Customer Reviews

Runaway Train

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm a railfan -- i try to go to virtually every "train" movie that i hear about. I've seen some mediocre films ("Breakheart Pass"), some Awful Films ("The Cassandra Crossing") and some Pretty Good films ("Silver Streak") that way.

And i saw "Runaway Train" -- an Incredible Film.

With Jon Voight nominated for Both Oscar and Golden Globe (which he won) as Best Actor, and Eric Roberts nominated for both Oscar and Golden Globe as Best Supporting Actor, and featuring Rebecca deMornay in a decidedly UN-glamourous role, this is obviously not your standard action film.

And when one adds that the original screenplay was by Akira Kurosawa, one realises that this is NOT the usual Golan-Globus production at all, at all.

In brief, the story is simple -- two cons, one old and experienced and dangerous and one young, cocky and ignorant, break out of a max security prison in Alaska, hop a train headed for the Lower 48, and find themselves (along with a female railroad worker) on a hair-raising ride to nowhere on a runaway train with no brakes and no engineer.

But the performances and the nuances make this film Something Special Indeed.

Voight's portrayal of Manny, the man so dangerous that for three years his cell door was *welded* shut, is scary, compelling and sympathetic by turns. "Anything that doesn't kill me makes me stronger" is his motto.

Eric Roberts's performance as the cocky young loser, destined to spend major parts of his life inside, who can't even recognise good advice when Manny practically rubs his nose in it, is at almost the same level, and honestly deserving of the "Best Supporting" nominations he earned for it.

John P. Ryan, as Assistant Warden Rankin, Manny's antagonist and would-be nemesis, is adequate, but not up to the level of performance of Voight and Roberts.

In the end, after all of the incredible stunt work and amazing train work, after all of the violence and emotion, it comes down to two big men (Manny and Rankin) finally confronting each other, in one final test to prove which is the stronger.

Along the way, Voight, playing the existential monster to the hilt, gives us a view of a man who knows all too vividly that he long ago chose the wrong road, but also knows that there is no turning back for him.

When the girl screams at him that he is an animal, he replies "No -- Worse! Human!"

He tries to set the kid straight -- tells him that if he's smart he'll find a job flipping burgers or scrubbing toilets, and do it well and earn his pay -- "...and, if you could do that, you could be President of the United States." But the kid knows better -- he wonders why this big tough guy is talking such nonsense; and he doesn't hear the longing in Manny's voice.

And the final confrontation and the end -- after one last, horrifying and exhilirating stunt sequence -- is exactly what the film needs for its perfect conclusion; as exhilirating and appropriate in its way as the end of "Thelma & Louise" or of "Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid".

Be warned -- this is a brutally, horrifyingly violent film (i spent a lot of time wincing and cringing, reacting in a way that most film violence doesn't bother me), and the language used, while probably somewhat less graphic than actual cons would use, is not for Little Old Ladies.

Add in the Almost Perfect portrayal of railroading (there is one major departure from the way a real railroad would Do Things, but it's necessary for the film to work, and it *could* happen, i suppose), some incredible cinematography, and generally perfect design and execution of sets and costume, and you have got one incredible film experience; a thrill ride you will NOT soon forget.

((Knowing that Kurosawa wrote the original screenplay and had intended to make this film himself, i kept trying to guess whether Manny or Rankin would have been played by Toshira Mifune...))

"Runaway Train" is a powerhouse of action and philosophy that grabs the veiwer and never lets go -- even after the film's over. John Voigt stars as "Manney," a hardened criminal who responds to his warden's threats with the classic line "You do what you have to do, and I do what I have to do, and we'll just see what happens." During a fateful escape from an Alaskan maximum security prison, Manney and a neophyte convict end up on a runaway train barrelling through the tundra at over 80 mph. As the plot develops, you realize this is a deeper movie than your average disaster flick. The ugly, frozen, unstoppable locomotive is an allegory for life, and the Runaway Train is actually Manny. He storms along, a furious juggernaught who escapes our prison of culture and comfort, and appears like a crazy man because he's able to face the ugly facts of life, and fights convention instead of accepting it. As the characters race on, Manny delivers salvation to those who don't deserve the punishment of reality, and force-feeds it to the man who does. An awesome movie that makes you think about your existence and how you accept it.

-- Taibunsuu

RUNAWAY TRAIN is one of the rare good movies produced by the Laurel & Hardy of Hollywood production : Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus. An original story of japanese director Akira Kurosawa filmed by Andrei Kontchalovsky, RUNAWAY TRAIN, 14 years after its theatrical release, is still steaming.

