The Running Man is a 1987 American dystopian action film directed by Paul Michael Glaser and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, María Conchita Alonso, Richard Dawson, Yaphet Kotto, and Jesse Ventura. The film is loosely based on the 1982 Stephen King novel of the same name.
The film is set in a dystopian United States in 2017, where a totalitarian government pacifies the populace through violent television shows. The most popular show is The Running Man, a broadcast game show where criminals fight for their lives as "runners", fleeing from armed mercenaries called "stalkers", to earn a government pardon and tropical vacation.
Captain Ben Richards (Schwarzenegger) is a police helicopter pilot who refuses to fire on unarmed food rioters. He is framed for murder and sentenced to life in prison. The government offers him a chance to win his freedom by competing on The Running Man.
Richards quickly realizes that the show is rigged and that the government has no intention of letting him win. He must use all of his skills and cunning to survive the stalkers and expose the truth about the show.
The Running Man is a fast-paced and action-packed film with a satirical edge. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of totalitarianism and the power of the media.
The film was a moderate box office success and has since become a cult classic. It has been praised for its over-the-top action sequences, its satirical elements, and Schwarzenegger's performance.
Trailer
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Cast
- Arnold Schwarzenegger as Captain Benjamin "Ben" Richards
- Richard Dawson as Damon Killian
- María Conchita Alonso as Amber Mendez
- Jesse Ventura as "Captain Freedom"
- Yaphet Kotto as William Laughlin
- Jim Brown as "Fireball"
- Erland Van Lidth as "Dynamo"
- Marvin J. McIntyre as Harold Weiss
- Gus Rethwisch as Eddie "Buzzsaw" Vatowski
- Professor Toru Tanaka as "Professor Subzero"
- Mick Fleetwood as Mick
- Dweezil Zappa as Stevie
- Karen Leigh Hopkins as Brenda
- Sven Thorsen as Sven
- Edward Bunker as Lenny
- Bryan Kestner as Med Tech
- Anthony Penya as Valdez
- Kurt Fuller as Tony
- Kenneth Lerner as Agent
- Dey Young as Amy
- Rodger Bumpass as Phil Hillton
- Dona Hardy as Mrs. McArdle
- Megan Gallivan as Dancer
- Thomas Rosales Jr. as Chico
Director: Paul Michael Glaser
Writers: Stephen King | Steven E. de Souza
Box Office Gross: $38,122,105
Distribution: Tri-Star Pictures
Release Date: November 13, 1987