DCSIMG
 
 

The Running Man (1987)

The Running Man (1987)
Play Trailer and Clips
Member Rating:  
Directed by former Starsky and Hutch TV star Paul Michael Glaser, this post-apocalyptic science fiction yarn satirized American entertainment, mocking pro wrestling, game shows, and law-and-order reality programming. Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as Ben Richards, a cop in the totalitarian America of 2019, framed for massacring rioting civilians during a famine. After escaping from jail, Richards tries to prove his innocence, but his efforts are thwarted at every turn by a regime in need of a scapegoat. Richards is captured along with an innocent civilian, Amber Mendez (Maria Conchita Alonso), and they are forced to participate in a violent game show called "The Running Man," hosted by the unctuous Damon Killian (Richard Dawson). The object of the game for Richards and Mendez: obtain freedom by staying alive against a gauntlet of skillful assassins like "Subzero" (Prof. Toru Tanaka) and "Captain Freedom" (Jesse Ventura), each armed with unique weapons like razor-sharp hockey sticks and chainsaws. With the help of some fellow "contestants," Richards is able to tap into government computers and prove his innocence. The Running Man was very loosely based on a short story by Stephen King, who wrote it under the name Richard Bachman. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

 Read More


Starring:
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maria Conchita Alonso, (more)
Director(s):
Paul Michael Glaser
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD  |  Blu-ray
View All Versions to rent and buy
 
 
 
 
 
 

Synopsis of The Running Man

Directed by former Starsky and Hutch TV star Paul Michael Glaser, this post-apocalyptic science fiction yarn satirized American entertainment, mocking pro wrestling, game shows, and law-and-order reality programming. Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as Ben Richards, a cop in the totalitarian America of 2019, framed for massacring rioting civilians during a famine. After escaping from jail, Richards tries to prove his innocence, but his efforts are thwarted at every turn by a regime in need of a scapegoat. Richards is captured along with an innocent civilian, Amber Mendez (Maria Conchita Alonso), and they are forced to participate in a violent game show called "The Running Man," hosted by the unctuous Damon Killian (Richard Dawson). The object of the game for Richards and Mendez: obtain freedom by staying alive against a gauntlet of skillful assassins like "Subzero" (Prof. Toru Tanaka) and "Captain Freedom" (Jesse Ventura), each armed with unique weapons like razor-sharp hockey sticks and chainsaws. With the help of some fellow "contestants," Richards is able to tap into government computers and prove his innocence. The Running Man was very loosely based on a short story by Stephen King, who wrote it under the name Richard Bachman. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
101 mins

Complete Cast of The Running Man


Director(s):
Paul Michael Glaser
Writer(s):
Steven E. de Souza, John Herzfeld
Producer(s):
Tim Zinnemann, George Linder
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R(Not For Children, Violence, Adult Language, Graphic Violence, Profanity)
Categories:
Action / Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

Looking for special editions of The Running Man?
See All Versions
Subtitles:
Check All Versions
Closed Captioning:
Check All Versions
 
 
 
 

BY MAIL

Monthly Subscription
 

IN-STORE

 

ON DEMAND

Blockbuster Instant Video

Watch thousands of movies instantly on your TV, tablet, mobile phone or computer with no monthly subscription. You pay only for what you watch.
 

What's Your Take?

Add to FavoritesIn Favorites  |  Share:     Email to a friendShare on FacebookShare on Twitter
    YOUR REVIEW
    WRITE A REVIEW
     
    1000 
     
    Member Reviews
    Read all (22)
     
    Joshua M.

    This is a pretty good movie compared to the book The Running Man by Stephen King. Yeah some things were different, but I have rarely seen a movie that follows a book exactly. This is still a great classic to go back and watch every now and then. Yeah, some of the movie was pretty cheesy. But hey, it's an 80's movie with Arnold, what did you expect. So funny to see Arnold in his younger days of acting and all the other actors of that time. Who would have though 2 actors on this movie are now Governors. I still say it is a good watch and a must see at least once in your life. I definitely recommend this movie.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Mary R.

    The concept of a gameshow that uses convicts to partake in a sadistic game of death really isn't that far fetched. The running man is a futuristic game show that gives convicted felons a second chance by letting them compete in a gameshow that could ultimately lead to their doom. Runners make their way through a giant arena composed of maybe 100 city blocks with "stalkers" hidden around the corner. They must fight for their lives against these theme based stalkers such as: BUZZSAW, the chainsaw weilding maniac, FIREBALL, the flamethrower psycho, DYNAMO, a fat opera singing guy who can through electricity,.and others. As always, arnold plays a great role as the only runner to win the game and reveal its internal corruption and ultimately cause its downfall after he was blackmailed into participating in the game....cause he was framed for a crime. Great movie, and a must see and own for any hardcore Arnold fan.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Walter R.

    The ending was a little far fetched, even for a game show. The stalkers were out in left field as characters.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 22 Reviews
       

      Rating Systems

       

      Blockbuster

      Find Us Online: BLOCKBUSTER Blog - BLOCKBUSTER Widgets - BLOCKBUSTER RSS FEED - BLOCKBUSTER Facebook Page - BLOCKBUSTER Twitter Page - BLOCKBUSTER Wiki

      Email Exclusives

      BLOCKBUSTER name, design and related marks are trademarks of Blockbuster L.L.C.
        2013 Blockbuster L.L.C. All rights reserved.

      Portions of Content Provided by Rovi Corporation.   2013 Rovi Corporation.