Marathon Man
"Hoffman and arch-villain Olivier are superb." -Leonard Maltin, TV Movies & Video Guide
From William Goldman's best-selling novel comes one of the most daring and affecting thrillers ever brought to the screen. Oscar® winner Dustin Hoffman (Rainman) plays the likeable graduate student and marathon runner of the title, unwillingly trapped in a killing game of intrigue involving a Nazi fugitive, Christian Szell. Laurence Olivier received an Academy Award® nomination for his chilling portrayal of the sadistic Szell, who turns dental instruments into tools of torture with dispassionate ease. Directed by John Schlesinger and featuring an all-star cast, Marathon Man moves with nail-biting suspense to its thrilling fever-pitched conclusion. Co-starring Roy Scheider and William Devane.
Member Reviews
Just enjoy the ride don't try to decipher it - vadim
This is a solid thriller with great performances by Olivier and Hoffman. The character of Szell is ingenious because what can be scarier than a Nazi dentist. However, there a few plot holes and inconsistencies that emerge in th picture. It is best to enjoy the film for what it is a 70's paranoia thriller rather than trying to decipher each character's motives and actions.Unconventional performances and shooting style - kap0n3
It was remarkable to watch this film recently and really observe that it is the anti-film. All of the acting is understated and real and gritty. The stakes are so high and the tension is exhilarating. the scene in the diamond district is so arresting it gives you chills. Why can't the modern system of film-making allow for movies like these? How is our system so fatally flawed? Something has got to give soon! It will probably be the internet that brings the entertainment moguls to their knees and heralds a new form of film-making. But because the studio system has so many players with so many needs, it's almost impossible to make a pure movie within that system. Future filmmakers stand up! It's up to you. Onward!Does It Hold Up 30 Years Later? Decently. - Poustman
I felt that seeing this movie for the first time (as I did) in 2006 was a bit unfortunate. It felt like it was probably really, really compelling viewing when it was initially released, and doubtless those who have seen it over the years were also impacted strongly. The acting remains top-notch, some legendary performers, and the score I thought was really good. The filmmaking overall was solid, William Goldman (the grand old man of screenwriting) wrote a strong script, and so on.
The only reason it doesn't hold up better is, I think, because action/suspense movies have continued to ratchet up their emotional and visceral impact, and this movie remains a product of a somewhat more restrained period. Still, if you can suspend your callouses, so to speak, it's reasonably gripping.
Member Reviews
Read All...
Just enjoy the ride don't try to decipher it - vadim
This is a solid thriller with great performances by Olivier and Hoffman. The character of Szell is ingenious because what can be scarier than a Nazi dentist. However, there a few plot holes and inconsistencies that emerge in th picture. It is best to enjoy ...Unconventional performances and shooting style - kap0n3
It was remarkable to watch this film recently and really observe that it is the anti-film. All of the acting is understated and real and gritty. The stakes are so high and the tension is exhilarating. the scene in the diamond district is so arresting it gives ...Does It Hold Up 30 Years Later? Decently. - Poustman
I felt that seeing this movie for the first time (as I did) in 2006 was a bit unfortunate. It felt like it was probably really, really compelling viewing when it was initially released, and doubtless those who have seen it over the years were also impacted ...