With a breath-taking rythm, Jon Voight, Eric Roberts and a Rebecca DeMornay in her prime brunette youth, the Alaskan landscapes that Kontchalovsky transforms in a Siberian goulag, this movie is one of the more brilliant cat and mouse films of the last decades.

Terribly pessimistic movie also since Jon Voight and Eric Roberts will only taste an illusion of liberty. An almighty God, the informatician that controls the railtracks, is leading the runaway train in any direction he wants. The shadow of Akira Kurosawa can be recognized behind this idea of men believing to be free while the Fate has already marked the end of the journey.

The last scene of RUNAWAY TRAIN is a lyrical masterpiece worthy to be compared to the most visionary works of german director Werner Herzog or to the silent films of King Vidor. A haunting vision.

Superb audio and video transfers. Attractive menu and a theatrical trailer.

A frozen DVD.

This film, based on the simple plot of two escaped convicts (JON VOIGHT and ERIC ROBERTS) jumping a train that is just four diesel locomotives coupled together which then speeds out of control through Alaska is very chilling...and very dark. From it's opening credits to the climax ending this film will keep you on the edge of your seats. It will also appeal to the intellectuals out there as Voight's character is very deep, who gives many speeches that reveal intriging aspects of the human soul. i.e:

SARA: If you think you can sacrifice someone else's life instead of you own...you're an animal...

MANNY: No worse, human, human...

Its little moments like this that lift the film out of the realms of the common action-flick and into the annals of the cinematic greats.

But it's not all phisosiphy, this is the best railroad film ever, (and i've seen a few; Death Train, Oh Mr Porter, The Cassandra crossing, Under Siege 2.)the attention to detail is extrodinary, with comments to the runaway locomotive's power settings, control systems etc.

The shooting is supurb, with many grimy, grey images that complement the film's underlying theme. The acting is also of the highest order. Manny (VOIGHT) is very animalistic and wise in the ways of the world. Buck (ROBERTS) is incredably dull-witted and egoistic. Rankin (JOHN.P.RYAN), the prison warden is perhaps more animal than his captives. But perhaps the most stirring performance is delivered by... The train itself. During it's headlong caper it takes on a sinister evil feel (probably due to the fact that it gets constantly beaten up by the elements and collisions with other trains). It looks like the proverbial bat-out-of hell, scarred, dark, frozen over, and evil...It is both our heros gateway to freedom, and ticket to hell...

In concluion this is a film for everyone, a must-see.

I rented this expecting a mindless 2 hours of action flick, and wondering how such a flick could get so many nominations for major awards. Wow was I blown away ! Everything about it was amazing - the acting by Roberts and Voight was superb, and the plot was powerful, to say the least. Add in great scenery and cinematography, and combine that with outrageous stunt work. What does it add up to? One FANTASTIC movie !

Jon Voight, Eric Roberts and Rebecca De Mornay turn in superb gripping performances. They come from 3 different worlds, yet are trapped on this runaway train trying to save their own lives. The two prison escapees (Voight and Roberts) display a wonderful dichotomy of personality - brutal, savage inmates who would kill to get away, while at the same time showing themselves to be decent protective people in their treatment of De Mornay who is a railroad employee who just happened to get stuck on this ride with them.

All the "railroady" scenes are very very good. The mechanical "facts" about the locomotives, the track, and their various attempts to stop or reroute the train, are all done very well and done believably.

The film gains a lot of drama from Alaskan wilderness, the frigid outdoor action scenes, and the big machines rocking and careening through the mountains.

I caught this movie by accident on late-night TV once, and bought this DVD because the movie is so good that I got sick and tired of waiting for it to come around on TV again.

The language is a little coarse, but not unrealistically so. Unlike current worthless Hollywood trash that peppers its scrips with the "F" word purely for shock value, the tough talk in this movie is completely believable and appropriate.

If you like drama, complex personalities, dialog, and a story line where you have to pay attention (instead of just watching cuties and car crashes), buy this movie. Send your drinking buddies and your girlfriend home, turn off the lights, and watch this movie in solitude. You won't be sorry.

If Hollywood kept making movies like this, I'd go to the movies.

I don't hand out 5-star ratings to ANYTHING lightly.

Jon Voight's riveting performance and his battle onboard the train with a prison warden are the most compelling moments in this otherwordly movie about escaped convicts and a railroad employee on a runaway train headed for disaster in the Alaskan wilderness. This film begins with a prison riot -- filmed at an actual prison in Alaska -- and the white hot pace never lets up for a moment...until the closing scene where Voight takes the engine to oblivion.

