The Running Man (1987)
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A framed police officer is forced to compete in a deadly, televised game show in a dystopian future.
The story
In a dystopian and totalitarian future United States, the government maintains control through a state-controlled broadcaster that airs a deadly game show called 'The Running Man.' In this program, convicted criminals known as 'runners' must survive pursuit by lethal, themed gladiatorial assassins called 'stalkers.' The story follows Captain Ben Richards, a police officer who has been framed for a crime he did not commit. Forced into the game to survive, Richards becomes an unlikely symbol of resistance against the corrupt government and its manipulative media machine as he navigates the dangerous arena of the show.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 2017, following a global economic collapse, the USA has become a totalitarian state. Captain Ben Richards is framed as the 'Butcher of Bakersfield' after refusing to fire on a food riot. Eighteen months later, he is captured and forced by the host, Damon Killian, to participate in 'The Running Man' to save his friends. He is sent into an abandoned section of L.A. with others, where he must fight various 'stalkers' like Subzero, Buzzsaw, and Dynamo. During the game, he meets Amber Mendez, who is also in the zone. Richards eventually realizes the government is manipulating the broadcast to hide the truth. He joins forces with resistance members to seize the satellite uplink and broadcast the truth. In the climax, Richards defeats the stalkers, exposes the government's lies, and ultimately defeats Killian, while the public realizes the truth of the situation.
- First release year
- 1987
- Runtime (minutes)
- 101
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Paul Michael Glaser
- Writers
- Steven E. de Souza · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Arnold Schwarzenegger · Ben Richards; María Conchita Alonso · Amber Mendez; Yaphet Kotto · William Laughlin; Richard Dawson · Damon Killian; Jim Brown · Fireball; Jesse Ventura · Captain Freedom; Erland Van Lidth · Dynamo; Marvin J. McIntyre · Harold Weiss
- Genres
- science fiction; action
- Themes
- media manipulation; government corruption; resistance
- Tone and mood
- action-oriented; satirical
- Premise and plot tags
- dystopian; death game; media critique
- Source material / true-story basis
- The Running Man by Stephen King (under his pseudonym Richard Bachman)
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised Richard Dawson's villainous turn and the film's satirical jabs at American media culture, but criticized its repetitive action structure and inconsistent tone. It has been noted for its prescience regarding reality TV and economic inequality.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 45 · scale: 100 · review count: 12
- Production trivia
- The film was originally intended to be directed by George P. Cosmatos with Christopher Reeve in the lead role.; The production featured choreography by Paula Abdul.; The film was sued for plagiarism by the makers of the French film Le Prix du Danger.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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