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The Running Man

  • 19871987
  • RR
  • 1h 41m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
151K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,561
640
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man (1987)
Trailer
Play trailer1:54
3 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Action
  • Sci-Fi
  • Thriller
In a dystopian America, a falsely convicted policeman gets his shot at freedom when he must forcibly participate in a TV game show where convicts, runners, must battle killers for their free... Read allIn a dystopian America, a falsely convicted policeman gets his shot at freedom when he must forcibly participate in a TV game show where convicts, runners, must battle killers for their freedom.In a dystopian America, a falsely convicted policeman gets his shot at freedom when he must forcibly participate in a TV game show where convicts, runners, must battle killers for their freedom.
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
151K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,561
640
  • Director
    • Paul Michael Glaser
  • Writers
    • Stephen King(novel)
    • Steven E. de Souza(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Arnold Schwarzenegger
    • Maria Conchita Alonso
    • Yaphet Kotto
Top credits
  • Director
    • Paul Michael Glaser
  • Writers
    • Stephen King(novel)
    • Steven E. de Souza(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Arnold Schwarzenegger
    • Maria Conchita Alonso
    • Yaphet Kotto
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 304User reviews
    • 159Critic reviews
    • 45Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 3 nominations

    Videos3

    The Running Man
    Trailer 1:54
    The Running Man
    Jeff Probst Wants This Celebrity on "Survivor"
    Full Episode 4:07
    Jeff Probst Wants This Celebrity on "Survivor"
    What Roles Has Arnold Schwarzenegger Turned Down?
    Video 3:34
    What Roles Has Arnold Schwarzenegger Turned Down?

    Photos221

    Erland van Lidth in The Running Man (1987)
    Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man (1987)
    Arnold Schwarzenegger, Richard Dawson, and Sven-Ole Thorsen in The Running Man (1987)
    Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man (1987)
    Arnold Schwarzenegger, Richard Dawson, Karen Owens, and Mia Togo in The Running Man (1987)
    The Running Man (1987)
    Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man (1987)
    Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man (1987)
    Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man (1987)
    Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man (1987)
    Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man (1987)
    Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jim Belushi in The Running Man (1987)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Arnold Schwarzenegger
    Arnold Schwarzenegger
    • Ben Richardsas Ben Richards
    Maria Conchita Alonso
    Maria Conchita Alonso
    • Amber Mendezas Amber Mendez
    Yaphet Kotto
    Yaphet Kotto
    • Laughlinas Laughlin
    Jim Brown
    Jim Brown
    • Fireballas Fireball
    Jesse Ventura
    Jesse Ventura
    • Captain Freedomas Captain Freedom
    Erland van Lidth
    Erland van Lidth
    • Dynamoas Dynamo
    • (as Erland Van Lidth)
    Marvin J. McIntyre
    Marvin J. McIntyre
    • Weissas Weiss
    Gus Rethwisch
    Gus Rethwisch
    • Buzzsawas Buzzsaw
    Professor Toru Tanaka
    Professor Toru Tanaka
    • Subzeroas Subzero
    Mick Fleetwood
    Mick Fleetwood
    • Micas Mic
    Dweezil Zappa
    Dweezil Zappa
    • Stevieas Stevie
    Richard Dawson
    Richard Dawson
    • Damon Killianas Damon Killian
    Karen Leigh Hopkins
    Karen Leigh Hopkins
    • Brendaas Brenda
    Sven-Ole Thorsen
    Sven-Ole Thorsen
    • Svenas Sven
    • (as Sven Thorsen)
    Edward Bunker
    Edward Bunker
    • Lennyas Lenny
    • (as Eddie Bunker)
    Bryan Kestner
    Bryan Kestner
    • Med Techas Med Tech
    Anthony Pena
    Anthony Pena
    • Valdezas Valdez
    • (as Anthony Penya)
    Kurt Fuller
    Kurt Fuller
    • Tonyas Tony
    • Director
      • Paul Michael Glaser
    • Writers
      • Stephen King(novel)
      • Steven E. de Souza(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When Rob Cohen purchased the rights to the Richard Bachman novel "The Running Man", he had no idea that Bachman was actually a pseudonym for Stephen King.
    • 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."
    • Quotes

      Damon Killian: There are still two crack stalkers out there. Dynamo and Fireball. Who do you think will make the next kill?

      Elderly Lady: Oh, boy. That's a tough one.

      Damon Killian: Come on. You can do it. Who do you think?

      Elderly Lady: Okay, I think the next kill will be made by... Ben Richards.

      Damon Killian: Agnes, Richards is a runner. You gotta pick a stalker.

      Elderly Lady: I can pick anyone I choose. And I choose... Ben Richards. That boy's one mean motherfucker.

    • 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!"
    • Alternate versions
      An edited version was produced for network TV broadcast in which extreme violence was removed, and certain dialogue was redubbed by the original actors (eg. an expletive Barbera Lux uses at the end of the movie was changed to "Bullsquat").
    • Connections
      Edited into 5 Second Movies: Gamer (2009)
    • Soundtracks
      The Ride of the Valkyries
      from "The Valkyries"

      Music by Richard Wagner

    User reviews304

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Cheesy 80's Brilliance
    (***Potential Spoiler***) The Movie is called Running Man, Its from the 80's, It stars Arnold Schwartzeneger and the Tag Line goes something like "A game nobody survives. But Schwarzenegger has yet to play". Honestly you should know what sort of movie to expect. So if Dumb action movies are not your thing then stay clear and reserve your comments to yourself, if not sit back have a few beers, maybe some Snacks, get a few Friends round and enjoy 90 Minutes of senseless Fun.

    The Film is set in the not too distant future(2017). America is a military controlled state and the citizens are severely oppressed. Arnie plays Ben Richards, a former police officer who is wrongly convicted of the massacre of innocent civilians. Sent to prison, Arnie escapes only to be captured again. His only choice now is to take part in a sinister Game show where Convicted Criminals Face deadly opponents. Along with two other convicts William Laughlin (Yaphet Kotto) and Harold Weiss (Marvin J.McIntyre) and a woman Richards met along the way, Amber Mendez (Maria Conchita Alonso), Arnold must try his best to survive this game show hell.

    Along the way Richards battles Maniacs with Chainsaws, FlameThrowers and Electro bolts. Expect the usual Action and Violence seen in films such as Commando and Predator and of course a few Golden "Arnie" Lines thrown in there all in the pursuit of delivering justice to Richards' Biggest enemy, the game show host Damon Killian (Richard Dawson).

    If you want to watch a cinematic Masterpiece, see Casablanca or The Godfather. If you want to see a film regarded as Art, look at Fellini films. If you want to see a fun action ARNIE film watch the Running Man. Perhaps a bit dated (A not too dissimilar more recent film is perhaps Battle Royale) but arguably this film never gets old as it can be watched over and over again. Is it predictable? Yes. Is it Stupid? Yes. Is it Cheesy? Yes. But is it Fun? VERY MUCH SO, YES.

    7.5/10
    helpful•12
    4
    • TravisChelios
    • Jan 27, 2007

    FAQ6

    • Although this film is futuristic, why isn't everyone fatter?
    • What's the difference between the film and the book?
    • What Did Stephen King think of the film?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 13, 1987 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • Running Man
    • Filming locations
      • Belmont Tunnel - 1304 West 2nd Street, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • TAFT Entertainment Pictures
      • Keith Barish Productions
      • Home Box Office (HBO)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $27,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $38,122,105
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $8,117,465
      • Nov 15, 1987
    • Gross worldwide
      • $38,122,105
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 41 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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