the fresh films reviews

S I N C E   1 9 9 7










 

Runaway Train (1985)

Directed by:
Andrei Konchalovsky
COUNTRY
USA/Israel
GENRE
Drama/Action/
Thriller
NORWEGIAN TITLE
Runaway Train
RUNNING TIME
111 minutes
Produced by:
Yoram Globus
Menahem Golan
Written by (based on a screenplay by Akira Kurosawa):
Edward Bunker
Djordje Milicevic
Paul Zindel


Cast includes:

CHARACTER ACTOR/ACTRESS RATING
Manny Jon Voight ½
Buck Eric Roberts
Sara Rebecca De Mornay
Frank Barstow Kyle T. Heffner ½
Warden Ranken John P. Ryan ½
Dave Prince T. K. Carter
Eddie MacDonald Kenneth McMillan
Ruby Stacey Pickren
Boxer Danny Trejo
Jackson Tommy 'Tiny' Lister

 

Review

In the 1980s, art was cold and detached. Here is the pinnacle of how these elements could enhance the expression, in contrast to several films in which the aloofness gave the films a sense of dehumanisation. In the timeless Runaway Train, director Andrei Konchalovsky uses a seemingly dehumanised starting point (two convicts in a remote maximum security prison) and makes their world and mentality – an alleged animalized existence – seem very close and tangible. It is an allegoric film of existential proportions, given life by Konchalovsky's acrimonious images and Trevor Jones' suggestive score, but at the same time, Runaway Train is one of the most successful realizations of the action film model. Here, the action (notably in a remarkable finale) accentuates the larger and symbolic value of the story instead of standing in its way. And the power and timelessness of the story makes Runaway Train a film which can more than endure the march of time, despite the odd contemporary slip-up. The performances are stylistic powerhouses, with Voight arguably giving his final substantial role to date and Roberts hitting career high (perhaps tied with It's My Party)

Copyright © 23.9.2008 Fredrik Gunerius Fevang

[BACK TO INDEX]

[HAVE YOUR SAY]