“It’s time to start running!” Arnold Schwarzenegger is Ben Rogers, a man wrongly convicted by the government he serves, and upon his capture, bargains with “Killian” (a sublime performance by Richard Dawson) to compete in the top-rated, gladiator style, gauntlet of death game show – The Running Man – where contestants who survive are granted a state pardon. When Amber (Maria Chonchita Alonso) finds out that the news story that got Rogers convicted was a frame job, she too is thrown into the televised gladiator maze as a co-conspirator. Yaphet Kotto is Arnold’s running mate, and together they must survive the likes of “Subzero” (Professor Toru Tanaka), “Buzzsaw” (Gus Rethwisch), “Fireball” (Jim Brown), and the legendary “Captain Freedom” (Jessie Ventura). Adapted from a Stephen King story, the film reaches its 30th anniversary, and screenwriter Steven E. de Souza (a man whose films have grossed over $2 billion at the box office) crafted a fast moving, entertaining dystopian world – where a loudmouth television showman could wield tremendous influence. Who would’ve thought.
“The stunts, special effects and timely escapes are flashily directed by Paul Michael Glaser” – Vincent Canby, The New York Times
“That titanic Teuton Arnold Schwarzenegger is back in action in The Running Man, a fast-paced, futuristic purée of Beat the Clock, Max Headroom, professional wrestling and The Most Dangerous Game. Pumped and primed for self-parody, the burly star proves as funny as he is ferocious in this tough guy’s commentary on America’s preoccupation with violence and game shows.” – Rita Kempley, The Washington Post
