Sci-fi action thriller, based on the novel by Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman), starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. In the 21st century, America is under totalitarian rule. Ben Richards, a Los Angeles police helicopter pilot, is framed for mass murder by the authorities and sent to a detention centre. But Richards's determination to escape leads to his participation in TV's deadliest show, The Running Man.
Given TV's increasingly desperate search for new programme formats, this futuristic blockbuster about a game show where a pumped-up audience bays for the blood of convicts on a lethal combat course isn't so far-fetched. Arnold Schwarzenegger, busy consolidating his position as the number one action star of the 1980s, plays the former police helicopter pilot who is forced into the game of death when he rebels against his totalitarian superiors. It's a long way from the original Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman) novel, but Schwarzenegger gets to do what he does best - destroying baddies with a quip - and director Paul Michael Glaser - fondly remembered for his role in Starsky & Hutch - handles the action sequences with some panache. Maria Conchita Alonso plays Arnie's reluctant partner, while Richard Dawson steals the acting honours as the slimeball game-show host.
| role | name |
|---|---|
| Ben Richards | Arnold Schwarzenegger |
| Amber Mendez | Maria Conchita Alonso |
| Laughlin | Yaphet Kotto |
| Fireball | Jim Brown |
| Captain Freedom | Jesse Ventura |
| Dynamo | Erland Van Lidth |
| Weiss | Marvin J McIntyre |
| Buzzsaw | Gus Rethwisch |
| Professor Subzero | Professor Toru Tanaka |
| Mic | Mick Fleetwood |
| Stevie | Dweezil Zappa |
| Damon Killian | Richard Dawson |
| role | name |
|---|---|
| Director | Paul Michael Glaser |
