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The Running Man (1987)

R | | Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller | 13 November 1987 (USA)
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A wrongly convicted man must try to survive a public execution gauntlet staged as a game show.

Director:

Writers:

(novel) (as Richard Bachman), (screenplay)

Stars:

, , | See full cast & crew »
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1 win & 3 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
... Ben Richards
... Amber Mendez
... William Laughlin
... Fireball
... Captain Freedom
... Dynamo (as Erland Van Lidth)
Marvin J. McIntyre ... Harold Weiss
... Buzzsaw
... Subzero
... Mic
... Stevie
... Damon Killian
... Brenda
... Sven (as Sven Thorsen)
... Lenny (as Eddie Bunker)
See full cast »
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Storyline

In the year 2017, the world economy has collapsed. The great freedoms of the United States are no longer, as the once great nation has sealed off its borders and become a militarized police state, censoring all film, art, literature, and communications. Even so, a small resistance force led by two revolutionaries manages to fight the oppression. With full control over the media, the government attempts to quell the nation's yearning for freedom by broadcasting a number of game shows on which convicted criminals fight for their lives. The most popular and sadistic of these programs is "The Running Man," hosted by Damon Killian. When a peaceful protest of starving citizens gathers in Bakersfield, California, a police officer named Ben Richards is ordered to fire on the crowd, which he refuses to do. Subdued by the other officers, the attack is carried out, and Richards is framed for the murder of almost a hundred unarmed civilians. Following a daring jail break months later, Richards is... Written by Curly Q. Link

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

game of death | oppression | latina | government conspiracy | police | See All (262) »

Taglines:

Welcome to America in 2019, when the best men don't run for president, they run for their lives. See more »

Genres:

Action | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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  »

Filming Locations:

 »
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Box Office

Budget:

$27,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,117,465, 15 November 1987, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$38,122,105
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

, ,  »
Show more on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(70 mm prints)| (35 mm prints) (4 channels)

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The film inspired TV's American Gladiators (1989) as well as the plot and settings of the Williams arcade game Smash TV (1990). See more »

Goofs

When Killian turns and shouts, "It's time to start running," he takes the microphone away from his mouth halfway through the phrase yet his voice remains the same. See more »

Quotes

[after killing Damon Killian]
Ben Richards: Now that hit the spot.
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 »

Connections

Referenced in T2 3-D: Battle Across Time (1996) See more »

Soundtracks

Paula's Theme
Written and Produced by Jackie Jackson and Glen Barbee
Performed by Jackie Jackson and Glen Barbee
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Although this film is futuristic, why is Amber's apartment filled with cassette tapes in the closet?
Q: Although this film is futuristic, why does no one have a mobile phone?
Q: What Did Stephen King think of the film?
See more »

User Reviews

Dated, But still entertains
28 September 2003 | by – 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
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