Along the way, viewers are treated to one of Voight's best performances since "Midnight Cowboy". The cast is comprised of character actors Eric Roberts and John P. Ryan in significant roles with sexpot Rebecca De Mornay playing the railroad employee on board the runaway with convicts Voight and Roberts. They stir up a lot of mayhem running through a red light and crashing with another train and going over a rickety bridge about 100 MPH before facing the inevitable when they are pushed onto a siding with only a fatal end in sight.

This movie has an extraordinarily high intensity level comparable to another great train movie, 1974's "The Taking of Pelham One-Two-Three". The intensity and drama never relents throughout the 111 minutes of screen time. The script isn't much and the plot is lean but the action, violence and high voltage footage will keep you locked to the screen during this most exciting movie.

I saw this film when it first came out in the 80s, and was blown away by it. Jon Voight and Eric Roberts are each riveting in this tale of a prison break that turns into a near hopeless fight for survival.

It is a film that grabs you for a fast ride and does not let go. It is exhausting and riveting, and you will not forget the final scene. Well worth viewing

I'd like to start by saying this is the first DVD I've ever purchased from Amazon.com. I ordered it on a Thursday night, and had it in my mailbox the following Monday, so kudos to Amazon for a speedy delivery at a fair price.

It should be noted that "Runaway Train" was released in late 1985, whereas Amazon has the film being released in '86. Starring Jon Voight (Angelina Jolie's dad)as Manny and Eric Roberts (yes, Julia's brother) as Buck , "Train" is about a couple of convicts who escape from an Alaskan prison and stowaway aboard the first freight train they come across as a means of shelter against the bitterly cold elements, in addition to speeding up their escape. What they don't realize is the train's engineer has suffered a fatal heart attack just as the train is departing the station, leaving it without anyone to control the train's speed or destination. The two fugitives are also pursued from a helicopter by the prison warden(John P. Ryan), who seems to hold a personal grudge against Manny. Rebecca DeMornay, in a decidedly un-glamourous role, plays the role of Sara, a young girl working on the train and inadvertently getting stranded aboard with Manny and Buck. With the train headed for a dead end at a dangerously high rate of speed and the warden hot on the trail of the fugitives, the film achieves a fever pitch of intensity in the closing minutes, and reaches a tragic, yet poetic conclusion.

Both Jon Voight and Eric Roberts received Academy Award nominations for their performances, and Rebecca DeMornay is fine in her smaller role. What makes "Runaway Train" stand out, however, is the beautiful cimematography, among the finest I've ever seen in a film. Watching the train careen through the Alaskan countryside in heavy snowfall, I kept thinking how the entire film could have been about the train traveling through the snow, and I would have enjoyed it just the same. The acting and storyline are a bonus. I find it unusual that most DVD retail chains do not carry "Runaway Train", thus prompting my purchase from Amazon. I would certainly place the film in my top 25 all time favorites category. One bit of warning: The film is rated "R" for graphic violence, and a scene involving Voight's character trying to disconnect one train car from another is not for the squeamish. Regardless, it does not affect my rating. "Runaway Train" is an overlooked gem from the mid '80's and holds up very well today.

Suspenseful, thought-provoking action film. Stellar performances delivered by one and all (even the minor players were up for this one). The driving force of the movie is the personal animosity between hard-core convict Oscar "Manny" Manheim (Jon Voigt) and the prison warden Ranken (John P. Ryan).

After spending three years welded in his windowless cell, mulitple murderer "Manny" Manheim is returned to the general population on a "human rights" appeal by his lawyers. The rancor between Ranken and Manheim is the focus of the first part of the movie with Ranken attempting to kill Manny, and threatening to send Manny out of the prison "in plastic".

The movie finally gets moving when Manny, aided and unwelcomely accompanied by Buck (Eric Roberts) escapes through the prison sewer. After trudging through an Alaskan blizzard, Manny and Buck hop on a train of four deisel engines. As the train is leaving the station the engineer suffers a massive heart attack and accidentally whacks the throttle wide open before falling off the train, and the fun begins!

Ranken is flying high as his obsession with Manny leads him over the edge and into a final confrontation with his nemesis. The warden ironically becomes a prisoner of his own obsession.

The train itself is transformed into some unstoppable, mythic beast bent on destroying everything in its path, and in its belly.

Rebecca DeMornay (who proves she can actually act!) has a decidedly unglamourous role as a railyard worker (Sara) trapped on the train with Manny and Buck after falling asleep in one of the engines.

Buck gets a lesson in life and a lesson in living from Manny.

Manny is forced by Sara to look inside himself and decides he doesn't like what he sees. After being "at war with the world and everyone in it" he finally makes peace with himself and realizes there is only one way he can ever really be free; only one way he can ever be the master of his own fate.

The three runaway trains finally converge to a shared doom at the climax of the movie.