THE RUNNING MAN (1987)

MORGAN'S RATING

Arnold Schwarzenegger is running for his life in this high-tech futuristic action-adventure. The year is 2019. Television is now ruling people's lives. In the 21st Century, the most popular audience participation game show is "The Running Man"-- where convicts can win pardons instead of parting gifts by defeating murderous henchmen known as stalklers. The stalkers haven't had much of a challenge lately...until Ben Richards came along. Wrongly convincted of slaughtering 1500 innocent people, Richards is the next contestant to fight for his life...and his freedom. When "Running Man" host Damon Killan says "come on down!", be prepared to pay with your life! But Ben Richards isn't going down without a fight.

Arnold Schwarzenegger (Ben Richards), Maria Conchita Alonso (Amber Mendez), Richard Dawson (Damon Killian), Yaphet Kotto (Laughlin), Marvin J. McIntyre (Weiss), Jesse Ventura (Capt. Freedom), Jim Brown (Fireball), Mick Fleetwood (Mic), Erland van Lidth (Dynamo), Gus Rethwisch (Buzzsaw), Professor Toru Tanaka (Subzero), Dweezil Zappa (Stevie), Karen Leigh Hopkins (Brenda), Sven-Ole Thorsen (Sven), Edward Bunker (Lenny), Bryan Kestner (Med Tech), Anthony Penya (Valdez), Kurt Fuller (Tony), Ken Lerner (Agent), Dey Young (Amy), Rodger Bumpass (Phil Hiton), Donna Hardy (Mrs. McArdle), Lynne Marie Stewart (Edith Wiggins), Bill Margolin (Leon), Tony Brubaker, Billy D. Lucas (Soldiers), George P. Wilbur (Lt. Saunders), Thomas Rosales Jr. (Chico), Franco Columbu (911 Security Officer), Lin Shaye (Propaganda Officer).

A GAME NOBODY SURVIVES. BUT SCHWARZENEGGER HAS YET TO PLAY.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Paul Michael Glaser. WRITERS: Steven E. de Souza, and based on the novel by Richard Bachman (Stephen King). PRODUCERS: George Linder and Tim Zinnemann. EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Keith Barish and Rob Cohen. ORIGINAL MUSIC: Harold Faltermeyer. DISTRIBUTOR: Artisan Entertainment.

FACTS

RELEASE DATE: November 13th, 1987 (USA) DVD RELEASE DATE: March 16th, 2004 (USA) BOX OFFICE OPENING: $8.1 million (USA) BOX OFFICE RESULT: $38.1 million (USA) BUDGET: $27 million (USA) - Game show host Damon Killian is played by Richard Dawson, a long-time host of the American game show "Family Feud". - Pop Singer Paula Abdul did the choreography for the dancers. - This film is loosely based on a novel written by Stephen King that he penned under the pseudonym of Richard Bachman. He wrote the story in 72 hours, and it was published with virtually no changes. - Was originally supposed to be filmed in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with Christopher Reeve cast in the role of Ben Richards and George P. Cosmatos as director. When the producers decided to move the production to Los Angeles, Arnold Schwarzenegger was recast in the role. Direction was begun by Andrew Davis, but he was replaced early on by director Paul Michael Glaser. - Features two actors who went on to be US State Governors. In November 1998, Jesse Ventura was elected Governor of Minnesota; in October 2003, Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected Governor of California.

QUOTES

Damon Killian: This is television, that's all it is. It has nothing to do with people, it's to do with ratings. For fifty years, we've told them what to eat, what to drink, what to wear...for Christ's sake, Ben, don't you understand? Americans love television. They wean their kids on it. Listen. They love game shows, they love wrestling, they love sports and violence. So what do we do? We given 'em what they want! We're number one, Ben, that's all that counts, believe me. I've been in the business for thirty years.

Amber: They're running men. Last season's winners. Fireball: No. Last season's losers

Ben Richards: I'm not into politics. I'm into survival.

Amber: I warn you I get sick. Car sick, air sick. And I'm going to throw up all over you. Richards: That's Ok. On this shirt it won't show.

Damon Killian: Hello, this is Killian. Give me the Justice Department, Entertainment Devision.

Damon Killian: You bastard! Drop dead! Ben Richards: I don't do requests.

Richards: Killian! I'll be back! Damon Killian: Only in a rerun.

Ben Richards: I live to see you eat that contract, but I hope you leave enough room for my fist because I'm going to ram it into your stomach and break your god-damn spine!

CRITICAL COMMENTS

Ben Richards: [after strangling Sub-Zero with barbed wire] What a pain in the neck.

"Arnold is at his best. Fans, start running." -- Joel Siegel, ABC-TV, Good Morning America

Damon Killian: It's all part of life's rich pattern, Brenda, and you better fucking get used to it.

"Relentlessly trashy big bucks exploitation picture gets a boost from Dawson's sleazy portrayal..." -- Leonard Maltin

Ben Richards: Uplicks on the ground. Uplinks underground. You guys don't shut up, I'm going to uplink your ass...you'll be on the ground!

"One of the most thrilling, action-packed adventures of the year." -- Rex Reed, At the Movies

Ben Richards: If you're not ready to act, give me a break and shut up!

"The best action movie of the year. Don't miss it." -- Pat Collins, WOR-TV, New York