Watch Runaway Train

In 1985's Runaway Train, two hardened convicts, Manny (Jon Voight) and Buck (Eric Roberts) escape from their prison cell in Alaska, planning to flee to freedom. They hide in the depths of the prison yard and jump onto a passing train, not expecting the catastrophic events that would unfold. Soon, they discover that the locomotive is on a suicidal mission, hurtling towards oblivion without an operator. As the train picks up speed, they realize that they are trapped and must find a way to stop the unstoppable train before it crashes.

As the story unfolds, we are introduced to Sara (Rebecca De Mornay), a young train attendant at the depot, who is struggling with an abusive relationship. Sara becomes an essential figure in the convicts' efforts to stop the train as they seek her help in communicating with authorities, hoping to stop the runaway train before it’s too late.

The film's storyline is gripping and tense, clenching the viewer's attention right from the beginning. The scriptwriter, Akira Kurosawa, who was one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, presents the story in a straightforward and direct way, without any unnecessary cinematic tricks, relying on the actors' performances and the visuals to carry the viewers through its heart-stopping moments.

Runaway Train showcases the remarkable acting talents of Jon Voight, Eric Roberts, and Rebecca De Mornay. Jon Voight plays Manny with both physical and emotional intensity, bringing to life the complex character with an excellent performance. His counterpart, Buck, is played with equal vibrancy by Eric Roberts. The relationship between Manny and Buck is at the core of the film, and the actors' chemistry works brilliantly to create their unique and compelling dynamic.

Rebecca De Mornay's performance as Sara also deserves mention. She provides a more emotional component to the story, with her character's emotional turmoil adding to the film's depth. Her struggles with her abusive boyfriend, her growing fear for her own life in the face of the runaway train, and her developing connection with the men become integral parts of the film and its impact.

Runaway Train's setting in Alaska also contributes to the movie's tense mood, with its icy landscapes and barren, snow-covered mountains adding to the feeling of isolation and hopelessness as the runaway train hurtles towards destruction. As the train moves along miles of unbroken snow, we hear the howling winds and feel the freezing temperatures of the Alaskan wilderness, giving the film a realistic sense of setting.

The film's music score deserves mention, as it provides the right tone at every moment of the film. The music is an integral part of the movie's emotion, raising the tension and excitement to new heights. The soundtrack, written by Academy Award-winner Trevor Jones, is an excellent combination of orchestra and synthesizers, evoking a sense of danger and urgency that complements the visuals and performances superbly.

Overall, Runaway Train is an outstanding film, one that captures the viewer's attention from the opening scene and refuses to let it go until its powerful ending. It's a genuine action-adventure movie that is also an intense character study. Voight, Roberts, and De Mornay's performances are superb, and the script, cinematography, and soundtrack all work in harmony to create an unforgettably thrilling movie experience.

In conclusion, Runaway Train is a masterful thriller that remains one of the most pulse-pounding action movies of all time. Its gripping story, excellent performances, as well as its soundtrack, and cinematography all combine to make it an unforgettable piece of movie history. This is a must-watch for any fan of action-adventure films, but also for anyone who appreciates excellent storytelling and brilliant acting.

Runaway Train is a 1985 action movie. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 67.