411@yahoo.com

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Welcome to America in 2025, when the best men don't run for president, they run for their lives. See more »


Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

13 November 1987 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

El sobreviviente  »

Box Office

Budget:

$27,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$38,122,105 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(70 mm prints)| (35 mm prints)

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The ICS armed security guards all wear baseball batting helmets. See more »

Goofs

In the helicopter, Ben says, "I will not kill helpless people"; in the game show with the original "uncensored" footage of the massacre he says, "I will not kill helpless human beings." See more »

Quotes

Ben Richards: Killian! I'll be back!
Damon Killian: Only in a rerun.
See more »

Crazy Credits

Announcer's voiceover: "The Running Man has been brought to you by: Breakaway Paramilitary Uniforms, Orthopure Pure Procreation Pills, and Cadre Cola - it hits the spot. Promotional considerations paid for by Kelton Flame Throwers, Wainwright Electrical Launchers, and Hammond & Gage Chain Saws. Damon Killian's wardrobe by Chez Antoine, 19th century craftsmanship for the 21st century man. Cadre trooper and studio guard's sidearms provided by Colchester, the pistol of patriots. Remember, tickets for the ICS studio tour are always available for class A citizens in good standing. If you'd like to be a contestant on The Running Man, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to ICS Talent Hunt, care of your local affiliate, and then go out and do something really despicable! I'm Phil Hilton. Good night and take care!" See more »


Soundtracks

"Theme from Gilligan's Island"
By Sherwood Schwartz and George Wyle
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

Dated, But still entertains
28 September 2003 | by (United Kingdom) – See all my reviews

This Arnie veichle made in his 80's heyday is one of his better ones, It's a movie based on a Stephen King book of the same name. It stars Arnie as a convicted killer (framed of course!)in the near future - Where TV is everything, He's forced to take part in a sadistic game show called 'The Running man' with an equally sadistic host played by real life game show host Richard Dawson in which convicted killers are chased by 'Stalkers' with Chainsaw's and flametorches who aim to kill the bad guys on National Live TV with the audience going wild and choosing which stalker will make their next kill to win board games and other crap, Stalkers have NEVER been killed on the show - Will Arnie & CO in their silly lycra pants kick the crap outta them? Of course they will

All in all a likeable if dated 80's Arnie Flick

My Rating 8/10


18 of 25 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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Recent Posts
Same plot as Hunger Games grintster-babe
Blu-Ray chingon_85
100 things we learned from The Running Man.... mikepcls
Good Lord, what an awful film! flightsuit
If they remade, who would you cast as Ben? dpeters6
So how did last seasons 'winner' win ? jon-698
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