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Richard Dawson

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The Running Man The Rewatchables
The Running Man poster
The Running Man

Who Won the Movie?

Richard Dawson wins by consensus over Arnold Schwarzenegger because Dawson’s Killian is the surprise performance and a major part of his screen legacy.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:27:03Read transcript
  • Richard Dawson is chosen because audiences would have left the theater surprised by his performance.
  • A separate argument favors Dawson’s stronger performance and the importance of Killian to his screen legacy.
  • The hosts explicitly agree to give the movie to Dawson.
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Richard Dawson
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Richard Dawson
The Running Man The Rewatchables
The Running Man poster
The Running Man

Casting What-Ifs

Christopher Reeve was attached to play Ben Richards in a darker, book-faithful version; Andrew Davis began as director; Chuck Woolery was wanted for Killian before Richard Dawson.

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:05:08Read transcript
  • Christopher Reeve was attached when the story focused on an unemployed man surviving a violent show for thirty days to feed his family.
  • Andrew Davis was fired as director after two weeks, a decision Arnold later called terrible.
  • Chuck Woolery was unavailable for Killian, and Arnold reportedly suggested his friend Richard Dawson.
  • Christopher Reeve is endorsed as a plausible mid-eighties action lead with the physique and ability to deliver the one-liners.
  • The film is judged likely to have been better with Andrew Davis directing.
  • Chuck Woolery’s acting experience is questioned, although his cool television persona suggests potential for an evil character if he could perform the role.
The Running Man The Rewatchables
The Running Man poster
The Running Man

What’s Aged the Worst?

The outdated graphics, context-dependent Richard Dawson stunt casting, weak futuristic guns, Dynamo’s assault scene, Arnold’s reduced physique, and poor dialogue are criticized; Yaphet Kotto’s death scene suffers most from the writing.

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 00:55:35Read transcript
  • The opening graphics look unmistakably cheap and mid-1980s.
  • Richard Dawson’s casting is harder to appreciate without knowing his former game-show stature.
  • The futuristic machine guns sound less intimidating than ordinary contemporary weapons.
  • Dynamo’s abrupt sexual assault on Amber makes the movie turn needlessly dark.
  • Arnold’s reduced biceps and lack of a shirtless scene reflect a back injury rather than character preparation.
  • The dialogue repeatedly undercuts the movie’s visuals and cast.
  • Yafakoto gives a committed death performance but receives a weak final line.
The Running Man The Rewatchables
The Running Man poster
The Running Man

Most Rewatchable Scene

One choice is the six-minute cheerleader, Buzzsaw entrance, Killian entrance, doctored-massacre, and launch stretch; Craig Horlbeck prefers every studio cutaway with Richard Dawson. The escape, Captain Freedom workout, airport, Killian recruitment, stalker fights, old-lady selection, fake Captain Freedom kill, recovered footage, and Killian finale are alternatives.

In the discussion (13)
Approx. transcript time · 00:26:02Read transcript
  • The original Bakersfield footage is praised as setup rather than selected as a rewatchable scene.
  • The Wilshire detention-zone escape and Chico running too early are nominated.
  • Captain Freedom’s workout tape is nominated and called a favorite part of the movie.
  • Captain Freedom’s cheap costume and visible steroid use add to the workout-and-green-room material.
  • Richards taking Amber through a permissive 1980s airport is nominated.
  • Killian asking Richards to volunteer and receiving a blunt refusal is a favorite exchange.
  • The aerobics cheerleaders, Buzzsaw and Killian entrances, doctored massacre, and pod launch are selected as a favorite six-minute stretch.
  • The fight with the ice-themed stalker is fun but feels too short, and the plain-zero line reading becomes part of its appeal.
  • The Dynamo opera fight is nominated mainly for the Christmas-tree and light-bulb insults.
  • The old woman choosing Ben Richards is a brief scene nominee.
  • The fake Captain Freedom murders are nominated as both a deepfake spectacle and a rigged-gambling scandal.
  • The restored Bakersfield footage, Killian’s television speech, and his final exchange with Richards are praised as the ending.
  • Craig Horlbeck chooses any studio sequence in which Richard Dawson hosts the game show. — Craig Horlbeck
The Running Man The Rewatchables
The Running Man poster
The Running Man

Roger Ebert's review

2.5 stars (scale not stated)

Roger Ebert gave The Running Man two and a half stars; the spoken scale is unspecified. His praise for Richard Dawson is also relayed.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:24:09Read transcript
  • The podcast states Roger Ebert’s rating as two and a half stars.
  • Ebert describes the film as an arcade game for the big screen and says Richard Dawson found the role he was born to play.
Displaying all 6 discussions

Films in the archive

The Running Man

1987

Rewatchables episodes featuring their films

Displaying 1 episode